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The racing community is reeling following the passing in Dunedin Hospital of the respected and popular Wingatui trainer Steve Anderton.

The life support system he was on following an accident at his property on Monday morning was turned off on Tuesday afternoon.

The 44-year-old was found unconscious by staff after it is believed a hydraulic fault resulted in him being struck by the door of his horse float.

First licensed in the 1992-93 season, Anderton began his career in a partnership with his father Hec and together they prepared the outstanding racemare The Jewel.

She was the dual Group One winner of the New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton and the International Stakes at Te Rapa.

The O’Reilly mare’s stellar three-year-old season also included second placings in the in the NZ 2000 Guineas and the NZ Oaks.

She later went to Brisbane where she won the Gr.3 Doomben Roses and finished in the money in both the Queensland Oaks and the Derby.

The Jewel was bred and raced by the Dennis brothers and Steve Anderton’s association with the Woodlands identities continued through Group performers The Solitaire, The Glizty One and The Diamond One.

Anderton ‘s tragic passing will cast a shadow over the Otago Racing Club’s Champions’ Day meeting at Wingatui on Friday.

His stakes-winning mare The Diamond One has been nominated for one of the feature events, the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap.