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Racing NSW has been informed of the passing of Ballina trainer Mr Bill Pholi, aged 72.

Bill grew up not far from the Ballina region before becoming a jockey and riding locally. He then commenced training and was very successful, winning numerous Northern Rivers premierships during the 1980s.

Bill also bred and owned horses, and stood a couple of stallions at one stage.

He won seven races with Court's In Session before advising the owners to send the horse to Sydney where, under Guy Walter, he won a further seven races including the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill, and five other Stakes events.

Royal Reign was another top galloper whose victories included the Listed-Tails Quality at Eagle Farm in April 2011 with Chris Munce aboard. The horse won six races for Pholi including two at Doomben and two at Eagle Farm.

Booklet Boy won 10 races for the trainer with five of those at Eagle Farm and he also had success with Shuffle the Cash winning six races, and In Phuket who won five races. Sky Racing's Gary Kliese was his stable jockey for many years.

Mr Pholi won a total of 714 races with 209 of those wins at his beloved Ballina Racecourse. Bill was still training up until last year, although he had downsized considerably, with his last winner being Dash for Van who scored at Murwillumbah in October 2020.

Mr Pholi is survived by his wife Louise and daughters Rebecca and Antoinette.