General News
21 October, 2023
Frank's final race at his country heaven
GREYHOUND racing legend Frank Carbone enjoyed almost 50 years breeding and educating dogs at his Inglewood property. The successful trainer on Saturday watched from the sidelines as 49 years of accumulated equipment, tools and items often collected...
GREYHOUND racing legend Frank Carbone enjoyed almost 50 years breeding and educating dogs at his Inglewood property.
The successful trainer on Saturday watched from the sidelines as 49 years of accumulated equipment, tools and items often collected at clearing sales went under the auctioneer’s hammer.
Frank and wife Judy have sold their property and will soon head to Maiden Gully for retirement.
His journey to Inglewood came after attending greyhound racing at Olympic Park and Sandown.
“I was five when I came to Australia - that was 1952 - from Sicily with my mum, sister and brother to join dad who came out earlier,” he said.
“We were living in Fitzroy and I used to go to greyhound races. I decided to buy one, then another as it goes, and then decided to move to the country.
“We looked around Ballarat at first and then this property came up at Inglewood. We then put in facilities for the dogs.”
He trained winners of the Bendigo Greyhound Cup and enjoyed plenty of success at Olympic Park with dogs “all good and bad as it goes”.
And his Inglewood property became a base for other owners wanting their dogs educated.
“There’s a big demand for educating greyhounds and I still get calls even though I have retired.”
As buyers wandered the aisles of goods layed out for sale on Saturday, Frank quipped: “I got a lot of these things at clearing sales myself.”
Among lots was a set of industrial scales that once used to weigh greyhounds.
An old truck purchased from Starr’s abattoirs, however, was not up for sale. It had already been sold with the property.
Frank had done some work for Starrs and bought the truck for storage. “There were a few leaks so I just put on a roof.
“It’s been good for us here and I’m sad not to be able to still be educating dogs,” Frank said.
Auctioneer James Nevins said there had been good interest in lots on Saturday, including several vintage tractors sold.