Irish-born Frank Carr, who trained in Hong Kong for six years, has died in England.
Carr, 69, was one of the last trainers to operate at Happy Valley racecourse, reluctantly leaving for Sha Tin when the city track was closed to training in 1978. Although he never had a large string in training, the colourful Carr won races such as the Sha Tin Trophy with Plot Ratio and the San Miguel Silver Tankard with King Of The South. From his Whitewall stables in the Yorkshire racing town of Malton he masterminded a huge and successful plunge in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, a notoriously difficult race to win. He was also responsible for some great touches in Hong Kong, not least 50-1 outsider Mehboob who won for him under his stepson Stuart Morris.
In his time here Carr retained Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Bill Hartack and top Australian rider Kevin Langby. Carr had been troubled for years by emphysema and English winters were a nightmare for him. He frequently returned to Hong Kong in the winter months or travelled to Australia where he also had many friends.