John Robert Hugh (JR) McKenzie (later Sir) was a successful businessman and philanthropist who had considerable influence on harness racing, which was particularly fortunate for New Zealand.
As a leading owner on five occasions (1925/6 owner earnings £7,530, main contributors Great Bingen, Acron; 1926/7 £5,545, Great Bingen; 1946/7 £11,103, Nyallo Scot; 1949/50 £10,341, Commander Scott, Fantom, Highland Kilt; 1953/4 £10,872, Ohio, Highland Kilt, Royal Ministrel), Sir John’s triumphs place him fourth on the all time leading owner lists. Behind his son Roy (Member Order of NZ, 13 time leading owner, 7 years straight), Dunedin owner George Barton’s ten seasons as leading owner late 1920‘s/1930‘s and six time leading owner in early 1900’s John Buckland. JR McKenzie was rated “Breeder of the Century” by NZ Trotting Hall of Fame.
Born in Yarrawalla, northern Victoria, Australia on 5 August 1876, John Robert McKenzie (commonly known as JR) was one of seven siblings born to
a customs officer. Leaving school at thirteen, JR had several odd jobs including newspaper deliveries the proceeds from which he was able to purchase a bicycle. Entering cycle races on this machine he won several trophies. Joining an uncle on a small farm he became involved with working horses. The Boer War intervened in 1899 and JR joined the Victorian Bushmen’s Regiment. After having one of his uncles horses shot from under him in South Africa in 1901, he was invalided home with a leg injury sustained.
Prior to establishing his first fancy goods store at Smith St, Collingwood in 1905 with his 16yo sister Ella, he attained his retail knowledge whilst working for Jacob Hart and Company in Melbourne. Whilst his first store was destroyed by fire less than a month after opening, within twelve months it had been re established and a second fancy goods store opened in Richmond run by his sister. In 1908 opposition company Edmonds Ltd offered to buy out McKenzie providing he ceased trading in Melbourne.
JR briefly operated stores in Launceston, Tasmania and Sydney before moving to New Zealand in 1910 opening his first fancy goods store and travelling requisites in Dunedin. This was followed by other stores around NZ with a Head Office being established in Wellington.
On 24 July 1918, aged 42, JR married Miss Ann May Wigley in Wellington settling in Rawhiti Terrace where sons Don (August 1920) and Roy (February 1922) were born.
During an overseas trip to America in 1928, JR witnessed the evolution of the ‘five and dime’ department store phenomena. The Cuba Street, Wellington store was the initial “McKenzies” department store and within two years closure of his 22 fancy goods stores and replacement with the larger “McKenzies” chain. McKenzies became a public company in 1936 and by 1939 they numbered 33 spread throughout the whole country. Eventually over 70 McKenzies stores employed more than 1,800 staff before being acquired by LD Nathan and Co in 1980.
Tragedy struck in 1942 when son Don having gained his wings as an RNZAF pilot and just days before his posting overseas, was lost over the sea near Lake Grassmere, Marlborough with another pilot Devastated by the death of his eldest son, JR took time before taking an interest in anything. A scholarship at Timaru Boys High was established in memory of his son Don. It was thanks to the encouragement of his wife Ann, George Noble (private trainer who joined JR in 1941 from NSW) and Rotary friends that he again started working with horses, breaking in yearlings to be handed to George Noble to be trained as 2yo’s. JR also trained and drove horses on occasion, having a great love of outdoor activities such as golf, riding, hunting, fishing and bowls.
JR’s earlier success with the standardbred began with the purchase of Acron as a three year old (£2,000). He won the GN/NZ Derbies, Champion Stakes and NZFFA twice (in a national record 2:03 3/5MR in 1924). This together with his purchase for £400 in partnership with Christchurch chemist Dan Glanville of Great Bingen (Nelson Bingen/Berthabell), greatly assisted JR in becoming leading owner in mid ninety twenties Great Bingen was a high class pacer whose 26 wins included a NZFFA and Australian Championship. His placings included two seconds and a fourth in NZ Cup. He was the first stallion to stand stud duties for JR at Roydon Lodge leaving 46 winners including Taxpayer/Double Great (NZ Derby). His broodmare sire credits included Bintravis (WA Cup), Bonnidene (GN Derby), Powerful Lady (NZ Oaks), Tapuwae (Rowe Cup). Roydon Lodge Stud was named after JR‘s sons, land purchased and a homestead established on Yaldhurst Road, Riccarton in 1927. The homestead was given to the Department of Education in 1970, now housing the McKenzie Residential School.
