Leading Adelaide trainer David Balfour passed away in Adelaide today after a long battle with illness.

A former top jockey with a career in the saddle spanning 18 years, David switched to training with great success. He prepared more than 700 winners in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The Group 1 winners he prepared include Beau George and Not Related. As a trainer, David won more than $11 million in prize money in Australia.

More recently, David developed a training partnership with his son Ryan and earlier this year handed over his Morphettville training operation to him.

Thoroughbred Racing SA Chief Executive Officer Jim Watters offered his sincerest condolences to David’s family and friends on behalf of the state’s close-knit racing family.

“While David had a highly successful training career, he was also a much-loved and highly regarded member of the South Australian racing community and will be sadly missed,” Mr Watters said.

David is survived by his wife Robyn and sons Ryan and Todd.