ROB'S SHOUT - STATHI, A REMARKABLE YOUNG MAN

By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, October 21, 2010

Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the premiership winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.

Tuesday was an extremely sad day for everyone involved in racing, right across Australia.

Stathi Katsidis was found unconscious at his home in the morning and he was unable to be revived by the paramedics and he sadly passed away.

There will be a lot said in the ensuing days and weeks as we reflect upon the life of a very special individual.

It is a monumental loss of a friend to many, an industry colleague and basically, a bloody good bloke.

In an industry as cut throat as the racing industry can often be, it's amazing that I have never ever heard Stathi say a negative or a bad word about anyone.

As one person said to me shortly after the news of his death became confirmed, anyone who ever met Stathi instantly became his friend.

So genuine and honest was he in a profession which is so demanding.

He seemed to have straightened his life out and he was at the top of his game after a real struggle at times with his 'demons'.

Yes, there have been problems with illicit drugs, involved but all of this will come out at a later date and hopefully we can learn from this huge loss … but I cannot believe the 'insanity' of such a waste of life of someone who had so much to live for.

Stathi always seemed so 'high' on life itself, such was his happiness so apparent these past eighteen months, so it's come as a terrible shock to all who knew him so well.

There was a very special sense of calm around Stathi. A certain aura existed which is hard to explain but if you knew him, you will understand exactly what I mean!

His self belief in his own abilities and the 'new balance' in his life after such a turbulent period were his pillars of strength!

I felt very sad and empty for a long time after the news of his passing came to me and I have shed a few tears as I personally reflect on my own thoughts of Stathi as he was always a pleasure to be in the company of and I feel extremely privileged to have known and worked with him and to have been able to call him a friend.

My heartfelt best wishes and love go out to his family, Melissa and Brooklyn, and I shall treasure the short time I got to know this remarkable young man!

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