Travelling head lad Chris Conway dies of heart attack at golf course

Much respected travelling head lad Chris Conway died of a heart attack after competing in a stable staff golf tournament on Sunday.

Conway, who was 72 when he passed away at Feltwell Golf Club in Norfolk, was famously associated with 2005 Derby winner Motivator during a spell with Michael Bell that spanned three decades.

Originally from Richmond in North Yorkshire, 'Yorkie', as he was known, worked for Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and Jeremy Hindley before joining Bell in 1991.

After leaving Bell in 2010 Conway still kept his hand in by travelling and leading up for other Newmarket trainers including Paul D'Arcy, and accompanied Spring Loaded for many of his big handicap wins.

Conway's son Richard, who works for Jockey Club Estates in Newmarket, was also at the golf day and attempted to give CPR to his father but was unable to save him.

He said: "It was typical dad, really, he made sure he got his round in after golf and then said he had a tight chest. I found him later and tried to revive him as we are taught to do these things working on Newmarket Heath. Four nurses were at a function at the golf club and they called the air ambulance but it was too late."

Michael Bell said: "It's a huge blow as Chris was one of the old-school type of lads who did the job properly. He loved Motivator and I remember he was at the start before the Derby with a towel and to give Johnny Murtagh some fresh gloves. Somehow he made his way back from there to be in the winner's enclosure and I still don't know how he did it."

Conway is survived by his widow Yvonne, daughter Pamela – who is married to former jockey Tom McLaughlin – sons Richard and Christopher, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

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