Day, 77, passed away last Friday after a short battle with ill-health.

A butcher by trade, the popular owner-trainer had great success in the world of thoroughbreds and recently gave two young horses by the Lindsay Park stallion Alannan to his children Rodney and Robyn.

The thoroughbreds are currently agisting before going into the stables of Gawler trainer Darren Magro for a racing preparation.

Day was regarded as very astute and was much feared by bookmakers who often felt the sting of his ability to place his horses in the right races.

Former Central District footballer and coach Tony Casserly developed a strong friendship with Day.

“Max loved his footy as well as the races and was a vice-president of Centrals during my time with the club,” Casserly said.

“With our mutual interests it wasn’t long before my business partner Barry Mitchell and myself asked Max to find us a horse.

“The first horse was a grey called Derby Downs which when I first saw it was a big skinny horse but under Max’s care built into a very strong, impressive individual.”

Derby Downs was produced first-up by Day at Strathalbyn and landed a massive betting plunge.

The jockey in that race was internationally-travelled Des Coleman.

Now living in retirement at Encounter Bay, Coleman paid Day the ultimate tribute.

“As an owner-trainer, there was none better than Max,” Coleman said.

“I used to go to Gawler on Sunday mornings to ride work for Max and he set Derby Downs for that race at Strathalbyn.

“He used to get back in the field and I remember we were faced by a wall of horses getting up the hill to the home turn. A small opening appeared and I was able to push through and he unleashed a tremendous finish to win.”

Casserly said the group had also had success with Daring Young Boy and Phonsky.

“We took Phonsky to Mildura to win a maiden and after leading easily for home he stopped but still managed to win narrowly,” he said.

“But Max had seen enough so we sold him and came home with an empty float.”

Born in Gawler, Day spent his early working years on a cattle station in south-east Queensland before heading to the Broken Hill mines then returning to Gawler to open an abattoir and butcher shop.

He sold his businesses about five years ago and had spent his recent time caring for some cattle on the family property near One Tree Hill.

Day leaves his wife Ruth, children Rodney and Robyn and grandchildren Lauren, Justine, Elise and Steph.