Les Poyser following his success with Keystone Express in the 1991 Pinjarra Cup
One of Western Australia’s all-time great trainers and drivers Les Poyser died on Friday morning at the age of 83 years.
Poyser sits in 22nd place on the all-time list of this State’s drivers with a career tally of 756 winners with 512 of those in the city. He also trained more than 630 winners.
Born on 20th December 1931 Les Poyser was an outstanding driver from the outset when he graduated from the WATA’s Reinsman’s School where he learned the finer points of race-driving under the tutelage of Frank Kersley.
Poyser’s great feel for a horse was reminiscent in many ways of the “magic hands” of Kersley and in 1952 he finished third in the Trainee Reinsman’s Graduate Trophy won by Phil Coulson.
Poyser drove his first winner for trainer Bob Williams behind Kratsa Dan on 19th January 1952 at Richmond Raceway and the colt was regarded as a leading fancy for that year’s WA Derby. The pair eventually finished third in the Derby behind Beau Don and Oros Image.
During the sixties Poyser reined three WA Derby winners in Swahili (1962), Satanas (1963) and Volutis (1966) and only Hall Of Famers Fred R Kersley and Chris Lewis have won more WA Derbies.
Poyser also trained a WA Oaks winner in Ala Moana (1975) and a pair of Fremantle Cup winners in Peter Patrick (1968) and Little William (1978).
Poyser was a keenly sought after freelance reinsman due to his patience and concern to look after the horses he drove and drove Pure Steel to six wins including the 1980 WA Pacing Cup and was behind the Sean Harney trained Jack Morris for two of that champion’s wins.
Poyser handled a number of outstanding horses during his career with his most prolific winners including the likes of 1967 Inter Dominion heat winner Velocipede (20 wins), Surfer’s Guide (19), Keystone Express (19), Satanas (17), Swahili (16), Baytana (15) and Volutis (13).
He enjoyed an amazing run of success with former Tasmanian pacers winning a Brennan and August Cups with Speedy Ben, a Brennan and Bunbury Cup with Rio Butler and a Brennan Cup with Melfield Tyros and a string of races with the likes of San Eltrym and Dek’s Special.
Les Poyser is survived by his wife Norma and daughter Natalie.
