The Queensland harness racing industry is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Dixon, who passed away this week.
A giant of the code in the Sunshine State, Dixon enjoyed incredible success – on and off the track – including four straight national training premierships between 2008 and 2011 prior to his retirement.
Departing at the peak of his powers, Dixon's 299 victories in 2011 set a new national training record before being eclipsed by Victoria’s Emma Stewart in 2018.
The mark only lasted a year, however, as Dixon’s son, Grant, overhauled Stewart's record of 309 with 340 victories of his own last season.
“The entire racing industry is saddened to learn of Bill Dixon’s passing,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“His accomplishments in and out of the sulky are legendary and he was such an enduring figure for the code – not just here in Queensland but right across the nation.
“We extend our condolences to Grant, Trista and the entire Dixon family.”
Having learnt his craft in North Queensland, Dixon relocated to the South East corner and enhanced his burgeoning reputation.
In 2008, he was inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame and held a raft of administrative roles including President of the Breeders, Owners, Trainers, Reinspersons Association.
Earlier this year, Racing Queensland, in conjunction with the Albion Park Harness Racing Club, staged the inaugural Bill Dixon Pace at the Creek which was won by his daughter-in-law, Trista.
To honour Dixon’s contribution to the code, those driving the number one sulky at Albion Park today will wear his famous black-and-white check colours as a mark of respect.