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YEAR: 2008

JOHN PENNEY

John Penney was one of harness racing's most respected and able administrators. His death on Saturday after a brief illness was a sad start to Jewels Day at Cambridge.

He was dignified and industrious, taking on demanding responsibilities at the highest level. He died as Chairman of Harness Racing New Zealand, Chairman of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club and Chairman of the International Trotting Association. "This was a huge burden for anyone," said former HRNZ Chairman, Jim Wakefield. He said many delegates believed the International Trotting Conference held in Christchurch, and chaired by Penney last November, was the best since its inception.

Penney attended St Andrews College, and Canterbury University, and it was his intention when graduating with a BA in 1956 to become a school teacher. Instead, he joined Lane Walker Rudkin as a management trainee, where he remained until his retirement in 1989. During more than 40 years with the company, Penney became Manager of the dyehouse and knitting divisions and later became General Manager of Argyle Fabrics, a position he held for over 15 years. He had the ability to create fabrics to fill gaps in the marketplace identified by his sales people. He was instrumental in providing his division with the most modern equipment available.

Horses came before his turn at administration, with the importation with Sam Ballantyne of the successful sire Plat du Jour and Nardins Byrd, and he won five races with the smart Jersey Hanover mare, Hanover Reine, which Ballantyne trained. He won two races at the 1987 Inter-Dominions at Addington, and four in total, with Maitre, which he raced in partnership with Australian racing journalist Richard Trembath from Derek Jones's stable. More recent winners were Caliph, who won four races, Nepthys, who won two, and Chivalrous, the winner of four races in 2006. All were from Kheba, a Plat du Jour mare he bred from Hanover Reine.

He became a steward of Canterbury Park in the mid-1980s, and when he first heard of the role, he used his dry humour to say that he thought it was a job taking the drinks around. He joined the committee in 1990, became Treasurer, and was one of two club representatives on the Board of Addington Raceway. He pushed hard for the amalgamation of the three Addington clubs, and when that occurred he was one of the inaugural directors and joint-Chairman with Barry Cotton. From 2004/05 to the time of his death he was Chaiman of the Metropolitan club. "He was a joy to work with," said club CEO, Mike Godber. "He had high standards, but you always knew where you were with him."

Penney joined the Executive of HRNZ as the Metropolitan club's representative in 1999, and was completing his fifth year as Chairman. "He was a good strategic thinker," said Wakefield. "He was a quiet achiever who had great leadership skills. He was unfailingly courteous and diplomatic. In the ten years I worked with him, he never once lost his temper. Harness racing is worse off without him."

Penney is survived by his wife Audrey and family.

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Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 13Aug2008

The Oustanding Contribution to Harness Racing Award (sponsored by Jardine Bloodstock) - an award that is given only when appropriate - was made posthumously to John Penney at the Annual Awards Dinner in Auckland last Saturday.

It was received by his widow Audrey after a presentation by Executive member, Jim Wakefield. He said John had an outstanding record as an administrator, with strong principles and high standards. He was known for his modesty, understanding and loyalty to his staff and company. He had great days at Lane Walker Rudkin and became a respected leader in the textile industry in New Zealand. His interest in harness racing started when Haughty won the New Zealand Cup in 1943, and developed strongly after his company sponsored the Hip Hi stakes for lady drivers in 1970.

After his retirement in 1990, he became more involved, his days as a starters assistant being followed by steward and committee roles at Canterbury Park and as Co-Chairman of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club after the three-club merger from 2004 to 2008. As well, he was in the unique position of being Chairman of HRNZ between 2003 and 2008 and Chairman of the International Trotting Association in 2006-2008

As Chaiman of the Met he saw huge improvements to the track and racing operation, increased stakes, the development of the new stabling area, the introduction of the Harness Jewels and it was his private hope for a New Zealand Cup worth $1m.

He valued integrity above all else, and Wakefield said the problems associated in particular with 'Blue Magic' took its toll. "He was unfailingly courteous, polite, a stategic thinker and had immense leadership qualities. He was a successful breeder, often with his good friend Sam Ballantyne, and would visit his mares on a daily basis. John was an example to all harness racing administrators - a true icon of the harness racing code."



Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 5Jun08



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