Author Steve Taplin dies aged 65 following long illness

Steve Taplin, author of the popular Two-Year-Olds publications, has died following a lengthy illness at the age of 65.

Taplin, whose books profiled approximately 1,500 juveniles every year based on his pre-season interviews with leading trainers, was also involved with the Living Legends Racing Partnership, a syndicate created in 2002.

Trainer Tom Dascombe said: "He was a wonderful man and it's so sad. I knew him for as long as I've been training and he was so knowledgeable about his horses, particularly two-year-olds. My thoughts are with his wife."

The popular author, who wrote and published 35 editions of the Two-Year-Olds, is survived by his wife of 42 years Gillian and daughter Kimberley.