Eileen Passes Just Days After Winning Quartet

EILEEN Robertson watched on from her palliative care bed in the Mater Hospital at Newcastle on Friday afternoon as she trained four winners – in a row – at The Gardens.

Eileen, 69, a much loved member of the Hunter Valley greyhound racing community, was diagnosed with leukemia eight months ago and has been in an out of the Mater Hospital since.

But her husband of 50 years, Gary, said on Monday Eileen's health “went south” on Saturday morning after the wonderful training feat.

Eileen passed away on Tuesday leaving the greyhound community in mourning.

“She had been training those dogs from her hospital bed,” said Gary.

“Our 16-year-old granddaughter Eloise (McGuire) has been at home preparing the dogs for her.”

The four winners, Kenzie Robbo, Stylish Robbo, Tilly Robbo and Ted Robbo, came in consecutive races.

“Eileen and I watched them all win on TV from the hospital and on Friday and it really picked her up for the moment,” said Gary.

“But, by Saturday morning she had a relapse and things went south.”

Eloise handled two of the winners on Friday on her 16th birthday and her mum Rachael the other two.

“Our other grandchildren, Jeremy and Thalia, are on holidays and they have been coming to the property to help Eloise as well,” said Gary.

“And, Eileen has even designed a mating for one of our Dyna Double One bitches called Elle Robbo as one of the last things she insisted on.

“Elle Robbo has three times run 22.60 around The Gardens.

“Eileen insists she wants the bitch to be mated to Vamoose.”

For Eileen to land those four winners in a row at The Gardens is fitting.

“Eileen won the first ever race run at The Gardens with a dog called Go Robbo Go,” said Gary.