Its sad to report the passing of long standing harness racing trainer/driver Bruce Barron, who lost his battle with cancer yesterday aged 77.
Bruce grew up at the family home in Oakleigh – his father Jack Barron Jnr having been a feared competitor in the Showgrounds era with some very good horses, the best of which would have been Pipiriki, Reigning Monarch and Minzah.
Bruce was a first-class athlete and footballer in his younger days and attended Assumption College Kilmore as a border, which led to him playing games with Richmond in the VFL. He was to end his football career with Dandenong and played in several premiership teams.
He was virtually forced into competitive harness racing following the passing his father and did very well – the best of the team being Chamour, Firebrand and Top Cat, with Graduate Boy being one of the last horses to take to the races before he gave up the sport.
He was a long term and highly respected President of the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association and fought very hard for them.
In later years Bruce and partner Andrea Parkes, after relocating to Stanhope in the Goulburn Valley, were integral to promoting pony trots throughout the state and Bruce will be fondly remembered by many of the now young reinsmen and women who are heavily involved in the sport today.
Harness Racing Victoria extends its condolences to Andrea, his extended family and friends.
Funeral details will be announced shortly.