Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Robert Alner dies, aged 76
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Robert Alner has died aged 76.
He sent out Cool Dawn to win the 1998 renewal of the Festival feature, with other star names handled by the former Dorset trainer including Gold Cup runner-up Sir Rembrandt, multiple Grade One winner The Listener and Betfair Chase hero Kingscliff.
Alner was seriously injured in a car crash in 2007, an accident which left him paralysed and in need of a wheelchair.
He continued to train under a joint licence with his wife, Sally, until 2010, when the pair announced their retirement.
Robert Alner spoke to Racing TV in January 2019 about some of the stars he trained
Son-in-law Robert Walford, a trainer himself, said: “Sadly Robert has passed away.
“Obviously he had the car crash a long time ago, but I don’t think it has been as big a struggle in recent years as perhaps many people think.
“The last week has been difficult, though. He was 76.”
Alner is survived by his wife, his daughters Louise and Jennifer, and four grandchildren.
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