Training Icon John Finn Passes Away, Aged 81

New South Wales training icon John Finn has passed away at the age of 81.

Finn, regarded as one of the sport's greatest trainers, has been bravely fighting health issues for just on a a decade yet, with the unflinching support of wife Minnie, the Cranebrook-based couple continues to prepare high class performers to win at the elite level.

During a training career spanning more than five decades, Finn, who just last Wednesday landed a winning quartet at Richmond, has prepared some of the sport's best.

Included among the array of stars Finn trained during his career are NSW Greyhound of The Year winners Jessica Casey and Irinka Barbie as well as 1985 National Derby hero Rapid Supreme, three-time aged classic winner in 2001 Winsome Dollars, champion matron Mink Mitten, History Lesson, Winsome Charlee and Winsome Blue.

Jessica Casey, bred by the legendary Ted Doss, won a swag of big races for Finn to earn Greyhound of The Years honours in 1991 before going on to blitz the Golden Easter Egg in 1992.

Irinka Barbie's 2004 GOTY gong was sealed with a number of big race staying successes under the guidance of Finn, led by her Group 1 Association Cup romp, landed in her customary front-running race style.  

In more recent times, greyhounds Finn has put the polish on include names like Zipping Orlando, Zipping Kyrgios, Blue Moon Rising, Poco Dorado, Prince Diablo, Sheikha and Gatlin just to name a few.

Included among Finn's list of achievements is being at the pointy end of two of NSW's newest and the sport's richest races.

In May this year he landed ‘The 715', the world's richest staying race, with Zipping Orlando at The Gardens, while in 2022 he went within a head of annexing the Million Dollar Chase with his grand warrior Zipping Kyrgios.

Both dogs were owned by the Hallinan family.

"I've known John for most of my life and even when he was based at Forbes, he was considered a master trainer," Hall of Fame owner-breeder Martin Hallinan said.

"Fiona and I have only had dogs with the Finns for four or so years but the results have been quite remarkable.

"The dogs race week-in, week-out with great consistency and that's really about the fitness levels they reach.

"John had been unwell for a while yet still worked the dogs himself and Minnie would go to the track with (daughter-in-law) Courtney on race night.

"Minnie's work ethic and dedication to the dogs is second to none and she's learned from the best.

"It's sad that John has died but his legacy is there for all to see."