The Southern greyhound community mourn the loss of esteemed industry participant and long serving GOTBA (Tas) member and volunteer John Wilton who passed away recently, at 82 years of age.
John was a former trainer and committee member of Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders Association of Tasmania for decades as lure driver and curator of the Brighton Straight Track.
Both he and John Cameron were the stalwarts of the association going above the call of service.
A flow of winners came from his Brighton-based kennels initially with Smooth Yodeller, back in the seventies, a pup he purchased off Bob Wilson from New South Wales at 5 months of age.
His greatest claim to fame was making the 1981 Hobart Thousand Final over 497 metres at the Royal Hobart Showgrounds with the star chaser Approve By All (Super Approval – Pictish Girl).
Rex Alfred, boasting six victories, Exaltation with five, and both Tracer and Miss Astro, each with three wins, were among the chasers that contributed to John’s success in his later years, yet this only begins to touch upon his legacy. His most recent winner was Marry The Night in 2023.
A remarkable figure and a genuine character in the annals of racing, his legacy is unforgettable.