Racing legend dies just days after his final winner as sport mourns passing of ‘irreplaceable’ John Wade aged 80

RACING legend John Wade has died aged 80 – just days after celebrating his final ever winner.

The sport is in mourning for a true titan of the turf, who was a powerhouse figure in the north and successful trainer in his own right.

PAJohn Wade, centre, has died aged 80 – just days after celebrating his final ever winner[/caption]

PATrainer Rebecca Menzies paid emotional tribute to a titan of the turf[/caption]

In later years he was best-known as an owner and sponsor, banging in his final ever winner just 12 days ago at Downpatrick in Ireland.

Trainer Rebecca Menzies, who works at the Howe Hills yard Wade owned, saddled Edgewell to a 14-length success.

Wade, a self-made multi-millionaire, was still watching his horses run just three days ago but sadly passed away overnight.

A post from Menzies read: “It is with great sadness and shock that we share the news that John Wade passed away overnight.

“John meant and will always mean so much to us, not only as our landlord but as an owner, our biggest supporter, our inspiration in so many ways and most importantly our friend.

“Along with his lifelong friend Maria, they both have been instrumental in the success we have enjoyed and shared as a team since we came to Howe Hills many years ago.

“Our lives are stronger and better by knowing John and his presence will live on with us for the future as we continue to work hard, to gain more success in the sport that he loved.

“We are so grateful that we enjoyed a very special day at Downpatrick last week, with both John and Maria enjoying a winner each in their own colours.

“John said it was a fantastic day and best he could of hoped for and we say back, it was the least we could do for you.

“John knows we will uphold his standards and integrity as we look forward to many more years at Howe Hills with success and a performance he would be proud of.

“We know without him we wouldn’t be where we are now and he will be sorely missed.”

Punters were quick to send their condolences too.

One wrote: “It was literally less than two weeks ago John was interviewed on Racing TV after having winners at @DownpatrickRace, looking well and enjoying his racing.

“What a real shame he has passed. RIP John, thoughts are with his family and friends.”

While jockey Danny McMenamin wrote: “Very sad news this morning with the passing of John Wade.

“A great supporter of Northern racing & a gentleman to ride for will be greatly missed by many.”

And a message from James Armstrong, clerk of the course at Hexham, Kelso and Cartmel, read: “Irreplaceable – how sad. Thoughts with all at Howe Hills.”

Wade left school at 15 and started out repairing machinery before going onto make a fortune in waste disposal, among other business interests.

He taught himself to ride ponies then graduated to point-to-pointers before training almost 200 winners of his own.

His most memorable horse as an owner would have been Always Right, who won just shy of £100,000 from seven career wins.

But the sport was about more than that for Wade, who raised hundreds of thousands for charity too.

A post from Hexham racecourse read: “Everyone at Hexham Racecourse is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Wade.

“John has been a stalwart of National Hunt Racing in the North and will be a huge miss.

“Our thoughts are with everyone at Howe Hills and all those who were close to John.”