The local harness racing industry in Dubbo and the wider region has been in mourning following the passing of popular local horseman Kyle Barnes last week.
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Barnes passed away on Thursday after battling pancreatic cancer for several months, aged 61, having just celebrated his birthday on March 2.
The local Dubbo Harness Racing Club had been in full support of Barnes throughout his health battle and held a successful gymkhana earlier this year to raise funds for he and his family.
In his later years, Barnes had been involved in harness racing in Dubbo and his last winner as a driver was at the Dubbo track with Artistic Reba in 2013.
He had been driving horses up until two months before he was diagnosed with cancer midway through last year.
Barnes also trained his fair share of winners as well as drive them over the years.
The last winner he trained was the mare Cindy Marie at Newcastle in 2015 which was driven by his daughter, Kylie Barnes.
Some other horses Barnes was associated with over the years included Baradini, Maranoa, Bara Prince, Rajah Hanover and Swift Meck to name a few.
Dubbo Harness Racing Club posted a tribute on its Facebook page last week, stating everyone would miss Barnes’ “cheeky charisma and larger than life personality”.
A graveside service will be held for Barnes at the Western Districts Memorial Park, Boothenba Road, at Dubbo from 11am this coming Friday, March 24 with people asked to wear a flannel shirt in Kyle's honour.
