Legendary racing and breeding identity David Coles AM has died in Adelaide.  He was 91.

Coles, who was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame earlier this year, passed away on Saturday night.

“The racing community has lost a true statesman and our condolences are extended to his family,” Hall of Fame Chairman Bob Charley said.  “David was highly respected as a leader of the bloodstock and racing industries and numerous people would have him to thank for their involvement in racing.”

Coles Brothers bloodstock agency was established David’s father Ross and he took the company to another level in the 1960s.  He also headed and conducted sales through Coles Elders in Perth, Dalgety Bloodstock and Australian Breeders Co-Operative (ABCOS).

In the 1970s he accepted an appointment with Dalgety Bloodstock in England and, while based in London, became manager of Robert Sangster’s Australian interests.  In the 1990s, Coles was an invaluable mentor to Adam Sangster when he set up Swettenham Stud in Australia.

Coles was also instrumental in developing the bloodstock careers of John Foote, Kevin Dagg, Denis Roberts, Neil Bowden, Adrian Hancock, Philippa Duncan, Duncan Grimley, Simon Vivian, David Bridgland, Peter Heagney, Alastair Pulford, Grant Burns and Adam White.

In addition to his breeding and bloodstock roles, Coles was also a Chairman and Life Member of the South Australian Jockey Club.