Racing industry mourns the loss of Colin McKenna
Colin McKenna, the self-made meat processing billionaire, who also built a racing empire from Victoria’s western districts, died on Sunday after a short battle with illness.
McKenna’s meat processing company, The Midfield Group, which he founded, advised of his death, aged 74.
“It is with heavy hearts the McKenna family wishes to advise our founder, fearless leader and mentor to many passed away this morning with his family by his side after a short illness.”
McKenna was a highly respected figure in the Victorian racing community, particularly in the Warrnambool region, where he previously served as a Warrnambool Racing Club committee member.
McKenna celebrated his first win as a racehorse owner at Penshurst in 1974 and went on to own hundreds of horses across the next 50 years, enjoying success at racetracks right across Australia and internationally at Royal Ascot.
His death came less than 24 hours after sharing in the ownership of JRA Cup (Gr 3, 2040m) winner Future History (Showcasing) at The Valley and a week after celebrating a second Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) success as a part-owner of Duke De Sessa (Lope De Vega).
Some of McKenna’s top horses to carry his iconic green and blue horizontal stripes included Jameka (Myboycharlie), Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock), Regina Coeli (Pure Theatre), Hissing Sid (Golden Snake), Attrition (Churchill), Wil John (Reset) and Another Wil (Street Boss). Other notable horses he shared in the ownership of included Interpretation (Galileo) who is set to contest his third consecutive Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) next week.
But it was at Warrnambool, 20 kilometres from his hometown of Woolsthorpe, where McKenna most yearned for success.
Jumps racing was one of his passions and he co-owned dual Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) winner Regina Coeli with trainer Ciaron Maher and his family.
Maher also trained McKenna’s Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) winner Big Blue (Galileo) and won the Jericho Cup (4600m) with McKenna family homebred Wil John.
An annual fundraising event at McKenna’s Woosthorpe pub on the eve of the May Racing Carnival raised almost $400,000 for various charities in the past three years.
In 2021, McKenna was named a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the community.
Racing Victoria chief executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “On behalf of the entire industry, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Colin’s wife Janice, his broader family and his many friends following the sad news of his passing.
“Colin was a popular and passionate member of the Victorian racing community and an icon in the state’s southwest, where he was a major employer, community leader and philanthropist.
“Colin loved his racing, his horses and the people in our industry. In particular, he was a tremendous supporter of Warrnambool, the May Racing Carnival and a range of trainers within his local region.
“We know that Colin will be deeply missed by his family, the local community, and all in racing who knew him and witnessed the impact he made to our sport throughout his life.”
Ciaron Maher, who McKenna had long backed, sent out a social media post on Sunday morning, proclaiming that “heaven gained a true gentleman this morning”.
Lindsay Park Racing also trained horses for McKenna, who they termed “a true legend of the sport”.
Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association chairman, Jonathon Munz, said: “We are all very sad about the untimely passing of Col McKenna and send our best wishes and condolences to his wife Janice and their family.
“Col was a passionate racehorse owner and huge supporter of the industry. More importantly he was a terrific bloke and a man of great loyalty and integrity. He will be missed by everyone.”