The greyhound racing industry is mourning the loss of John Tracey.
Mr Tracey had a long career across many sectors of the industry. He was a member of the Greyhound Breeders, Owners, and Trainers Association for over 40 years holding many voluntary branch positions, was a constant source for GBOTA counsel and a senior contributor to GBOTA’s governance, and was an inaugural Board member of the NSW Greyhound Racing Authority representing country racing.
Mr Tracey founded the Greyhound Welfare Trust to assist rehoming organisations, which assisted small rehoming groups with equipment and finances.
He was a brilliant historian, advocate and mentor for greyhound racing participants and their animals.
During the NSW ban, he was extremely vocal and made a strong contribution, driving the regional social and economic contribution argument.
Mr Tracey was widely regarded as the industry’s historian. He spent many hours at the NSW State Library researching the industry and worked to have both the GBOTA and industry in general history displayed at Wentworth Park as well as a mobile museum in Gunnedah.
He is responsible for a significant amount of literature and history records now being in the public domain and co-authored the popular book ‘Going to the Dogs. A History of Greyhound Racing in NSW.’ His generosity from the ongoing donations from these books has assisted in raising thousands for charity and welfare.
He supported the ‘Brood Bitch Challenges’ in Young, NSW, where older greyhounds raced for fun over shorter distances. These events were staged annually for many years with Mr Tracey always attending.
He imparted to the NSW greyhound community his knowledge and techniques for engaging and communicating within and outside the industry.
During the most turbulent and challenging times in the industry’s history, Mr Tracey’s devotion and passion for greyhound racing in NSW was unwavering.
But, above all he was a dear friend, private counsel and mentor to many and was so giving with his time, yet never asked for anything in return.
“John was tremendous supporter of the industry and its participants and his work during the ban will never be forgotten,” Greyhound Racing NSW Acting Chief Executive Officer Wayne Billett said.
“He was also great historian for the industry, a person who respected and loved the history of our sport, and he was at the forefront of the memorabilia proudly displayed at Wentworth Park.
“The book which John co-wrote with Max Solling, not only perfectly documents the long history of our sport, but is a wonderful celebration of greyhound racing in NSW.
“On behalf of GRNSW and those in our sport, I thank John for his outstanding contributions to the industry over many years, and I offer sincere condolences to John’s family and many, many friends both within, and outside of greyhound racing.”
The funeral of John Tracey will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 11.30am in the West Chapel of the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, Military Rd, Matraville.
Everyone is then welcome to celebrate John’s life at the Yarra Bay Sailing Club a short time after.
A memorial evening is being planned at Wentworth Park in the New Year with details to follow.
