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CARL BRINSDEN

Carl Brinsden, who died in Tauranga Hospital early on Tuesday morning of complications from an internal disorder, will be remembered as the devoted groom of the outstanding Kiwi pacer of the 1970s, Young Quinn.

Brinsden, who was 57, worked for successful Canterbury trainers Cecil Donald, George Noble and Felix Newfield before moving north, where in turn he became a key man in the operations of Nevil White, Kevin Holmes and Charlie Hunter.

Commissioned by Hunter to accompany Young Quinn to America in May 1975, Brinsden remained as the gelding's caretaker for the bulk of his North American campaigning over the next five years. In that time, Young Quinn, who had won 38 races and just on $175,000 in Australasia, chalked up a further 22 wins in town-hall class and pushed his career earnings to $759,227.

After Young Quinn returned to New Zealand, Brinsden set up training in his own right in California, handling mainly horses sent to him by Wellingtonian Sir Roy McKenzie. Forced out of the game by illness, he recovered to team up with compatriot Paul Jessop in New Jersey some four years back. He returned to NZ a year ago, and more recently had been assisting in the blossoming stable of Te Puke trainer John Peary.

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 5Nov97