It’s with great sadness that we have the extremely sad task of letting the Harness Racing Community know that Peter Craig (a true superstar of the sport) has passed at just 67 years of age.
Peter made a massive contribution to harness racing both here in Aus and back home in NZ where he and his beautiful wife of 27 years Catharine shared their home.
In our view, no other person has ever helped, inspired or given as much towards keeping the history of Harness Racing alive as Peter. The shock of his passing will have a massive effort on so many for the years to come.
Peter had been the driving force behind Harnessbred.com since 2015 and his wonderful stories, history and insights will be greatly missed.
Our hearts go out to Catherine and her 2 boys.
Please see below a short BIO of Peter we had on file.
BIO NOTES – PETER CRAIG
A retired public servant, accountant, born in Auckland with career taking in 23½ years in Wellington with last 27 years living in Christchurch with wife Catharine.
A harness racing enthusiast with keen interest in historical matters.
Current industry involvement –
• Member of Classic Families team (www.calssicfamilies.net) responsible for updating and maintaining the New Zealand data. This has including researching old newspapers and books for the speed and earnings records of New Zealand trotters and pacers from the early years of racing. The result is the most accurate electronic collection of elite New Zealand standardbreds ever compiled. In addition, involved in ensuring Classic Families has the most comprehensive details available on current and historical race tracks worldwide
• Contributor to NZ magazine HARNESSED
• Member of following clubs : NZMTC (Addington), Forbury Park TC (Dunedin), Banks Peninsula TC (Motukarara) and dual gaited with membership of Canterbury JC (Riccarton)
• Member of Addington Harness Hall of Fame Committee
Former involvement included –
• Owner (Scottish Hostess)
• Breeder under auspices of Capital Standardbreds Ltd (bred 24, 18 qualifiers with 17 winners). Best having been (Mister) Skye Rocket and (Mister) Veejays Fella
• Contributor to The Right Track (NZ Breeders publication early/mid-nineties; Harness Racing International John Peck’s Melbourne based publication; Harness Racing Weekly in NZ
• Wellington area representative for NI Branch of Standardbred Breeders Association
A keen follower of harness racing particularly overseas e.g. have been to more than twenty Interdominion Championships starting with Christchurch in 1979, Twelve consecutively touring with Melbourne based Harness Racing Travelworld. Had attended , World Drivers Championships in USA (New York including Hambletonian), France (Paris) and Australia (Sydney) and in 2014 Little Brown Jug.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
