Reg passed away aged 86 having suffered poor health during the past year.

Reg initially lived in Kempsey and Coffs Harbour before moving to Randwick where he was apprenticed to trainer Bert Bellingham.

"Bert's place was next to Tulloch Lodge and dad rode down here until he was a fully-fledged jockey then moved to Cowra," said son Neil Paine, who is the raceday manager for the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott stable.

"Dad retired in 1985 and stayed at Cowra for the remainder of his life."

Reg Paine rode 1038 winners including three Bathurst Cup winners and numerous other country cups including the nearby Orange Cup.

"He would divide his riding in those days around the various regions like Dubbo, Canberra, Bathurst and Wagga - he won many of those regional premierships.

"Dad also rode a mountain of winners at Cowra and was on the Cowra Jockey Committee for more than 20 years.

"Dad was a man of his word and was held in high regard by fellow jockeys and all owners and trainers that met him. He will be sadly missed by many."

Reg Paine is survived by wife Rose, sons Neil & Rodney (a jockey valet in New York), daughter Narelle and his extended family.

Funeral arrangements for Mr Paine are yet to be finalised