The Tasmanian harness racing industry is in mourning over the death of one of its greatest advocates Doug McKillop who lost his battle with a long-term illness last week.
McKillop was involved in many aspects of the industry with is love of the Standardbred leading to him developing a breeding empire that produced some of the best pacers to grace Tasmania and interstate tracks over three decades.
He part-owned Tasman Lodge at Westbury where he stood well-performed stallions Atashy, Merchant Marine and Lindy’s Loadicea.
McKillop later purchased a property at Gilbert Hill, Perth (Tas) where he employed Bill Dornauf as private trainer of what was named Keppoch Lodge, so named after the village Keppoch in Scotland from where the McKillops originated.
Some of the stars that emanated from Keppoch Lodge include Gold Display (34 wins), Majority Rules (19), Tasman Boy (13), Pollick (13), The Exchange (10), Traceys Lass (), Terrific Lass (14), Shy Ticket (36), Chris Columbus (16) and Miley Rose (10).
He was considered a top Tasmanian harness racing administrator. He was an inaugural member of Launceston Pacing Club (LPC) and served as that club’s chairmen and vice-chairman.
McKillop was a long term member and chairman of the Tasmanian Harness Racing Board and served as a member of the steering committee formed to negotiate the transfer of harness racing from Elphin to the Mowbray complex now known as the Luxbet Racing Centre.
He also was a member of the now defunct Racing Directorate and he was harness industry representative on the TAB Board for 13 years (up to 1996).
As a director and founder of McKillop Insurances in Launceston, he ensured his business was a major sponsor of harness racing events for many years.
In 2011 he was awarded the Edgar Tatlow Medal and last year he received his greatest reward for his service to the industry by being inducted into the Tasmanian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
Peter Staples