Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The news came through on Sunday that prominent owner Col McKenna, of Halo Racing, had died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour recently. The owner of Midfield Meats had a long history with racehorse ownership, primarily with the Ciaron Maher stable.
“It is with heavy hearts the McKenna family wishes to advise our founder, fearless leader and mentor to many passed away this morning with his family by his side after a short illness,” said Midfield Meats in a social media post.
The self-made millionaire rose from humble beginnings, having inherited a small block of land from his father who gained it as a soldier allotment after WW2, and McKenna grew that opportunity into a fortune via the meat and dairy industry. Midfield Meats is based in Warrnambool and employs around 1500 full-time locals who work in various agricultural enterprises including a large-scale abattoir and a string of milk plants.
Alongside his wife Janice, Col has raced many wonderful gallopers, under Halo Racing with the famous “Royal Blue, Lime Hoops with Hooped Cap” colours. Top flight winners include 2016 Caulfield Cup-winning mare Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Mitchell Freedman trained 2023 G1 Toorak Handicap winner Attrition (Churchill {Ire}), Saturday’s G3 JRA Cup winner Future History (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), and they were part owners in 2018 Diamond Jubilee S. winner Merchant Navy. They currently race Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}), named after one of their 12 grandchildren.
Colin and Janice McKenna | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
An annual fundraising event at McKenna's Woosthorpe pub on the eve of the May Racing Carnival raised almost $400,000 for various charities in the past three years, and in 2021, McKenna was named a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the community.
“When someone is down on their luck in Warrnambool, McKenna is always there to help with a job at his own business. No one goes without when Col is around,” a local told smh.com.au after Jameka’s Caulfield Cup win.
Jameka was sold after her racing career for $2.6 million with Col and Janice buying out their racing partners. Her first foal, Sir Bailey (Impending) provided his sire with his first winner, while her second foal is 4-year-old gelding Federer (Dundeel {NZ}) who won his first two starts recently in exciting fashion.
Other horses of note include dual Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Regina Coeli (Pure Theatre), Galleywood Hurdle winner Big Blue (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), and Jericho Cup winner Wil John (Reset) who was a homebred for Col and Janice McKenna.
