A LEGENDARY racehorse trainer’s long-time assistant has been found dead near the Greek holiday island of Corfu, according to reports.
Hall of Fame handler Steve Asmussen told Thoroughbred Daily News that close friend Toby Sheets will be ‘deeply missed by his family and friends’.
Famed US trainer Steve Asmussen has been left in shock after learning of the death of his long-time assistant on a tiny island off GreeceGetty
While cousin Greg Sheets told the same site: “He did pass away in Greece. As of right now that’s all we know.
“The family is trying to figure out what happened.”
According to a report on CBS, another tourist found Sheets’ body in the sea near the old port of Mathraki, a small island a 45-minute boat ride off Corfu.
The report said Sheets, who looked after former Belmont Stakes winner Creator, was reported missing last Thursday.
And he was last seen alive two days earlier at a cafe, reportedly ‘in the company of two female tourists’.
A report by the Associated Press said ‘the two tourists had since left the island’.
Mathraki is a tiny island of 1.3sq miles and its most recent figures from 2021 showed a population of just 174.
It is said to be a ‘serene and tranquil’ place for holidays but has a rocky shoreline full of dense woodland.
According to Athens News Agency, Sheets was in Mathraki as part of a holiday with a Greek-American friend.
Celebrated American trainer Asmussen, 58, said: “Toby was a part of our stable for many years, including our Belmont Stakes win with Creator, as well as his expert handling of Haynesfield among others.
“He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.”
It is not known how old Sheets was and a cause of death was not immediately determined, but CBS reported an autopsy took place yesterday on Corfu.
Brit TV doctor Michael Mosley was found dead just 90 seconds from the safety of a beach resort bar on the Greek island of Symi just over a week ago.
Asmussen is one of US racing’s most famous trainers and has over 10,000 career wins to his name.
He was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2016 and his horses have won more than £350million.