Racing: Hundreds turn out to farewell Lupton

Snow Lupton. Picture / Wanganui Chronicle

Close to 500 mourners gathered in Waverley yesterday to farewell one of New Zealand racing's best known and loved characters.

Ewen Sneddon (Snow) Lupton, 84, was laid to rest at Lakeside - the family farm he forged from coastal South Taranaki country last century.

The property is now farmed by his only son, Warwick Lupton.

The large group of mourners was a mix of family, neighbouring farmers and fellow horse lovers and members of the New Zealand thoroughbred racing fraternity.

Known in his birthplace of Waverley as the humble, hard-working farmer and devout family man, Snow Lupton was best known throughout Australasia as the owner-trainer of the great Kiwi, winner of the 1983 Melbourne Cup.

That now epic victory propelled the wiry Waverley farmer to iconic status.

And while yesterday's funeral service was more about the man than the legend, his old mate, the late Kiwi, was far from forgotten and was an integral part of the eulogies.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jim Cassidy was unable to make yesterday's service, but had earlier been in touch with the family.

Lupton's grand nephew, Isaac Lupton, however, was on hand, dressed in rider's silks and wearing the trademark family colours.

In keeping with his love of horses, Lupton was ferried along Lower Herengawe Rd and up the driveway to the family homestead on a dray pulled by two Clydesdales. He left the same way.

The service was led predominantly by neighbour and family friend Ian Smith, who spoke on behalf of the family, although daughter Gillian (Hooper), son Warwick and several of Lupton's grandchildren also spoke.

Each spoke of his generosity, his integrity and devotion to family and friends.

Lupton's wife, Anne, sat quietly throughout her husband's service, supported by her children and grandchildren.

Warwick Lupton conceded his father would have been aghast at all the fuss.

"During his 80th birthday celebrations he told me he wanted his ashes scattered over the farm at Lakeside, or if people got upset at that notion, we could tip them in the lake. But some ski on the lake and didn't like the thought of skiing on top of Snowy.

"But he's done well over the years, hasn't he?

"Snowy managed to squeeze in a bit of farming, raised a family, won the Wellington and Melbourne Cups and very nearly made it to 85 - I'd say he's done bloody well," Warwick Lupton said.

- NZPA