Cranbourne Racecourse to host the wake for the late Robbie Laing next Wednesday
Robbie Laing's family will hold a 'low-key' funeral but Jack Laing says his father's life will be celebrated in the trainer's own inimitable style at his Cranbourne stomping ground next week.
Robbie Laing's death at the age of 66 last weekend stunned the Victorian racing industry as it came hours after the veteran horseman trained El Soleado into second placing in the final race of last Saturday's Flemington meeting.
Jack Laing said he and some of his seven siblings were working through the process of transferring his father's racing and breeding stock.
He said the industry and public's response to Robbie's death continued to amaze his family.
'The public response has been overwhelming,' Laing said.
'We knew it would be significant but even he would be surprised with how big it has been. It has just been massive.'
Laing said his grandfather Eddie, who was also a successful trainer, suggested the family hold a small funeral for the gifted horseman.
However, Laing said Cranbourne racecourse would be the scene of a huge celebration next Wednesday.
� Roman Arch - 2006 Australian Cup
� Polanski - 2013 Victoria Derby
Robbie Laing’s final two Group 1 successes occurred at Flemington ��
He was a brilliant trainer & horseman & he will be missed by many in the racing industry 🕊� pic.twitter.com/ND0fdnM9uX
— Racing.com (@Racing) June 8, 2025
• 'We're all devastated': Super stallion Snitzel dies
'As per Eddie's request, we're going to have a low-key funeral with just immediate family in Cranbourne,' Jack said.
'It's still going to be pretty big as Dad had a high offspring count with eight of us.
'We're going to have something low-key towards the end of this week.
'Then on Wednesday, all of his friends and compatriots in racing can say a few words, if they like, at a place where he trained hundreds of winners and won a Cranbourne Cup.'
Laing said his stable would also have a fitting tribute to his late father at Sandown on the same day.
The young trainer will run handy sprinter Speir in a 1000m race, which will be a fitting tribute as Robbie Laing bred the speedster and trained his sire Lord Of The Sky, who was one of the fastest horses in Australia during his racing career.
Speir's rider will also don Robbie's black, red and white silks for the race.
� Roman Arch - 2006 Australian Cup
� Polanski - 2013 Victoria Derby
Robbie Laing’s final two Group 1 successes occurred at Flemington ��
He was a brilliant trainer & horseman & he will be missed by many in the racing industry 🕊� pic.twitter.com/ND0fdnM9uX
— Racing.com (@Racing) June 8, 2025
'If he's right, he'll just about win there and it would be awesome to have a winner while Dad has his wake,' Laing said.
'It will be the perfect send-off if a horse he bred wins.'
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