by Duane Ranger
Taranaki not only lost one of its most valued club cricketers but the province also lost a much respected harness racing stalwart on Wednesday (August 2).
(Keith) William Ernest Keith Chittenden passed away in his home-town of Hawera. He was 66.
The man who introduced Kidz Kartz to Hawera trained 42 winners ($331,557) between 1977 and 2017.
His wife of 40 years, Marilyn, said her husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer nine years ago.
“It’s an absolute miracle he lived as long as he did. He loved his family and he loved his horses. He recently bought a weanling (American Ideal – Classic Vicolo colt) at the Sales. That kept him going,” Mrs Chittenden said.
His son-in-law Mark also said horses were his life.
“He’d have treatment on Monday and then be driving at the races the next day. He loved them that much,” he said.
The last time Chittenden’s familiar gold, red and black silks saluted the judge came at Manawatu Raceway on May 2, when his then 11-year-old Sundon mare which he bred, Above The Rest, won an R41 to R42 Trot with Sailesh Abernethy in the bike.
“Keith loved his trotters. He’s had some nice horses over the years. Chaucer (three wins), Bye Bye Cathy (two wins), Aholics Born To Trot (five wins), Palais Royal (six wins), Arbie (five wins), and one of his favourites, good ole – Repayment (five wins).
“Dad drove him mostly but one time he told us about the time Nicky Chilcott and the Repayment won at Hawera ‘by the length of the straight’ (April 2001),” Mark said.
Chittenden won 23 ($179,456) races in the sulky between 1982 and 2017. His last driving success came behind Palais Royal at Wairarapa on April 3, 2014.
Born in Hawera, Chittenden farmed on his father Basil’s dairy farm at Mokoia all of his life. In fact he took over the family’s dairy herd at just 15.
“Keith always had a fascination with horses. His father dabbled with them and had one named Special Feature (1946 Josedale Grattan gelding).
“He had a close rapport with horses from an early age, and when his father died aged 64, it was something he wanted to carry on in his memory. For as long as I’ve known Keith he has absolutely loved horses – and like the family said – especially his trotters,” Mrs Chittenden said.
The Chittendens placed a 50/50 sharemilker on their farm due to Keith’s illness one month ago. They still have an all-purpose harness racing property some five minutes away at Manutahi.
“Several years ago Keith transformed a former galloping complex into his owning training establishment which has an 1132m track, stables, and a donko (smoko room) covered in harness racing photos and paraphernalia. The family will now have to decide what to do with it,” Mrs Chittenden said.
Her husband also started Hawera Kidz Kartz several years ago, with four of his own mini ponies and his sister’s family members. Taranaki Kidz Kartz grew from there.
Chittenden was as much a harness racing stalwart as he was a South Taranaki cricket stalwart. He was a classy top order bowler, who bowled right arm offies.
He played premier cricket for 20 years in Taranaki and scored several centuries and took many five wicket bags. He also coached his children who went on to play premier and representative cricket.
“He always tells about the time he got a century with a piece of plywood (the mighty Mitre). That was a classic. He loved his cricket very much,” the family said.
Mr Chittenden was the only son in a family of four children. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, his three children and their partners– with all six being school teachers – Jarad and Paula; Heath and Catherine; and Loralee and Mark; as well as his 12 grandchildren.
His funeral will be held at the TSB Hub in Hawera on Monday, starting at 11am.
One line in Mr Chittenden’s funeral notice aptly sums up this obituary:
“Keith crossed the finish line on Wednesday.”
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