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The NSW Racehorse Industry is mourning the loss of popular Warwick Farm trainer Mr Rick Worthington.

Mr Worthington, 60, battled cancer for some time and passed away early on Saturday morning.

“The industry has lost one of its nicest and hardest working trainers following the passing of Rick Worthington,” said Racing NSW’s CEO, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

“Everyone knew how hard Rick worked and he was a brilliant horseman. However, Rick also worked hard behind the scenes to make conditions better for trainers.

“A lot of the gains attained for trainers were due to Rick’s perseverance.

“He did it in a professional and courteous way, and always procured what he came in for, even the matters that were difficult to deliver.

“Rick was a real gentleman of the turf and our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.”

Mr Worthington was born in Bowral and grew up in Mittagong, joining the Royal Australian Navy in 1976 and serving on HMAS Vampire.

He then moved into the horse racing industry, breaking in and pre-training horses before taking out his trainer’s licence.

He was highly respected in the industry with a client list including TJ Smith and Gai Waterhouse, Lee Freedman, Lloyd Williams and Arrowfield Stud.

As a trainer Rick had plenty of success with some classy performers including Whitefriars (Group 2-Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley, Gr 2-Salinger Stakes at Flemington and the Listed-City Tattersalls Lightning at Royal Randwick winning $620,000 in prizemoney), Sainthood (Listed-Wagga Cup), Honesty Prevails (Gr 3-Widden Stakes) and Steel Giant who won four of his eight starts including the Canberra Guineas and finished fifth in the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas.

Mr Worthington’s last winner was Steel Diamond who scored a Rosehill Gardens in June.

Rick was also a board member of the NSW Trainers Association and president of the Warwick Farm Trainers Association.

Mr Worthington is survived by his partner Rachel and his extended family.