Anthony Lawrence Riley: 1947 – 2014  by Henri Jooste

Tony Riley a larger than life figure on the South African and Zimbawean Racing Scene Eighties and Nineties during the passed away earlier this week in New Zealand.

Tony had a chequered career encompassing various hands on roles in the industry and was acknowledged as a fine judge of horseflesh the world over. He was a larger than life character who knew how to enjoy himself and his passion and enthusiasm for horse racing was infectious.

One of three brothers, Tony was born into a racing environment, his Irish father Peter Riley was a jockey connected with the Noel Murless stable. The Rileys left England for Kenya when Tony was just 4 years old, his brother Patrick was two years old. Brother Michael was born in Kenya and before long all three brothers were riding on the local pony show circuit. Tony followed in his father’s footsteps and rode his first winner as a twelve year old in Kenya. Peter Riley uprooted the family soon after and headed for Durban where he worked for the great trainer Fred Rickaby. Tony would later make use of Fred Rickaby’s services to assist him select horses at the National Yearling Sales when he operated as a bloodstock agent.

All three brothers became regular work riders on the beach at the Blue Lagoon for local Durban trainers. Tony realised that he would not be able to contain his weight and embarked on a career as a farrier, starting out with Sandy Scott in Durban. During this time Tony became great friends with David Payne and Bertie Hayden who would both go on to become leading jockeys. Tony still maintained contact with David Payne until his last days, David Payne is now a leading trainer on the Sydney circuit in Austrlia. During his time as a farrier Tony shod the legendry Sea Cottage as well as a number of other top class horses for Syd Laird including July Handicap winner Java Head.

A stud career began for Tony when he took on the role of stud manager Deniser Stud in Mooi River where he looked after two stallions and 130 mares !. Tony soon came to the realisation that if he wanted to reach the top as a stud manager he needed to attend a stud managers course and travelled to England to do so at Derisley Wood Stud. Two years later, in 1974,he qualified as the top student and thereafter worked at the veterinary practice of Don Simpson in Newmarket for a year. A stint at the Equine Research Station at Balaton Lodge followed and before returning to South Africa Tony took up employment for National Hunt trainer Harry Thompson-Jones.

On his return to Mooi River Tony Riley took up a stud managers position at Glen Lydon Stud for three years. Eventually Tony ended up in Colesburg before deciding to try his hand at training in Cape Town. It was there that Tony met up with former jockey turned bloodstock agent, Colin Palm. The two decided to join forces and established Baywood Bloodstock and were soon acknowledged as a professional outfit by the industry. Tony had a lot of respect for Colin Palm both as a person and for his ability to select good horses. Two years later in 1982 Tony was back on the move and decided to set up on his own in Durban where he founded A. L Riley Bloodstock. As a bloodstock agent Tony gained widespread recognition for his ability to identify horses for modest sums that would go onto to achieve at the highest level. His success gained him commissions to purchase horses in England and later in Australia and he did not disappoint securing the champions Sunera, Alpine Silk and Ruby Clipper. Perhaps Tony’s most spectacular bargain buy was Pass The Line whom he bought at Hilton Halls dispersal sale for just R500 as a yearling. Trained by his brother Michael, Pass The Line would go on to be a Group 2 winner at two years and then trained on win in the Top Division, place in the Dingaans Handicap, Natal Derby and Frank Lambert Stakes before his premature demise. In all Pass The Line won 9 races and R229 975 in stakes. Another top class horse purchased inexpensively was World Over also trained by brother Michael, World Over won the Group One Administrators Champion Juvenile Stakes on July day.

In 1991 Tony Riley decided to cross the Limpopo and take out a trainers license in Zimbabwe. As to be expected it did not take him long to establish himself as a successful trainer. Tony built up a big string and steadily worked his way up the trainers log to become champion trainer twice and was voted “Racing Personality of The Year” in 1999. It was whilst training in Zimbabwe that Tony bought Ruby Clipper in Australia for one of his patrons. After just one start Ruby Clipper was transferred to South Africa where she went on to become champion juvenile filly.

In 2000 the widely travelled Tony Riley made the decision to take up the challenge of training in Singapore. Together with wife Margie and step son Kenneth they enjoyed four years in the vibrant world of Singapore racing before Tony was struck down by lung cancer. Tony relocated to England to get the best treatment available to beat the disease. Once in remission he and Margie made a move to move to New Zealand and settled in the heart of the thoroughbred breeding industry, Cambridge. Tony tried his hand at Real Estate and both he and Margie became agents in the area. It was inevitable that he would get involved in racing and when his health failed he kept himself busy by dabbling with the odd mare and sold stallion shares and services. In Cambridge Tony struck up a relationship with former Maori All Black Tim Carter who is a successful trainer. Tim Carter and his family accepted Tony as a member of their family and he spent many happy hours at their training establishment and home right up to his final days.

Despite failing health Tony managed to keep his sense of fun and everyone enjoyed his company. A good mate to the end he will be missed by all who have had the privilege to know him all around the world.

Tony is survived by Margie, stepson Kenneth as well as Gregg, Shannon and Paul from his previous marriages in South Africa.