"He's done all the work to get us there, and it was his idea to keep the horse for the White Robe and we went along with it.
"It's just so hard to stomach at this stage, but we know life goes on and he would want it to go on."
The Woodlands-based Dennis brothers - Tony, Joe, Pat and Martin - had become firm friends with Anderton, his wife, Claire, and his father, Hec, having campaigned horses such as The Jewel, The Solitaire, The Glitzy One and The Diamond One with Anderton.
"We spent a lot of time with him travelling around in horse floats and staying in motels, and going down to the tracks in the morning and up to the North Island and everything. He was such a friend and the whole family were. He was more than a friend. We're gutted about it and it's so unfortunate."
Former Wingatui trainer Paul Richards, now based in South Auckland, simply described Anderton as a "bloody good horseman".
"When he was in partnership with Heccie, he was learning the trade. When he stepped out on his own, he was still learning but. as he went on, he did a really good job."
His uncle, Brian Anderton, said Anderton was a "great lad".
"He did well in what he was doing, and he was a very astute horseman," Anderton said.
"He's just carried the tradition on. He fulfilled his role well and he was a credit to the industry."
Racing Integrity Unit stipendiary steward Mark Davidson said Anderton deserved his reputation as one of Wingatui's top horsemen.
"To have two young kiddies without a father, it's a tragedy beyond words."
Anderton is survived by his wife, Claire, and daughters Katie, 3, and Tilly, 9 months.
Engagement fulfilled
• The Diamond One will will contest the White Robe Lodge Hcp at Wingatui tomorrow.
• The mare's trainer Steve Anderton died on Tuesday after a stable mishap.
• The Diamond One carries the colours of the Dennis brothers, which have been made famous by The Jewel, among several others.
