The racing industry is mourning the passing of well-known Riverina trainer, Richard Freyer, last night following a long battle with illness.

Mr Freyer, 69, was a licensed trainer for 47 years and had great success preparing in excess of 2,500 winners and claimed 16 successive SDRA (Southern Districts Racing Association) premierships.

"That in itself was a tremendous feat as Richard was competing in a golden era against some top trainers like Bert Honeychurch, Hal Hoysted, Ray Whitehead and Ollie Cox," said SDRA's Chairman of Stewards, John Davidson.

"Richard was a prolific cup winner and won eight Albury Cups, 12 Corowa Cups, 10 Berrigan Cups and a National Sprint in Canberra with Prince Tone."

(Richard Freyer - courtesy Wagga Wagga Advertiser)

Richard Freyer was perhaps best known for his deeds with outstanding stayer Leica Falcon who won five of his first eights starts including the Group 2 Winning Edge Presentations Stakes at Caulfield.

The horse then finished an unlucky fifth to Railings in the 2005 Gr 1 Caulfield Cup before running fourth to the legendary Makybe Diva in the Gr 1 Melbourne Cup of that year - the mare's third Cup win in succession.

In the lead-up to the Cup, Freyer told the ABC's 7.30 Report that the whole community was right behind them: "When we went to the Cup there were people on the side of the road waving to us wishing us good luck as we drove from the stables through the town."

Mr Freyer's last winner was Autocrat at Narrandera on 23 July 2017. Mr Freyer is survived by daughter Kylie and son Rick, who is a trainer in his own right.

A funeral service for Mr Freyer will be held this Saturday (12th August) at St John's Church, Federation Avenue, Corowa, commencing at 11am.