Queensland Hall of Fame trainer Pat Duff passes away after decorated career

Pat Duff, who sadly succumbed to a health battle on Saturday night, played a crucial role in launching the careers of champion jockeys Mick Dittman, Mike Pelling and Jim Byrne.

Deagon trainer Pat Duff passed away overnight surrounded by his family. Picture: Supplied.

Queensland Hall of Fame trainer Pat Duff has passed away after succumbing to a health battle on Saturday night.

The stalwart of Queensland racing was a popular horseman and became renowned for his willingness to mentor the next generation.

Champion jockeys Mick Dittman, Michael Pelling and Jim Byrne all came through Duff’s tutelage with the trainer also well known for championing the case of female riders in the sport.

Duff, 84, began his career in country racing after taking out his training license at 21 and trained his first ever winner at Wondai, three hours outside of Brisbane.

He would also train at the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Eagle Farm and privately at Peachester Lodge before finishing his career at Deagon.

Trainer Pat Duff was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022. Picture: Submitted

• Old marvel: Duff keeps aiming up in pursuit of winners

His son Michael said the family was proud of the legacy his father was able to leave on the industry following his passing.

“The family is overwhelmed by the love shown to Dad,” Michael Duff said.

“He loved horses, he loved the industry but most all he loved the people in it. He was a man of great integrity who did a job he loved for 60 years.

“We are proud of the positive impact he had on so many people’s lives and the industry. Our thanks to everyone who has reached out it is appreciated.”

Duff was the first to dethrone the legendary Jim Atkins as champion trainer at Toowoomba and had his best finish in the metropolitan premiership in 1990-91 when he ran second to Bruce McLachlan.

Queensland Horse of the Year Our Cavalier rates among Duff’s best horses, along with the likes of Handsome Prince, Hard Rock, Star Of Florida, Heart Of The Citi, Hard To Catch and Steel Zip.

Steel Zip became one of Pat Duff’s best horses.

With an impeccable integrity record, Duff was highly regarded by all in racing and consistently went above and beyond for those who had fallen on hard times.

He was the president of the Queensland arm of the Australian Trainers Association for almost 20 years, with the organisation recently honouring a trainer each year with the Pat Duff Trophy, for the trainer who best epitomises his values and behaviours each year.

Duff’s stable has continued to be active while he has been in hospital following a hip replacement earlier this year, with his last runner coming at Toowoomba on Saturday night.

His last winner came earlier this month, with Optimus Maximus winning at Ipswich on November 1.

Duff is survived by his brother Cedric and children Peter, Michael and Suzy.

Originally published as Queensland Hall of Fame trainer Pat Duff passes away after decorated career