Racing: Jones passed on love of racing

Derek Jones

Former top harness racing trainer Derek Jones died yesterday.

Jones trained Blossom Lady, a racing star of the 1990s and a darling of harness racing.

Jones is grandfather of Canterbury brothers Tim and Anthony Butt, both leading figures in the industry.

Jones, who trained at Templeton near Christchurch, last year won an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Harness Racing Awards.

Blossom Lady, a regular drive of Anthony Butt, did not include an Interdominion final among her 36 wins but it was not for a lack of trying.

She contested five Interdoms, won six heats and won a consolation at Auckland in 1991.

Jones, 79, trained more than 1000 winners in a career spanning several decades.

In October 2003, a maiden pacer who had not won in 31 previous starts provided Jones with his 1000th training success.

Miles Away was the only runner representing Jones at the Wairio Trotting Club's fixture at Winton.

Jones trained a long list of winners in a distinguished career, some of his best being Blossom Lady, Hands Down (1980 NZ Cup), Soangetaha (1951-52 Auckland Cups), Leading Light (1969 Auckland Cup) and Barrier Reef (1951 Dominion Handicap).

Jones was a past president of the New Zealand Trainers and Breeders Association.

His long involvement with harness racing began when he recorded his first winning drive at Riccarton on a horse named Quite Clever in 1946.

It continued with a family dynasty including his son, trainer Peter Jones, and grandson Mark Jones, the 2004 world champion driver.

Mark Jones is battling Colin De Filippi for this season's national harness racing drivers' honours.

Grandson Anthony Butt said Jones had been in good health until a heart turn about four weeks ago.

He underwent a heart bypass operation on Tuesday, but never really recovered.

"He was loved by everyone in the business," Butt said.

"He helped a heck of a lot of people throughout his life, not just his family.

"He had plenty to offer young trainers starting out and would always give them a horse to train."

Butt said Jones' funeral would be held in Christchurch on Monday, but full details had yet to be finalised.

- NZPA