Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke described A.D., who won two Inter Dominions as the trainer-driver of pacing champion Hondo Grattan in the 1970s, as "the elite sportsman of his time".

"He was one of Bathurst's living legends ... and he was such a great bloke to be around," Cr Bourke said.

Not only did Mr Turnbull put Bathurst harness racing on the map, he also made Bathurst a more prominent town.

"When you mention Turnbull, people think of Bathurst," Cr Bourke said.

"The whole family are great sportsmen [and women] and he led the charge on that. He was the head of the family."

The 91-year-old achieved more than most people in harness racing can dream of throughout his 60-year involvement in the industry.

Not only was he the best in the area, he was the best in the state and one of the best in the country, winning six Australian training premierships.

"He was a real Bathurstian, he just loved Bathurst," Cr Bourke said.

"If I'm speaking on behalf of Bathurst, our thoughts are with his family."

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