Post by BVADMIN on Dec 20, 2020 15:51:44 GMT
Yvonne Gaskin: Romford trainer died at the weekend
Smyth and Romford devastated
after sudden death of Yvonne Gaskin.
BY JONATHAN KAY OF THE RACING POSTafter sudden death of Yvonne Gaskin.
ROMFORD trainer Yvonne Gaskin died suddenly and unexpectedly over the weekend. She was 60.
Wife of Ernie, who landed a big-race double at Hove on Saturday, she worked as a kennelhand for Ernie Gaskin senior as well as his son, then had a spell with Dave Lee before taking over the training licence at Romford in 2017.
Ian Smyth, director of racing for Ladbrokes Coral, said: “We are all devastated at Romford of the passing of Yvonne and our thoughts are with Ernie, daughter Gemma and all of her family at this sad time.
“Yvonne was just a lovely lady. She would always greet you with that huge smile and only ever with kind words.
“In my early days at Romford she was the first trainer who let me in and opened up to me and was so helpful in helping me understand the challenges Romford had at that time.
“For her it was just Yvonne being herself, but to me it was so appreciated and she had no idea how much easier she helped make my job.
“She was always prepared to say it as it was, but in such a professional way. She is a massive loss and we have all shed a few tears this morning.”
Chopchop Hope was the apple of Gaskin’s eye, being the winning-most open-racer of 2019 when she was also crowned RPGTV Greyhound of the Year.
Smyth added: “Yvonne loved each and everyone of her greyhounds but the one that saw that special glint in her eye was always Chopchop Hope, who we all knew as the Queen of Romford. We have lost the real Queen of Romford today. Rest in peace Yvonne.”
Gaskin’s final runner on Saturday, No Control, won an S2 at Romford. Her intended runners this week will be withdrawn by Romford pending a decision on the kennel’s future from her family.
