Well-known Deloraine horse trainer Terry Roles has died suddenly at his home after battling motor neurone disease for two years.

Mr Roles’ thoroughbred training career spanned 32 years. He started out as stable foreman with Alan Stubbs at Osmaston, training racehorses for flat racing.

But he developed a passion for jumps racing, which became his focus locally and interstate. Over the years Terry had many prestigious wins, including five Grand National steeple chases at Deloraine, where this record still stands today. 

Mr Roles, 61, was inducted into the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame in 2020.

Inchgower, his favourite horse, won 19 races, including the 1995 Melbourne Cup Day Hurdle at Flemington.

The youngest of eight children, Terry was born and raised in Deloraine. Even at the peak of his horse training success, amid offers to work elsewhere, he saw Deloraine as home.

He was loved and respected as a passionate thoroughbred trainer at racetracks all over Australia. More than 600 career wins earnt his horses’ owners prize money of over one hundred and fifty million dollars.

Mr Roles changed career direction sharply six years after his daughter Erin had a life-threatening fall from a horse in 2006. 

He became a carer at Grenoch Home Aged Care in Deloraine, obtained a Diploma of Nursing and held a management position at Kanangra Aged Care Hostel.

Mr Roles had a long relationship with Deloraine football club as a trainer, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle.

He is survived by his wife Rosanne and daughters Erin and Sophie.

His funeral service was in Deloraine on June 30.