Obituary: Ken Browne

Ken Browne was still winning steeplechases at 67 - and he never hesitated to share his expertise.

* Francis Kenneth Stewart (Ken) Browne, horseman. Died aged 72.

Ken Browne's name was synonymous with jumps racing in New Zealand for more than 40 years.

Browne put together an almost unmatched record as a jockey and trainer of jumping horses.

He died at home in Pukekura, near Cambridge this week. He had spent the past five years as a quadriplegic after breaking his neck in a fall from a horse on his farm but still helped his wife Ann to train many more feature jumps race winners.

Before his accident in May 2001, Browne put together an outstanding record as a jumps jockey, astounding many with his longevity, and formed a formidable owner-trainer partnership with Ann.

What stood Browne apart from most other horsemen in the world of jumps racing was that he did much of the physical work himself until his accident.

He was the owner, the trainer, the blacksmith and the rider. There was no denying his tag of King Kenny.

He rode 156 jumps winners in New Zealand, 102 of which were over steeplechases. The last steeplechase win came as a 67-year-old in 2001, not long before his accident.

As an owner-trainer he won every important jumps race in the country. He had particular success at Ellerslie, winning the Great Northern Steeplechase nine times, and was recently named a Legend of Ellerslie. He was also made an MBE for services to racing in 1991.

Browne became the first person to own, train and ride a Great Northern Steeplechase winner, with Ascona in 1977.

He also made his mark as an administrator, serving as Waikato Racing Club president and a committee member of the Waikato Hunt Club and spending three years on the Racing Conference executive.

He trained more than 700 winners and was twice champion jumps jockey. He also represented the country at polo.

- NZPA