By Michael Guerin
The harness racing industry was stunned last night by the sudden passing of leading owner, breeder and administrator Kerry Hoggard.
Hoggard, the President of the Auckland Trotting Club, died a week after being admitted to hospital with complications from a recent heart problem.
He was one of the key drivers of the enormous change in northern harness racing over the last decade which has seen stake levels at Alexandra Park rise to be the best in the country.
An enormously success businessman away from the racing industry, Hoggard realised racing would struggle unless it could develop sustainable income separate from betting turnover.
To that end he moved for more development of the land at Alexandra Park, which just two weeks ago saw the start of construction of a $200million commercial and residential precent aimed at securing the long-term future of the ATC’s finances.
And he was also a major player in moves announced at the HRNZ conference in August to unite smaller clubs to larger regional entities to cut costs and save harness racing in the regions.
A robust, no-nonsense, highly intelligent man, Hoggard was one of the most proactive racing administrators racing in this country has seen.
As an owner and breeder Hoggard and his wife Marilyn were hugely successful under their Rosslands Stud name, with their property in Clevedon one of the most impressive in harness racing.
While Rosslands race exciting three-year-olds Kimani and Motown, who are both set to contest the Sires’s Stakes Final on Cup Day at Addington next month, the Hoggard’s best horse was former Jewels and Northern Oaks winner Lizzie Maguire.
Kerry raced the latter with his daughter Helen, who although she faced her own significant health challenges was trackside to see many of Lizzie Maguire’s wins. Sadly, Helen passed away last year.
“We are all terribly sad because Kerry was much loved here,” said ATC chief executive Dominique Dowding.
“He was an incredibly smart man but very down to earth with it and worked very hard for the benefit of the ATC, harness racing in the north and right around the country.
“We are still all in shock but our thoughts are with Marilyn and we will help the family any way we can.” Kerry Hoggard is survived by his wife Marilyn and son Andrew.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
