One of Zimbabwe’s Favourite horseracing son’s has passed. Neil Bruss passed away earlier on Wednesday.

Neil had a rich horseracing heritage with father Les a trainer and founding member of Zimbabwe’s Borrowdale Park, whilst brother Robin is an NHA Director and one of South Africa’s foremost Bloodstock agents, also breeder of current Horse of the Year, Do It Again.

Neil had trained in numerous exotics locations from Madagascar to Saudi Arabia. He cut his teeth in Zimbabwe being their seven time champion trainer. He was also fondly remembered in KZN but felt that the stakes didn’t match the rising costs of racing and set up a base in Saudi.

He had the honor of training two horses to place in the same year at the Dubai World Cup out of Saudi Arabia. One was a South African bred.

In his own right, he was a legend of the African turf and a true son of Africa, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Loved by many and a true talented horsemen, he will be missed.

Jockey Bernard Fayd'Herbe said the following on Facebook, "Grumps,From meeting in Madagascar to sending me to jockey academy, running 3rd in Dubai World Cup with Paris Perfect, living together in Saudi aka rehab, we share some of the best times together. You always had the best advice, even though it wasn’t always the one I wanted to hear. You were no nonsense, straight to the point, never ever beating behind the bush. You were true to your traditional ways, a role model, great father, husband & friend. Rest peacefully Neil Bruss I will miss you dear friend."

Robin Bruss told SAHorseracing.COM, “I have lost my boet (brother) and life will never be the same.”