THE racing industry in Queensland is mourning the death of former top jockey of the sixties and seventies, Colin O’Neill, in Brisbane overnight.

O’Neill, who had battled ill-health for some time, was the husband of pioneering lady jockey Pam and after weight forced him from the saddle took up training.

In his History of Racing in Queensland, MARK OBERHARDT wrote:

COLIN O’Neill was a heavyweight jockey who had a remarkable career in that he only had about 12 years in the saddle due to weight problems, suspensions and injury.

But he rode more than 500 winners and, during his peak in the lat 1960s and 70s was the darling of Brisbane race crowds.

He was also the regular rider for the last of the great ‘Creekers’ in Red Seas.

His best wins included the Stradbroke Handicap (Prince Medes), Doomben 10,000 (Tipperary Star), QTC Oaks (Aspalita), QTC Sires (Heroic Isle, mr Consistency, Joliffe), Grand Prix (Mighty Keys), QTC Derby (Confidence), Queensland Quineas (Confidence, Waminda, Flying Ace, Persian King), Doomben Dollars (Bengalla Lad, Waminda, Flying Ace), O’Mara Stakes (Confidence, Flying Ace), Healy Stakes (Kalamia), Moonee Valley Gisborne Stakes (Confidence), Ross Stakes (Confidence), Albion Park Cup (Red Season), Albion 2000 (Red Seas), Albion park Mid Week Cup (Red Seas), Gold Coast Cup (Panvale), Piccaninny Stakes (Bonne Martian), BTC Summer Cup (Desert Beau), Hopeful Stakes (Rush Again, Blush d’Or), Sapling Stakes (flying Ace, Kiama Prince), Lonergan Stakes (Flying Ace, Kiama Prince), QTC Toorak (Kalamia, Prince Gauntlet), BTC Captain Cook Stakes (Kalamia), Labour Day Cup (New Zealand), J T Delaney Quality (Ricochete), QTC Lilley Handicap (Rushlands), JHS Barnes Plate (Roman Counsel, Great Exploits), Bremer Stakes (Big Seas), Kialla Stakes (Potent Boy), Bribie handicap (Kalamai), Christmas Cup (Oxford King), Ahern Stakes (Joliffe) and Nolan Handicap (Mirrumbul).