Northern Rivers Legend Billy Northfield Dies

LEGEND Northern Rivers greyhound man Billy Northfield died this morning.

He had turned 87 only a couple of weeks ago.

Son of another Northern Rivers legend, Pop Northfield, Billy is best remembered as the man who bred and took Pretty Short to great heights on the racetrack and at stud.

Pretty Short (Tangaloa-Pretty New) started 88 times for an amazing 58 wins and 16 placings and he set 15 track records. He was the standout in a litter that also included Melbourne Cup winner Rustic Venture and top grade city stars Dark Pretender, Newaloa, Pretty Whiskers, New Beaut.

Pretty Short won two Lawnton Cups, a Lawnton Sprint Championship, the NSW Country Championship at Wentworth Park, the Lawnton Presidents Cup, Grafton Premiers Cup, South Grafton Cup, the Pop Northfield and won numerous country track feature races.

He also finished second twice in the Queensland Cup at Beenleigh.

Bill also prepared such racetrack stars as Leon Mal and Coomerang Chief.

But it will be the greyhound racing legacy that Bill leaves behind that is the real tribute to him.

His sons Mitch and Charlie are still dominant in the industry. Their siblings are Vince, Collette and Elenore.

Bill is uncle to Glen and Brad Northfield who are still training and their siblings Gary and Vicki, as well as to John and Pat Lollback and Billy.

Billy never missed a Casino race meeting until the time came for him to retire to nursing care in Casino.

“He was very thorough with his dogs, kept them fit and healthy and he had a natural gift with greyhounds,” said Brad.

Billy's had a successful association with former Sydney training great Don McMillan.

Don's great race bitch County Gossip was mated to Pretty Short to produce Short County and she became the dam of Brindle County.

Bill turned Brindle County into a broodbitch goldmine and it is a damline still producing superstars for the Northfield family.

He also bred Glee Kabana, winner of 33 races and third behind Jaffrine in the opening race at the Gabba in 1972. Bill got his first dog, Road Rocket, in 1958.

Bill lived his entire life on the Stratheden property developed by Pop Northfield.

He is survived by his wife Colleen.

Pop Northfield died on July 5, 1973, the 15th wedding anniversary of Bill and Colleen.

"I remember our wedding because Happy Beaver won his maiden a few days after we were married," Bill once said.

Greyhound racing has lost a legend with the passing of Billy Northfield.

A memorial service will be held at Casino racetrack at 10am on Saturday.