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The family of leading NSW country trainer Danny Bowen plan to establish a foundation in his memory following his passing on June 20.

Bowen's family made the decision to have his life support turned off at Lismore Base Hospital after the Ballina trainer had suffered from a long illness.

Bowen's family revealed that the popular north coast racing figure had a long battle with severe depression and are anxious to help people in the racing industry who suffer from the disease.

A popular racing figure, Bowen is survived by his wife Shelley, children Daniel, Brooke and Leanne and eight grand children.

“Dad was in severe pain because of the depression and desperately wanted help but he couldn’t get the support he needed,” said his daughter Brooke.

“We don’t want Dad’s death to be in vain.

“We want to establish a foundation in his name so people in the racing industry, particularly trainers, strappers and jockeys can get help when they need it.

“We need counsellors who understand the racing industry and know what people in this industry go through.

“Once everything settles down we will look at the mechanics of setting it up.”

Bowen’s funeral will be held at Ballina race course next week.

“Dad’s heart and soul was in Ballina and he loved that race course,” Brooke said.

“It is the appropriate place to hold it.”

Danny Bowen trained for most of his career out of Ballina, moved to Gosford for a time then back to Ballina before recently moving his stable to Lismore.

However he was planning to retire at the end of this season and hand over to his son and foreman, Daniel, who is in the process of applying for his licence.

The horses are being transferred temporarily to fellow Lismore trainer and long time family friend, Jennifer Smith, until Daniel’s licence is granted.

“It was the pressures that wore Dad down,” Daniel said.

“No one realises how much pressure trainers are under, particularly country trainers.”

Recently, Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Tony Vasil and fellow Victorian trainer John Sadler have publicly admitted to suffering from severe depression during their careers.