Vale Betty Shepherd

BETTY Shepherd an icon of Scone and the thoroughbred racing industry passed away on Australia Day at Strathearn House aged 89.

In 1953 Betty became the world’s first registered female horse trainer and with her gelding Trevors, Betty became the first female trainer to have a horse in the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup.

“I was cheeky you know, I just got on with things,” Betty Shepherd explained: Sconeite Snippet – Betty Shepherd.

Betty’s passion for horses was only surpassed by her passion for her family. 

When Betty was 17 she noticed a young man working at the local grocer, Archie and together they went on to train race horses from their property in Phillip Street, Scone.

Even in her late 80’s Betty still ‘got on with things’ and was back in the limelight on A Current Affair, as she successfully fought against industrial rezoning in her street.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Archie and her grandson Jason, but is survived by her daughter Georgie Shepherd.

A funeral for Betty will be held tomorrow at 11am at St Mary’s Church, Crn Park Street and Short Street, Scone, with a wake afterwards at the Scone Bowling Club. 

Related stories:

• Sconeite Snippet – Betty Shepherd
• A Current Affair Backs Betty
• ACA to check in on Phillip Street Scone