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Racing NSW has been informed of the passing of Mr Ron 'GoGo' Fitzimmons at Mater Hospital in Newcastle following a short battle with cancer. He was 70.

Mr Fitzsimmons started out in racing at age 14 with Tommy Smith and worked for other legendary trainers such as Bart Cummings, Brian Mayfield-Smith, Betty Lane and Tiger Holland and well-known breaker and trainer Max Crockett.

Though he held an amateur jockeys license and trained for a decade at Newcastle, it was his work breaking in horses and rejuvenating those with issues where Mr Fitzsimmons found his speciality.

In his training career he had 249 starters for 21 winners, he was a colourful racing character, but it was his work behind the scene that he was best known for.

Michael Beattie, currently executive officer at Clarence River Jockey Club, was the licensing supervisor when Mr Fitzsimmons was granted his training license and he said the man affectionately known to everyone around Newcastle as 'Goey' was highly respected as a horse breaker.

"He was successful as a trainer, it was never the main thing he did, but he had an ability to get a troubled horse going again," Mr Beattie said.

"He set up off course at Newcastle as a breaker and was used by many of the major stables in the area."

Mr Fitzsimmons had three children, his son Luke was an apprentice in the 1990s under Ron's guidance but weight got the better of him.

FUNERAL
DATE: Friday, 31st January 2020
TIME: 3pm
LOCATION: Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, Botany
ADDRESS: 12 Military Road, Matraville NSW 2036
CHAPEL: South Chapel

RECEPTION (wake)
TIME: 4.30pm - 6.30pm
LOCATION: Randwick Racecourse
ADDRESS Alison Road, Randwick
ROOM: Old Jockey's Room (ground level, official grandstand)

NOTE: Family & friends wishing to attend Goey's funeral and wake are requested to contact Peter Troth on 0402 013 333 (before Thursday 30th January) for seating & catering purposes.