Vale: Jimmy Caffyn

He may never have trained an out-and-out champion, but Jimmy Caffyn was a lot more to harness racing than that.

He was a champion bloke and our sport will be all the poorer with his passing on Sunday, at the age of 84.

Jimmy’s wife and lifelong partner Kay passed away just seven months ago and that hit the former Menangle Park track curator hard.

James Maurice ‘Jimmy’ Caffyn was born on February 6, 1939 and has always been ‘tied’ to Menangle in some form or other.

He was the caretaker and curator of the old Menangle track and also served as a barrier attendant at Harold Park every Friday night, working alongside another long-serving Menangle trackman Owen Mulligan.

According to records at Menangle, Jimmy was on the books as a permanent employee from January 17, 1992 until August 29, 2014 but locals will attest that he was there long before that working as a casual employee.

The square-gaiter Court Fancy was regarded as Jimmy and Kaye’s favourite and the best horse Jimmy trained.

With Jimmy taking the reins, Court Fancy won four races at Harold Park, highlighted by winning the feature 1964 Summer Trotters Cup in grand style.

Court Fancy also finished second to Lucky Song in the 1964 Easter Trotters Cup, as well being placed in a heat and making the Final of the Australasian Trotters Championship held during the Inter Dominion carnival at the Melbourne Showgrounds that year.

Over the years Jimmy raced many horses with Kay as his constant companion either at the races or running an efficient ‘ship’ at home.

His other nice horses included Captains Maid, Frosty Grove, Infalax (mid 1960’s, which Harry Martin often drove for Jimmy), Lord Bronte and David Hanover, which was one of his best pacers, who won a Graduation Championship Final at Harold Park in August, 1977.

Of course Kay Caffyn was part of the famous ‘Binskin’ dynasty from Bankstown.

Her father was top trainer and driver Jack, while her big brother was Club Menangle ‘legend’, John Binskin.

Around the horses all her life, Kay married Jimmy Caffyn and their home became Menangle Park.

Kay actually had a double-cross of harness racing royalty, as Jimmy was the son of the legendary JC (Jim) Caffyn.

Kay’s pride and joy was purchasing a trotter from New Zealand with close friend and neighbour, Harry Martin, back in 1963.

Former long-serving Club Menangle CEO John Dumesny described Jimmy Caffyn as ‘nature’s gentleman’.

“He was a man who would give you his all – and then some,” said Dumesny.

“He was a friend to everyone and there was no-one he wouldn’t lend a hand to.

“Jimmy was one of Menangle Park’s most loyal employees for the best part of two decades.

“He was as reliable as the days were long.

“May he now rest in eternal peace with his dear departed wife Kay.”

His close friend and long-time workmake Owen Mulligan, still going strong after 43 years service at Club Menangle, echoed those comments.

“He was such a loyal servant to the club,” said Owen.

“There’s nothing he woulnd’t do to help you out and we’ll all miss him greatly.

“We worked together for so long he was more like a big brother to me. You could not ask for more from anyone.”

Jimmy and Kay Caffyn were married for more than 64 years and had two sons Shane and Glenn.

National Trotguide, Club Menangle and Harness Racing New South Wales send condolences to Jimmy’s family and friends at this sad time.

The funeral for Jimmy Caffyn will be held on Monday 4 March 2024 at 11.00 am at St James Anglican Church Menangle (131 Menangle Road, Menangle).

by Michael Court, for HRNSW