Brisbane turf identity Brian Allom dies
Brian Allom, one of Queensland’s longest serving racing administrators, has died aged 88.
Allom, a successful Brisbane businessman, combined his love of racing with administration, mainly of the Brisbane Amateur Turf Club and then the Brisbane Turf Club for more than 35 years before retiring about 15 years ago.
He was a long serving deputy chairman of both clubs and was regarded as a major player in lifting the BTC to new heights in the 1970s with races such as the Rothmans 100,000 (the current Doomben 10,000).
Allom was a foundation committeeman on the Bernborough Club which has grown from a handful of members in 1976 to over 500 members.
He was also the driving force behind the Combined Racing Interest Committee who helped raise the profile of the sport and was a member of the Queensland Principal Club which replaced the Queensland Turf Club as racing’s governing body.
Allom was a tireless charity worker especially through his work with the Colana Carnival.
He raced a lot of good horses with the best New Zealand who won a Healy Stakes and Labour Day Cup in the 1960s.
Former Brisbane Turf Club secretary Roy Beckerman said it was a sad day for all racing people.
“Brian was a great friend to many racing people and always was of assistance to the BTC staff,” Beckerman said.
Allom is survived by his wife Jane, their children, grand children and great grand children.
His funeral is at Albany Creek Memorial Park at 12.30pm on Thursday.