October saw the passing of Kevin Roberson (Robo) who was the most well known harness racing stud master in New Zealand.
Kevin was an Australian who came to New Zealand to work for the defunct Harnessworld Stud Farm which is now Woodlands Stud.
The writer remembers well the day he met Kevin in Australia to interview him for the position of Stud Master, Kevins instructions were simply, come over to the Yearling Sales, I will meet you at whatever the place and hour agreed was, and I will be the one with the biggest nose !!!, well I went up to the wrong person, so Kevin was wrong on that occaision.
At Harnessworld Stud he helped immensley to cut the costs and do his best to make it survive, but unfortunately it had debt and was hit in the 1987 financial crash, which saw its demise.
Fortunately for Kevin, Nevele R Stud were in the market for a Stud Master, he was now their Stud Master, he packed all his wordly belongings into a vehicle and headed South.
His time at Nevele R Stud is now history, his work ethic, hate of seeing company wastefull expenditure, and combined with his knowledge of Stallions and Broodmare Breeding is what made him this countries most well known and respected stud masters.
Kevin lived life to the fullest, he played and worked extremely hard, he loved socialising, fishing, drinking and working.
He was also well known for his amazing BBQ’s and in particular massive T Bone steaks, and onions, of course no greens.
He could drink a whole bottle of Scotch in one sitting, hit the sack, and then get a phone call one or two hours later re a foaling problem and he would be out there in minutes saving many foals and mares.
He was a heavy smoker and one day decided to give it up cold turkey, which he succeeded in doing, several years later it was the same with alcohol.
Kevin picked up a virus on a cruise which led to complications over several years which ultimately led to his passing.
It is with much sadness that due to work I could not get over to his funeral. Farewell Kevin.
You will always be in my mind and extremely fondly rememberred.
Noel Kennard