KENNY RUSSELL REMEMBERED

By Ross Stanley | Saturday, May 2, 2009

Each May at its signature meeting, the Gold Coast Turf Club names its black-type event for two-year-olds in honour of the historic contribution made by the late Ken Russell, winner of five consecutive Premierships at the Bundall course beginning with the 1980-81season title.

The handling of juveniles had always been his forte with the horseman from Central Queensland winning GCTC Golden Nuggets on Venom (1981), Foreign Interest (1982), Golf Field (1984), Abbejurrah (1985), Christopher (1986), Our Horizon (1990) and Tyrannic (1991).This amounts to a high distinction effort from just 12 assignments in the sales -based forerunner to the present Magic Millions concept.

Aptly the word "classic" is also included in the race's title. He did win a Derby, the Queensland edition in 1989 on Hidden Rhythm, but he was also a classically reliable and popular jockey with the ordinary punter, topping the riding lists in diverse spots such as Brisbane (1986-87, 92 winners), Rockhampton and Gosford. The jockey who grew up in Monto, west of Rockhampton, collected some 14 premierships in all.

Ken's father Gordon was an amateur jockey before the Second World War but stepped his saddle work up to the serious level after the hostilities ceased. The former dairy farmer scored in the 1958 Central Queensland Derby at Rockhampton aboard Gayndah Bay and saluted 14 times with Neghesti. A serious fall triggered a switch to training for some three decades. His pinnacle was reached when Ken won the Rockhampton Cup for him on Panard with his eldest son Bill performing the role of strapper. A great money spinner was What's Next, a winner 18 times in just one year at a range of venues including Kilcoy, Gayndah, Gladstone and Callaghan Park.

Bill, while aspiring to be a hoop, unfortunately broke both of his legs in a track-work mishap on the family farm. His mother Beryl soon demanded that her sons choose an occupation safe distance away from race-riding. After his formal education Ken became an apprentice compositor at the Monto Herald and, in fact, never became indentured to a horse-trainer in the traditional sense. He did ride for his father some mornings, seemingly without his mother's knowledge, and pottered around locally as an amateur. He picked up a few firsts and Beryl eventually softened her outlook.

Russell was granted a professional ticket as an adult and soon Rockhampton beckoned. A wonderful run there prompted a move to the south-east hub,but the result was disappointing and he aborted the plan and returned to his old stamping ground.

"Ken used to ride the carnivals in Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton and got to know and ride for trainer Lloyd Hickmott," said Carol Russell, Ken's Gold Coast based widow.

In October 1979 Russell, never one to quit, decided to have a second go down south and accepted an overture to link up with Hickmott at the Gold Coast, some seven years after his inaugural trip to the winner's circle had been made on Frosty Val at Banana near Biloela. A principal stable client at the Coast was the bookmaker Laurie Bricknell and his wife Cynthia who raced Venom.

Ken soon hit his straps and was officially the leading rider there the very next season. Important triumphs that followed in this life chapter included the 1984 Prime Minister's Cup on Avitt, 1985 Goldmarket (Princess Tiber), 1985 BATC Tourist Minister's Cup (Sports Ruler) and the 1987 Queensland Oaks on the Bart Cummings trained Round The World.

Sydney trainer Dr Geoff Chapman enticed Russell to Lord Ben Lodge at Rosehill in mid-1987. An early success in Sydney was with Groucho in the STC Theo Marks Quality (Gr 2), but in February the next year disaster struck when Killer Khan ploughed into the track at Orange. Ken's life was seriously at risk and he lost a kidney and broke ribs through the horrendous episode. Surprisingly to most, the ultra fit Ken was back in action in less than three months but Chapman severed their connection. Russell's fortitude prevailed and the Queenslander decide to stick it out at his Rosehill base.

Jim Cassidy, stable rider for Brian Mayfield-Smith, was disqualified for 12 months and Gavan Duffy was elevated to that post only to engage in conflict with Pat Lalor, Chief Steward in Melbourne, over the shortness of his stirrups. The jockey boycotted the Victorian capital, an attitude that did not serve Mayfield-Smith's interests, so Russell ended up riding for the former premier trainer.

A most significant and appropriate winning moment was experienced in January 1989 as if by destiny. Russell and the Des Burns prepared Sea Cabin had accounted for the fillies in their division of the 1988 Magic Millions and this time around he fluked a pick up ride on Maibu Magic, the second string from the Bart Cummings' team. The combination, despite barrier 21, narrowly beat the the highly fancied stablemate Tristanagh, and understandably the emotions welled both for Russell and the delighted crowd who rejoiced in the masterly ride back on old turf. A sense of justice surrounded the hoop's change of fortune.

The big race roll continued that year with victories in the AJC Doncaster on Merimbula Bay (33/1), the QTC Grand Prix -Queensland Derby double on Hidden Rhythm and the QTC Queensland OaksTriumphal Queen. Mayfield-Smith's Sakana got home for him in the AJC Spring Champion Stakes with his Gold Coast mate Neil Williams piloting the runner up Run Straight Run.

Other important credits earned by Russell include a William Inglis Classic at Rosehill on Pockets, the 1991 STC George Ryder (Bureaucracy), 1991 STC Storm Queen Stakes (All Mine), 1991 SAJC Angus Brut (Euclase) and 1991 SAJC Goodwood (Crush). Russell also ventured to South-East Asia and the Middle East.

His following in the betting ring was logical given his ability to deliver with around 100 career trebles - just one relevant indicator of his prowess. He rode the first five winners at Hawkesbury in April 1991 and from some 10,000 mounts he registered 1800 victories and he picked up the whole card at Thangool in his early localised days.

Devastatingly Ken died at age 42 in October 1993 when Tuig fell at Rosehill in front of his wife and family. He had scored on Whivory in the previous event. The Australian racing fraternity was saddened and shocked and the New York Times reported the fatal accident.

Testimony to his standing in the thoroughbred community has been expressed in various ways since. A large portrait in oils of Russell greets all who enter the foyer at the Gold Coast track while Rockhampton and his original home town hold annual races dedicated to his memory.

Importantly while he was alive his values were commended publicly with Mayfield-Smith explaining the jockey's loyalty and character to Turf Monthly in August 1989.

"When he went to the Gold Coast to ride in the washed-out Prime Minister's Cup meeting, he could have stayed on the Coast for the Saturday fixture and said 'to hell with trackwork'. However he didn't. He was back at Rosehill for Friday's session. That's part of the man's make-up. He's dedicated, that's why I'm very happy for him to ride my horses," said the trainer.

Today Carol Russell serves as a Lifeline counsellor, daughter Sara, 23, works for the Sheraton Hotel in Perth while her brother Daniel, 29, is based at Townsville with BHP. Chris, the younger son at age 26, is employed at the Gold Coast by Magic Millions in a precinct not far from an avenue named after his father.

Meanwhile at Monto passer-bys can reflect at Russell's statue. Some will smile at the fact that it is composed of the tough material that is able to weather all sorts of elements, just like the marvel who was not an amateur for long!

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