Racing Pigeons with Bill Lawry

Kevin Clark is well versed in the Caravan Industry and is a Dealer with the Jayco Group in suburban Melbourne. 

Kevin has also been breeding Standardbreds for the past 20 years with considerable success. However, looking back to the 1960’s and 1970’s Kevin’s hobby and sporting pursuit was in breeding and racing pigeons. 

Being a Melbourne based boy he often raced his pigeons on a Saturday afternoon against the iconic Bill Lawry’s feathered friends.  Bill was also a pigeon racing devotee in those days, following a highly successful cricket career that saw him Captain Australia in 25 Test Matches. Of course, he became even more legendary as a cricket commentator on Channel Nine after retiring his “Baggy Green“. 

So, Kevin has adopted some of his pigeon breeding theories when it come to selecting Stallions for his 3 or 4 broodmares. 

His foray into the Harness Racing world came when he purchased a Holmes Hanover filly at the 2002 Yearling Sales in Melbourne.  She was named Little Miss Voodoo and although didn’t earn enough to allow Kevin to retire, she did win 3 races at Bendigo, Maryborough and Warrigul.  Kevin then bred 5 winners from her who won a collective total of around $350,000. 

This filly allowed Kevin to form a close friendship with the Late Gary Hobin, whilst he also enjoyed racing horses with John Tormey and Ian Paterson in Victoria and Cran Dalgety in New Zealand. 

In September 2009, Kevin attended the Annual Blue Ribbon Sale at Alabar’s Echuca property where he purchased the first foal from the champion Village Jasper mare Nemeeshar $331,230.   Named Kateeshar, she has been a gem of a Broodmare for Kevin, producing 9 foals of racing age for 9 winners including the curiously named Arggghhh 1.53 $190,055. 

On 4th February Kevin will offer two yearlings for Sale at the APG Melbourne Sale at the Inglis Complex at Oaklands Junction. 

The first of these is in fact a half brother to the nine winners from Kateeshar.  This colt, LOT 157, is by the richest entire son of Captaintreacherous in Captain Crunch 1.47.4. Captain Crunch has commenced his siring career in North America in fine fashion, siring the winner of the 2023 Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt winner Gem Quality 1.50 $438,940. 

Lot 157 is a tall, strongly built impressive type and with three strains of Artsplace blood [3X4X4] in his pedigree, he could easily be the most successful of Kateeshar’s progeny. 

The second of Kevin’s draft is LOT 221 – a colt by McWicked from the Bettors Delight mare TPS Girl.  He is well grown, especially for a December foal and is a half brother to 4 winners from 4 foals of racing age including the smart Victorian and WA pacer Beat City 1.54.2 $265,790. 

This colt is a descendant of one of the best Families of the famous Tuapeka Stud in the south of New Zealand.  It is a prolific breed producing horses such as Bonnie Joan 1.52.8, Machtu 1.50.8 $491,790, Ocean Diva 1.51.1 $253,380 whilst the third Dam of this colt is a half sister to the Dam of champion Kiwi brothers Ultimate Sniper 1.52.6 and Ultimate Machete 1.51.9. 

Sounds like a colt that you should be taking home. 

These two colts were born, have been raised and are now being prepped by Blanche and Dean Poole at Rhiannon Park, Congupna in northern Victoria.  They are guaranteed to look a treat on Sales weekend. 

Intending Purchasers at this years Sale are in for an unexpected windfall.  The Catalogue is offering only 53 fillies and 52 colts eligible for the APG Race Series for 2-year old’s with separate $150, 000 Finals to be held at Melton in 2025.   

For full details and catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now. 

From APG Ltd