From a young age, Reg Treffone had two clear ambitions: to become a top jockey and to race pigeons. He pursued both with unwavering dedication. As a schoolboy, he saved his pennies to buy his first pair of pigeons—an early sign of the commitment that would define his life.
In 1939, both dreams came true. Treffone claimed the prestigious Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cups aboard Gerald, while one of his pigeons won the Rivervale Homing Club’s “Kalgoorlie Derby,” finishing among just three birds to return home on the first day out of 400.
Treffone’s passion for pigeon racing never faded. After transferring from trainer D. Annear—who gave him his first winner on My Sunshine at Kalgoorlie—to Eric O’Malley, Treffone built a new loft near his living quarters. At his Ascot home, he maintained two lofts housing around 100 birds, split between racers and breeders. He served as president of the Rivervale Homing Club and dominated the sport for a decade, topping the board for consistency and velocity. Known affectionately as “Chilli” since his school days, Treffone spared no expense, importing premium pigeon peas from the Eastern States to feed his birds.
His meticulous nature extended to thoroughbred racing. Treffone was a perfectionist, giving 100% to everything he did. He is best known for his early work with the legendary Aquanita, training the champion to win the first seven of his eight starts, including the 1959 Railway Stakes, Lee-Steere Stakes, and Easter Handicap.
Treffone was not only a top jockey and master trainer—he was also known for his strategic plunges. One of the most memorable came in 1983 when Vorlyn was backed from 50/1 into 8/1 at Ascot. The plunge was successful, but it led to a 12-month disqualification for Treffone and the horse’s owners.
Throughout his career, Reg often found himself in fierce competition with his older brother Eric Treffone, also a WA Racing Hall of Fame inductee. In 1938, Eric won the Jockeys’ Title with 61 wins, while Reg claimed the Apprentices’ Premiership with 17 wins. The brothers began riding as children at their father Nicholas’ Kalgoorlie stables and were key riders for top Ascot trainer Harold Campbell.
Reg’s first major win came in 1942 with Skyro in the WA Sires Produce Stakes, narrowly defeating Eric on Rio James. He repeated the feat in 1947 with Westralian, who went on to win the WA Derby and Lee-Steere Stakes under Reg’s guidance. That same carnival, he rode Kalamunda to victory in the C.B. Cox Stakes and Melton Lad in the Breeders’ Plate.
His riding career was interrupted by service in the Australian Army during World War II. After 17 years in the saddle, increasing weight led Reg to retire from riding in 1953. Eric continued to ride winners for his younger brother, including One Sweet Leta, who was heavily backed before winning at Bunbury.
As a trainer, Treffone made a lasting impact in his hometown of Kalgoorlie. In 1958, he won both the Kalgoorlie Cup (Royal Fort) and Hannan’s Handicap (Desert Ore). In 1963, he achieved the rare Grand Slam: Kalgoorlie Cup (Waterinbury), Boulder Cup (Guardlock), and Hannan’s Handicap (Water Power). He added further Kalgoorlie Cup wins with Blue Spring (1964) and Farranfore (1978), and continued to dominate with multiple Boulder and Hannan’s victories.
Treffone had a particular affinity for the progeny of Wateringbury, training stars like Blue Spring, Water Power, and Dover Castle. He also guided Young Filipino early in his career before the horse tragically died in a float accident.
His success with fillies and mares was equally impressive. He trained Cheeky Jan (1957 Champion Fillies’ Stakes, 1958 WA Oaks), Queen Of The May (1959 WA Guineas and WA Oaks), and Sovereignito (1971 WA Oaks). Other standout performers included San Vista, Aquitania, Red Crescent, Count Sputnik, and many more.
Treffone trained for some of WA’s most prominent owners, including George Sweetapple, Stan O’Neill, Jack Warren, Tom Ahern, Tom Cullity, Les Fenn, and Rab Bell. He also worked with elite jockeys like Frank “Tiger” Moore, Colin Tulloh, Frank Flannery, and Keith Mifflin.
His name regularly appeared on the WA Trainers’ Premiership leaderboard, with consistent top-10 finishes across two decades. His best seasons included second place in 1956–57 and 1964–65, and third in 1965–66 and 1966–67.
Reg Treffone’s legacy is one of passion, precision, and excellence—across both the turf and the skies. His contributions to WA racing and pigeon sport are etched in history, making him a true Hall of Fame legend.
