Everyone in the horse racing community is feeling the loss of Bill Turner, the cherished trainer from Somerset. He passed away at 78 on August 14, 2025, after a tragic accident at his stables. Turner, who used to be a jockey and has won the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster six times—it’s the traditional start of the British Flat racing season—sustained a fractured skull after getting knocked over by a horse earlier this week.

Despite medical intervention, he never regained consciousness. This tragic update was also reported by At The Races on X, who wrote, “We’re sad to learn of the passing of trainer Bill Turner. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”

Turner really knew how to train two-year-olds, and his legacy is solid thanks to his impressive six Brocklesby wins. The last one was with Mick’s Yer Man in 2013, and it was his grandson Ryan While who rode him to victory. He would often say that win was his proudest moment.

Outside of racing, Turner was quite the character. He once broke in a zebra named Zebedee and rode it to his local pub, showing off his fearless horsemanship and quirky charm. His passing really signifies the close of a chapter in the sport of horse racing.

At 78, Turner was still hard at work—re-felting a roof just days before the accident and getting horses ready for sales, showing that unstoppable spirit of the sport. As soon as the horse racing community heard the news, they were completely heartbroken.

The horse racing community mourned the legend

Bill Turner’s passing has hit horse racing fans hard, stirring up a lot of emotions for those who have followed him for years. This comment points out how his impact went beyond just racing, affecting many lives in the sport, as it stated, “Sad news. R.I.P Bill and thoughts with family, staff and all that knew him.” “Oh, that’s really sad to hear. May he rest in peace.” A simple yet heartfelt response read, “Ah that’s sad news may he rest in peace.” Another fan shared, “How very sad. Thoughts with his family, team and friends.”

Kathy, Turner’s daughter, shared the news of his passing in a heartfelt tribute at Chepstow Racecourse. It was a poignant moment as his horse, Red Snapper, raced in his honor just hours after his passing. “He wasn’t just my dad and my sister’s dad and Ryan’s grandfather, he was everyone’s dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad. He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident,” she mentioned.

But this response really makes the loss feel personal by connecting it to a beloved tradition—the Brocklesby Stakes, where Turner shone. It read, “Ah, awful news. I always looked forward to spotting his entries name in the Brocklesby every year.” Another fan shared, “Rip Bill one hell of a trainer.”

Bill Turner’s passing really leaves a gap in the horse racing world, but his legacy continues through the horses he trained and the many lives he impacted. With his wins at Brocklesby and that unforgettable personality, he really captured the essence of the sport. The outpouring of grief—and celebration of his life—proves just how deeply he’ll be missed.