Taxpayer, top three-year-old, driven by his owner J. R. McKenzie, beating H. G. Watson, champion cyclist, over one mile by a head for a wager of 200 pounds. It was a feature of a variety sports meeting held for charity at Addington in 1935
Among numerous later high class performers for JR were Nyallo Scott (Dunedin Cup), Commander Scott (National Hcp twice), Fantom (NZ Trotting Stakes – 3, Rowe Cup twice, Dominion Hcp), Double Great/ Royal Ministrel (NZ Derby), Taxpayer (Sapling Stakes, NZ Derby), La Mignon (Sapling Stakes), Gallant Knight (Hannon Memorial), Slipstream, Ohio, Red Emperor, Flight Commander, Scotch Paree, Nola Scott,
Importations of male and female bloodstock by JR from North America raised the quality of standardbred in Australasia to the extent that they became internationally recognised.
U Scott is arguably the greatest stallion in the history of the breed in NZ and among the most influential in the Southern Hemisphere. He was imported to NZ by Sir John McKenzie in 1935, racing as a trotter in USA being converting to the pace in NZ. Eleven wins and six placings from 30 starts included a heat of the 1938 Addington Interdominions.
U Scott was a son of Scotland, a Peter Scott grandson of Peter the Great and the great Roya McKinney. U Scott led the sires list on nine occasions (equal with Jack Potts record), topped the broodmare sires list ten times and leading Australian broodmare sire six times. U Scott sired 506 winners from 878 foals (72 trotters) for winners to foals percentage of 58%.
He sired top performers including Aerial Scott (Rowe Cup, ID Trotters G/F), Arania (NZ Oaks, US1:57.0TT), Caduceus (ID Pacing G/F, NZ Derby, AK Cup, 3 NZFFA’s), Fantom (Dominion Hcp, 2 Rowe Cups), Highland Fling (2 NZ Cups, NZFFA), Scotleigh (Rowe Cup), Scottish Command (AK Cup), Van Dieman (NZ Cup) and numerous group race winners. His siring sons included Scottish Command, Young Charles, Van Dieman, Morano, Highland Air, Highland Fling, Highland Kilt, Noble Scott.
U Scott’s daughters sealed his great siring career, damsire of Argent, Bay Johnny, Cal Brydon, Cardinal Garrison, Delightful Lady, Don’t Retreat, Durban Chief, Jay Ar, Koala King, Lookaway, Lordship, Ordeal, Rippers Delight, Robalan, True Averil to name a few
Light Brigade was one of the greatest stallions in the history of the breed in the Southern Hemisphere. Imported to NZ by Sir John McKenzie from Walnut Hall Farm, Kentucky in 1940 at a cost of US$2,500, dual gaited Light Brigade won him five races.
A son of Volomite from great broodmare Spinster, who founded a top family led by daughter The Old Maid, Light Brigade led the sires list on four occasions, topped the broodmare sires list eight times, leading trotting sire on 15 occasions and leading Australian BM sire once (winners). U Scott and Light Brigade were the golden cross (either way) of their era and one of all time great crosses.
Light Brigade sired 451 winners with top performers including Battle Cry (ID Trotters G/F, Rowe Cup), Lookaway (NZ Cup/FFA), Thunder (NZ Cup/Easter Cup twice), Soangetaha (GN Derby, 2 AK Cups), Ordeal (UST1:58.3, Dominion Hcp, Rowe Cup), Vedette (ID Pacing G/F, NZFFA) and numerous group race winners. His siring sons included Fallacy, Court Martial, Local Light, Good Chase, Allegiance. Bold Brigade.
Light Brigades daughters sealed his great siring career, damsire of Au Fait, Berkleigh, Bonnie Frost, Daintys Daughter, Easton Light, Garcon Roux, Globe Bay, Gramel, Humphrey, Johnny Gee, Miss Debra, Petite Evander, Precocious, Rondel, Roydon Roux, Speedy Guest, Spry, Tactile, Yamamoto to name a few.
