Roy Purdon
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16 February 1927
Roy Purdon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Roy Cleveland Purdon 16 February 1927 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 2 February 2022 (aged 94) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Harness-racing trainer |
| Spouse |
Margaret Hughes
(m. 1954; died 2015) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives |
|
| Horse racing career | |
| Sport | Horse racing |
| Significant horses | |
| |
Roy Cleveland Purdon MBE (16 February 1927 – 2 February 2022) was a notable New Zealand harness-racing trainer. He was New Zealand's leading trainer in 21 seasons, either on his own or in partnership with his son, Barry.
Purdon was born in the Auckland suburb of Freemans Bay on 16 February 1927,[1][2] the son of Hugh Purdon, a Scottish immigrant.[3] At the age of 14, he suffered an injury while playing rugby that resulted in his spending six weeks in hospital and six months with a cast around his hips, and left him with a permanent limp.[3]
In 1954, Purdon married Margaret Hughes, and the couple went on to have four children,[1] including sons, harness-racing trainers Barry and Mark Purdon, and daughter Suzanne, who married harness-racing driver Tony Herlihy.[4]