One of Queensland's true racing enthusiasts, Peter Overell, has died after a long battle with cancer, aged 72 years.
Together with his late wife, Ann, the couple owned Croxley Stud, Biddeston, outside Toowoomba, where they contributed enormously to the Thoroughbred industry.
Mr Overell had wide-ranging success as a Thoroughbred breeder, horse trainer and racing administrator.
He will be best remembered as the owner of Danehill stallion Special Dane who he bought to win Group Ones and then stand at stud.
Special Dane won the Group One CF Orr Stakes and Group Two Sandown Guineas, and was originally trained by Darryl Gollan before going to Brian Mayfield-Smith, before retiring to stud.
Special Dane has left a mark on the Queensland breeding industry through his daughter Temple Spirit, the dam of the Group One winners Temple Of Boom and Spirit Of Boom.
Mr Overell vice chairman of the Toowoomba Turf Club for 15 years and served on the committee for 20 years, along with serving on the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association board.
A noted horse trainer, Mr Overell trained about 200 winners mainly on the Darling Downs and in country areas.
As well, he enjoyed city-class gallopers such as Sir Bisc and What A Tale, while in recent times he had success with multiple winners Scarlet Poet and Poetic Dragon.
The Overells also stood Cox Plate runner-up Prince Ruling late in his stud career.
Mr Overell’s funeral will be held at Burstows Chapel in Toowoomba on Friday, February 1.