Spangled Maiden (Volomite/Margaret Spangler), Widow Volo (Peter Volo/Widow Grattan), Espirit (Guy Castleton/Petrex), Slapfast (Trampfast/The Apparent) and Airflow (Guy Day/Willina Chenault) were among numerous fillies and mares imported in the 1930’s by JR. These grand producers feature prominently with many descendants among the best pacers and trotters seen in Australasia –
– Spangled Maiden (CF U42 Lady Cabot), family of Jay Ar (ID G/F), Scottish Warrior (Messenger), Scottish Laddie (GN Derby), Argent (VIC/NSW Derbies & Oaks; dam of Gyro, NSW Derby), Court Jester – NSW/VIC/SA Trotters Derbies, Dullard Cup), Vanderport (NSW/AUS Derbies, WA Golden Nugget), Howard Bromac (AK Cup, NZFAA)
– Widow Volo (CF U309 Ethie B), family of Daintys Daughter (WA/Fremantle Cups), Bonnie Frost (NZ/GN/NSW.VIC Oaks), Sleepy Tripp (NZ Derby/Easter Cup), Noble Scott (leading sire in Australia)
– Espirit (CF U10 Jane Hunt), family of Johnny Gee (Dominion Hcp), Golden Reign (AUS/VIC Derbies, Truer Memorial, TAS Pacing C/S, Victoria/SA Cups, ID G/F), Sir Castleton (Rowe Cup, ID Trot G/F), Castletons Pride (ID Trot G/F)
– Slapfast (CF U325 Laura Logan), family of Johnny Globe (NZ/GN Derbies, NZ Cup, NZFFA twice, leading sire)
– Airflow (CF U35 Sally Ann Shuter), family of Highland Air (AK Cup), Aerial Scott (Rowe Cup, ID Trot G/F), Slipstream. Her progeny won over 80 races
Sir John McKenzie gifted his son Roy Highland Fling’s full brother trotter Highland Kilt. He was purchased as a yearling from his breeder Mrs Kitty Bare for £400. He trotted T2:19 1/5TT (half 1:11 1/5, last half 68:0) for trainer/driver George Noble as a 2yo on 12 February 1949 in his racetrack debut at Addington. This eclipsed Todd Lanzia’s mark set 19 years earlier. Highland Kilt then set a 2yo record on grass of T2:29 2/5TT (half 1:12 2/5) at Alexandra Park on 26 February 1949.
Sir John and his long-time leading trainer-driver George Noble
Highland Kilt set Roy McKenzie on his way as an owner and breeder compiling a record of 14 victories and 12 placings including NZ Trotting Stakes -3T, 4/5T plus an ID heat. He had some success at stud leaving fifteen winners including high class trotters Highland Flight (Lockyers of Raetihi) and Highland Glen. A daughter Piptre was dam of Australasia’s first two minute trotter Nigel Craig (T1:58.8TT in 1978) and another daughter Highland Gift was grand dam of 1975 ID Grand Final winner Castletons Pride and his half brother Sir Castleton winner of 1984 Grand Final.
A great philanthropist and generous private benefactor in his adopted country, JR McKenzie received a Knighthood to the Order of the British Empire in 1949. Presented to him by Sir Bernard Fergusson (later Governor General of NZ from 1962 – 1967), it recognised his contribution to public welfare, in particular the two trusts established by JR –
In 1938 JR McKenzie Youth Education Fund (initial gift of £10,000)
In 1940 JR McKenzie Trust (initial capital base of £300,000, largest philanthropic trust in Southern Hemisphere at time)
These two trusts have distributed many millions of pounds and dollars over the years to assist youth; disabled returned servicemen and families; Plunket and other charitable/voluntary organisations assisting the community (Salvation Army, YWCA, Presbyterian Support Services, Blind Institute prominent). In 1924, JR was invited to join the Rotary Club of Wellington. He made them the main agents for allocation of funds in the trusts. Mrs McKenzie also contributed with philanthropy through the McKenzie Education Trust which sponsored the Lady McKenzie Garden for the Blind (Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon) completed in 1971.
JR looked after his McKenzies staff establishing a staff superannuation fund and in 1954 set up the McKenzies Staff Provident Fund with shares valued at £100,000.
Sir John McKenzie died on 26 August 1955 (aged 79) during a trip to England. Falling ill at sea, he was admitted to hospital on his arrival in London where he was to pass away a few weeks later. Lady McKenzie suffered a serious illness 12 months after JR’s death and died several months later in 1956.
Surviving son Roy was already well on his way to assuming his fathers prominent position as an outstanding breeder, owner, businessman and philanthropist.
Peter Craig
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