Group One winning trainer Mark Sanders has been confirmed as one of five people to drown following an ill-fated charter fishing trip in Northland.
Stuff.co.nz revealed Sanders, 43, along with well-known Cambridge publican Richard Bright, 63, who ran the Group One Turf Bar for almost 21 years, were among those who died when the chartered fishing vessel Enchanter sank on Monday morning.
In partnership with father Graeme, Sanders trained Prize Lady to win the 2008 Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Pasta Post to win the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) a month later.
Sanders sent out the winners of 127 races in partnership with his father, eight of those at stakes level.
He had previously worked as stable foreman for five years for his father and sister Debbie Sweeney.
A father of three and a qualified builder, Te Awamutu-based Sanders had pursued a building career in recent years.
