Ron Langsford, who trained Rebel to win at group one level last season, has died in Auckland after a three year battle with cancer.
Rebel is owned by Langsford's wife Val and Cambridge horseman Norm Atkins. Rebel was 11 times group one placed and had his moment when he won the Japan Racing Association Classic at Ellerslie on January 3.
It was one of the few races Ron Langsford was unable to attend because of his illness.
"Ron had just finished a further course of radiation and was looking forward to preparing Rebel for another campaign," said Atkins yesterday.
Rebel had been back in work under Langsford's care for two weeks after a month of swimming and pre-training. A decision on the horse's future would be made next month.
Racing: Trainer dies from cancer
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