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Highly respected racehorse trainer Gwenda Markwell has passed away aged 61 following a battle with cancer.

“Gwenda was an outstanding and passionate horsewoman,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

“She won some of our biggest races including the Australian Derby but was the ultimate quiet achiever and a hands-on trainer who worked diligently with a minimum of fuss.

“Gwenda leaves a huge void, especially at her beloved Kembla Grange, and will be sorely missed. We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends on losing a great woman.”

Gwenda was an institution at Kembla Grange where she was the Champion Local Trainer on 19 occasions and always placed her horses to perfection.

She also took out the NSW Provincial Trainer of the Year several times and trained some top-class performers including Angel of Truth (Group 1-Australian Derby and Gr 2-Tulloch Stakes), Grand Zulu (Gr 1-BMW Stakes), Archedemus (Gr 3-Hawkesbury Cup) and Rolling Pin (Gr 2-Shannon Stakes).

Gwenda prepared multiple metropolitan doubles and on one occasion saddled up six winners from seven races on her home course – a Provincial track record. She prepared 1037 winners with more than half of those (517) at Kembla Grange.

Gwenda was also a strong advocate for life after racing and did a fantastic job rehoming her horses and setting them up for their new life once their racetrack careers had finished.

Gwenda’s stable foreman, Nigil Mohanan said this morning that her two runners (Main Stage-Race 4 and Burning Need-Race 9) will still be competing at Rosehill Gardens today.

“The stable’s two horses will definitely be going around,” Nigil said. “Horses have always come first for Gwenda, the worst thing we could do was scratch them – Gwenda wouldn’t have wanted that.”

Jockeys will wear black armbands in today’s final race at Rosehill Gardens (Race 9-Four Pillars Midway) as a mark of respect for Gwenda Markwell.