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PAUL NIXON

If you knew him you came to expect it. If you didn't he certainly turned your head as his immaculate dress sense became his signature and made him capable of winning any racecourse best dressed competition.

Paul Nixon passed away last week but his infectious smile and presence at many race meetings has left an indelible mark.

A passion for the industry few could match, Paul has been heavily involved as an owner, breeder and sponsor almost his entire life and in recent years through his Nicowear clothing brand has developed racewear worn by many of our leading trainers and drivers.

Much of Paul's on-track success can be sourced from the prolific producing broodmare Red Pepper. She has left seven individual winners, the best of those Spicey Atom(5) and Wired(7) all of whom had Paul's wife Pam in the ownership. In recent times her daughter Secret Spice, herself a winner, leaving The Silk Road who won six of eight before being exported and Ginger Spice also winning six races and a qualifier for this years 5-year-old mares Jewels final. Both were trained by his good friend Cran Dalgety. One of Paul's fondest memories was being a part owner of 1987 westport Cup winner Arkwright trained and driven by Robert Anderson.

Paul was probably even more well known in rugby league circles as a player, coach and administrator for his beloved club Hornby. The club acknowledging this with a remarkable gesture after winning the Grand Final only a few weeks ago, the entire team rolling into PB's lounge and presenting him with a winners medal.

His three sons Mark, Justin and Scott played representative football for New Zealand.

Paul is survived by the "queen" of Addington in his wife Pam, PA to CEO Dean McKenzie, three sons and three grandchildren.

Credit: Greg O'Connor writing in HRWeekly 28Aug13