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THE NSW RACING INDUSTRY IS MOURNING THE RECENT PASSING OF MR GRAHAM ORR, 80, ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF RACEHORSE SYNDICATION AND A FRIEND TO MANY

Virginia Harvey (The Land) wrote: In the second half of the 1980s I decided to change my direction within the Thoroughbred industry to an administrative role and this is when I met Graham Orr.

At the time Graham was “pioneering” a new industry phenonium – racehorse syndication, being one of the initiators of the Sydney-based Celebrity Thoroughbreds, and which found success with a number of gallopers Including Celebrity Lover a Marscay filly which won six races.

At Newmarket (UK) in 2012 - (L-R): Geoff Richardson, Lester Piggott and Graham Orr

That venture was among many varying Thoroughbred related roles undertaken by Graham throughout his 80 years of life, the well-known “likeable bloke” recalled after passing away to illness in Richmond, west of Sydney, in January.

Spending his first eight years in India being born in Calcutta, Graham originally trained as an accountant but changed direction and followed his passion into the Thoroughbred industry.

In his young years, he joined the staff of Lionel Israel’s Segenhoe Stud (now Vinery Stud, Scone) as a hands-on employee learning skills and forming friendships some lasting his life.

He received much satisfaction looking after and preparing youngsters that developed into subsequent Group 1 winners of which included Gossiper, Runyon and Egyptian, prior to the property selling in the 1980s.

Graham later contributed as a staff member of bloodstock sales companies including in Brisbane, as well as in William Inglis and Son in Sydney.

At intermittent times, Graham became a journalist having stints writing and selling advertising for “The Land”, “Sydney Morning Herald” and “Turf Monthly”, as well as help revitalise magazine “Australian Thoroughbred” to success in the 1970s.

For a time, Graham also compiled advertising brochures and served as bloodstock adviser to Bob Watson at the historic and renowned Cobbitty holding and now defunct, Roseneath Stud.

Following, Graham joined the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) team – and together with Ray Mason, compiled and produced the green coloured hard-covered AJC Stallion Registers a much needed and valuable publication of the late 1970s and 1980s and which remains in numerous Thoroughbred lovers’ libraries today – including my own.

Also having a stint managing the renowned Hawkesbury Valley nursery Robrick Lodge (of owners Geoff and Beryl White fame) at Castlereagh near Richmond, Graham next moved to Tamworth where he operated his own property agisting horses, as well as sheep and cattle.

Returning to the Hawkesbury in the 2000s, he became involved in Gerry Harvey’s major Australian Thoroughbred operations becoming his racing manager for a number of years. Next Graham was organising overseas jaunts, and jointly with long-time friend Geoff Richardson, initiated GG Racing Tours and led several successful UK tours from 2011.

While he raced only a few gallopers himself, Graham syndicated some talented horses and which included stakes winners Saxon (and Western Australian stud success), Stormhill, Bel Danoro, and Roanoke.

But interestingly, Graham privately purchased Australian Star as a young horse in the late 2000s from well-known industry participant Tony Bott, a principal of the original Segenhoe Stud. Graham raced Australian Star – the gelding by Godolphin’s champion Australian sire Exceed And Excel, with success, the galloper winning five races including three successive Sydney Saturday events.

Rhonda Orr, Graham's wife, penned the following: “We had no formal farewell for Graham, as he wished, just a surprisingly happy family dinner with lots of favourite recollections, which he would have loved, of course.

Graham Orr speaks with jockey Tommy Berry after a win by Australian Star at Rosehill

“The many, many people who knew Graham, also knew what a knowledgeable, experienced and wonderful person he was.

"His love of horses and concern for their welfare was, with a very great love of the racing industry, born in him and remained so all his life.

“His incredible knowledge of thoroughbred bloodlines and skill in compiling Inglis’ famous tabulated pedigrees were an integral part of his early working life.

"The advent of the internet changed pedigree research forever, which led to Graham’s varied career within the racing industry.

“His love of writing about horses was second only to his love of caring for them, especially when he realised his dream of breeding them himself on his own small farm.

"Graham was a modest man who was incapable of blowing his own trumpet, and so was, I believe, undervalued and under-appreciated within the industry.

“He was a thoroughly honest and honourable man, always kind, unfailingly courteous, and friendly and respectful to everyone.

RACING NSW MAGAZINE EDITOR’S NOTE (Mark Brassel): I first met Graham Orr many years ago when he was part of the successful Celebrity Thoroughbreds, one of the first ever syndicating groups.

Graham was always helpful and came across as an extremely knowledgeable and likeable gentleman.

In later years around 2014, Graham wrote regular articles for Racing NSW Magazine mostly on the breeding industry to which he was highly regarded by all. He also wrote pieces on the legendary Dr Percy Sykes and Cliffy Ellis, a ground-breaking Hunter Valley breeder.

Graham’s knowledge was unsurpassed and the following snippet from one of his columns nine years ago is testament to his foresight:

“Just as racers come and go, so do stallions – and racehorses. Nobody appreciates this more than Rosehill wizard, Chris Waller. Chris saw a gap in the market for horses in the 1600 to 2400-metre bracket and the fact that they were not commercial as yearlings, but very worthwhile as racers.

“Chris, with a great team behind him started buying tried horses in England and soon dashed to the lead on the trainers’ premiership. He had six of the first seven home in a race on a metropolitan track and the first four home in a Group One success that had never been done before.

“Chris knows the value of teamwork and has made sure it permeates throughout his stables. And he never hesitates to give credit to his employees, a fact much appreciated by them all."

Of course, Chris Waller has now won the past 12 Sydney trainers’ titles.

Farewell Graham, you were a much-loved gentleman and will be missed by all in the thoroughbred industry.