Newcastle racing community in mourning after Sam Kavanagh loses ...

The Newcastle racing community is in mourning following the overnight passing of young trainer Sam Kavanagh.

Officials from Racing NSW confirmed the 38-year-old died in the early hours of Saturday 14 December after losing his battle with cancer.

Kavanagh, the son of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Mark, gained his licence in 2012.

In the same year, he trained his first winner in Adelaide.

He also guided several other talented horses to success, including Tales Of Grimm (2015 Scone Cup), Midsummer Sun (2014 Gosford Cup), Interspersed (2014 Canberra Guineas), Absalon (2013 Recognition Stakes) and Bagman (2012 Balaklava Cup, Tokyo City Cup and Matrice Stakes).

But, Kavanagh suffered a setback in 2015 when he was disqualified for race day treatment and cobalt-related offences.

His penalty was reduced to four years on appeal.

Since then, he’d been steadily rebuilding his career.

His last runner, Sharpen The Knives, was a winner at Armidale on 8 December, leading throughout to secure a maiden at its 14th start.

Sadly, Kavanagh was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer last year.

Despite receiving the best treatments available, the disease spread to other areas of his body.

Kavanagh is survived by his partner, Kelly, and their 11-year-old daughter, Sienna.

The Newcastle Jockey Club also had a minute’s silence at the weekend, in the mounting yard before race three, to honour his life.

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