David Coles was for many years a highly regarded leader of the South Australian breeding and racing industries.
Coles ran the successful Coles Brothers bloodstock company, was closely associated with SA Thoroughbred Breeders, and helped establish the Australian Breeders’ Co-operative. He was for many years a member of the Committee of the SAJC and served as its Chairman from 1984 to 1989.
In 1968 he was appointed Bloodstock Manager for Dalgety Bloodstock Australia Limited, and in 1975 was seconded to Dalgety London to prepare company strategy and budgeting for its bloodstock activities on a worldwide basis.
His overseas activities also included his appointment as a racing consultant to the Tehrain Racing Club and responsibility for the import and sale of 400 horses for the new Hong Kong racing industry.
Coles was instrumental in fostering overseas interest in the Australian racing industry, and became manager of Robert Sangster’s racing interests in Australia.
Coles’ contributions to breeding and racing were rewarded with Membership of the Order of Australia.