Sadly one of southern harness racing's stalwarts Gilbert Shirley (Gil) passed away on Sunday aged 84
Gil was a strong supporter of Southland harness racing and began his association with harness racing in the 1950s.
His first win as an owner was at Gore in December 1953, with the trotter White Wings, but he was better known as a successful trainer-driver and breeder.
He trained over 270 winners in a training career spanning five decades, Gil also had more than 50 driving wins during that period.
More recently he trained the good horses Vi Et Animo and Chesterton who between them won 35 races in New Zealand.
Gil also operated the Ascot Stud at Invercargill with Graham Thomas and stood Majestic Chance, the leading New Zealand standardbred stallion in the 1981-82 season.
In 2012 Gil stepped aside from the training role and passed the reins to his son Brent, who is this year preparing Costa Del Magnifico for the New Zealand cup in November.
Costa Del Magnifico is having his first start this season in the Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington on Friday night.
Harnesslink Media