From Racing Post:
Peter Walwyn, former champion and trainer of Grundy, dies at 84
Lambourn icon Peter Walwyn was champion trainer in 1974 and 1975
Edward Whitaker
1 of 1
By Peter Scargill UPDATED 2:43PM, DEC 8 2017
Peter Walwyn, who was crowned champion Flat trainer in 1974 and 1975, has died. He was 84.
Walwyn will forever be linked with the brilliant champion Grundy, who captured the Derby, Irish Derby and Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1975.
Grundy went on to defeat Bustino in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot after his Classic successes, in a contest dubbed 'the race of the century'.
Grand National-winning trainer Nick Gaselee, whose sister was Walwyn's late wife Virginia, more widely known as 'Bonk', said: "He hadn't been good for some time, but his record speaks for itself. In his heyday at Seven Barrows he was a wonderful trainer and he was particularly loyal to his jockeys.
"When Mr Wildenstein criticised Pat Eddery, he asked him to take his horses away. He was passionate about Lambourn and started the Lambourn Trainers Association and he was passionate about the countryside."
He added: "He was a complete one-off, a unique character and he was affectionately known as Big Pete by some and Basil Fawlty by others, which was obvious if you knew some of his exploits, which were legendary."
Nicky Henderson, who swapped Lambourn training yards with Walwyn – who moved to Windsor House as Henderson took over at Seven Barrows – paid fulsome tribute.
The champion jumps trainer said: "It really is the end of a quite staggering innings. He was a wonderful friend. He did so much for so many people. He led a lot of crusades. He was such an amazing character and incredible enthusiast for everything, but racing and Lambourn in particular.
"We go back a very long time to the days when my Dad had horses with him. His great character sometimes made you overlook the fact that he was a legendary trainer during his days at Seven Barrows when he was at the pinnacle of Flat racing.
"He and 'Bonk' were such a wonderful team. When he lost her it was a tragedy for him but it's rather nice to think they might be back together again.
"They made Seven Barrows what it is and I was the lucky person who got to take it over from them.
"He kept us all entertained the whole way through. He was a very special man who racing will miss enormously but Lambourn in particular. It's a very sad day."
Another Lambourn resident and former champion, jockey John Francome paid his tribute.
"He has been Mr Lambourn for a long time and has done a lot of good in the village.
"He was a great man and trainer and immensely loyal to Pat Eddery when Daniel Wildenstein wanted to get rid of him. He and his wife Bonk were a great couple."
Walwyn spent his entire career in Lambourn and retired from training in 1999. He was awarded a MBE in 2012 for services to horseracing.
Walwyn is survived by two children, Edward and Kate, and two grandchildren. No funeral arrangements have been made.
Peter Walwyn, former champion and trainer of Grundy, dies at 84
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Lambourn icon Peter Walwyn was champion trainer in 1974 and 1975
Edward Whitaker
1 of 1
By Peter Scargill UPDATED 2:43PM, DEC 8 2017
Peter Walwyn, who was crowned champion Flat trainer in 1974 and 1975, has died. He was 84.
Walwyn will forever be linked with the brilliant champion Grundy, who captured the Derby, Irish Derby and Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1975.
Grundy went on to defeat Bustino in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot after his Classic successes, in a contest dubbed 'the race of the century'.
Grand National-winning trainer Nick Gaselee, whose sister was Walwyn's late wife Virginia, more widely known as 'Bonk', said: "He hadn't been good for some time, but his record speaks for itself. In his heyday at Seven Barrows he was a wonderful trainer and he was particularly loyal to his jockeys.
"When Mr Wildenstein criticised Pat Eddery, he asked him to take his horses away. He was passionate about Lambourn and started the Lambourn Trainers Association and he was passionate about the countryside."
He added: "He was a complete one-off, a unique character and he was affectionately known as Big Pete by some and Basil Fawlty by others, which was obvious if you knew some of his exploits, which were legendary."
Nicky Henderson, who swapped Lambourn training yards with Walwyn – who moved to Windsor House as Henderson took over at Seven Barrows – paid fulsome tribute.
The champion jumps trainer said: "It really is the end of a quite staggering innings. He was a wonderful friend. He did so much for so many people. He led a lot of crusades. He was such an amazing character and incredible enthusiast for everything, but racing and Lambourn in particular.
"We go back a very long time to the days when my Dad had horses with him. His great character sometimes made you overlook the fact that he was a legendary trainer during his days at Seven Barrows when he was at the pinnacle of Flat racing.
"He and 'Bonk' were such a wonderful team. When he lost her it was a tragedy for him but it's rather nice to think they might be back together again.
"They made Seven Barrows what it is and I was the lucky person who got to take it over from them.
"He kept us all entertained the whole way through. He was a very special man who racing will miss enormously but Lambourn in particular. It's a very sad day."
Another Lambourn resident and former champion, jockey John Francome paid his tribute.
"He has been Mr Lambourn for a long time and has done a lot of good in the village.
"He was a great man and trainer and immensely loyal to Pat Eddery when Daniel Wildenstein wanted to get rid of him. He and his wife Bonk were a great couple."
Walwyn spent his entire career in Lambourn and retired from training in 1999. He was awarded a MBE in 2012 for services to horseracing.
Walwyn is survived by two children, Edward and Kate, and two grandchildren. No funeral arrangements have been made.
