Vale Marty Miles

The Victorian harness racing industry is mourning the death of much-loved owner-trainer Marty Miles, who sadly passed away last week aged 77.

Miles enjoyed a long and successful career in the sport, with Calluna providing his first winner as an owner in 1980 and Gemstone Pat his maiden success as a trainer in 1993.

Horses such as Patrice Vale, Jailbird, Wine Me Up, Pretty Inpink, Gigahertz and Flyin Indi Air gave Miles plenty of joy over the years, but his favourite was undoubtedly Twoforsixty, who would race 175 times for 13 wins and secure more than $100,000 in prizemoney.

“Dad bought him drunk at the sales on Crown lager, hence his stable name was ‘Crownie’,” Miles’ son David recalled with a smile.

“Twoforsixty got his name from Dad telling Mum that if the slabs were on sale, go and get two for $60.”

While in poor health, Miles celebrated his last winner as an owner when Indi Party Mood won with David in the sulky at Bendigo on June 18.

“Dad was a really good sportsman,” David said. “He played VFA at Waverley and trained with the under-19s at North Melbourne but got drafted to Vietnam and couldn’t continue with that.

“He got into horses through Neville Welsh back in 1980 and his first winner was driven by Gordon Rothacker medallist Clinton Welsh, which was one of his very early victories.”

In all, Miles trained 184 winners and owned many, many more.

Miles is survived by wife Laurel, children David, Carmel and Leigh, and grandchildren Alfie, Emily, Steffi, Will, Grace, Cassie and Jed.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at Romsey Recreation Reserve on Friday, July 4 at 1pm.

“My old man hardly had an enemy, he was always the life of the party and always made sure someone had a beer in their hand,” David said.

“There is lots of funny stories about him that will be remembered on Friday.”

Harness Racing Victoria wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to Marty’s friends and family during this difficult time.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV