By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Meaghan McNee’s unending love and lifetime memories of her famous harness racing grandfather, John Kann, will be portrayed for everyone to see at Redcliffe Paceway tomorrow evening (Sunday).
Thanks largely to the 19-year-old Deception Bay horsewoman, all nine races carded on Sunday (September 8) have been named in honour of the late Mr Kann, and eight of his well-known horses.
“I’ll never forget Pop. He was an inspiration to me and sadly died when I was just nine. Pop was someone I loved so much, and just enjoyed being around him.
“I was devastated when he died a decade ago. I was only in Grade Four, but it seems like yesterday. I’ll always remember him, and now with both Dad and Racing Queensland’s help, we have been able to dedicate an entire meeting to Pop,” McNee said.
“This has made my year. I am so happy, because it’s something I have been thinking of doing for a while now, and now that it’s been 10 years since he passed away, I think it’s quite appropriate – because so many people knew him, and what he achieved. Sadly, I don’t remember him as a trainer,” she added.
Mr Kann passed away on the morning of September 9, 2014. He was renowned throughout Australia for his training, driving, punting and breeding of standardbreds. Peter Greig did most of Kann’s driving, and during the 1980s and 1990s the latter was nicknamed ‘Death Adder’ because he was feared by bookmakers with his clever betting.
McNee said some past owners like Dennis and Peter Hickey, as well as his brother Eddie, and sister Bev, will also be on-track to help celebrate Mr Kann’s career and reminisce about Mr McNee and his standardbreds.
Many top horses won for Mr Kann in is renowned light blue with gold sash colours. These included the 1997 Sunshine Sprint winner, Methodical (1:55.9). Ima Dream ($129k), Left A Dream ($153k), All Eyes on Me ($349k), Stay Bright ($125k), Bells Beach ($118k), Torquay ($181k), Red Star Rebel ($76k), Vanston Vale ($83k), Markalan ($297k), Tallaringa Drive ($63k), Impish Princess ($276k), Lunchbox Legend ($199k) and Shyacking ($171k).
He also won Qbred features including Triad and Breeders Classic Finals, as well as several training premierships.
Miss Galvinator ($1.1 million) was prepared by Kann during a brief period early in her career before handing the filly back to original trainer, son-in-law Mark McNee.
In fact, McNee, who is Meaghan’s father and Vice President of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, said he was proud of his daughter, who had long wanted to honour her grandfather.
“Meaghan has been driven by this concept for some time now, and everyone in Queensland harness knew the talents of John. I’m very proud that my daughter has been able to make this happen,” he said.
On-course to remember her husband will be Barbara (“Nan”), as well as his two daughters Tamara and Sarah, and stepdaughter Kellie.
“Tamara did mini trotting throughout her childhood, while the younger sister, Sarah, saw her horse interest leading her to pony club. Sarah’s passion for the equine industry is further supported by receiving a bachelor in applied science, majoring in Equine Science.
“As well as having a dentistry business with the name of ‘Essjay Equine’ the logo created to be the same colours as Pop’s racing silks in honour of her Dad. Sarah still very active in the Equine Industry,” McNee said.
“Pop was more than a grandfather to me. He inspired me at a very early age to have an interest in horses,” she added.
A quality Mini Trotting driver, McNee then had three placings from 19 starts in two seasons as an open trainer, before opting for equestrian. She said she learned the ropes from her Dad and older sister, Madison.
“I like to make horses look pretty and to be honest equestrian is now where my heart is, but I still work at the Redcliffe Club on race-days, and help at Dad’s stable, as well as and Graham White, who’s barn is right next door to us. I still own the unraced 2-year-old McWicked gelding, Threeoeight, but my former pacer, La Safron ((22 wins & $142,579) will start in the Shows next year,” she said.
McNee said she was looking forward to presenting the winning connections of the feature event, a rug and garland. That fourth race has been named the John Kann Memorial Pace for the NR45 to 48 trotters.
“The family still have Pop’s original silks, which will be worn in every race on Sunday evening by Lola Weidemann. That is going to be very sentimental to see Pop’s silks racing around nine times at Redcliffe again,” she said.
The John Kann Memorial race-card:
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=RE080924
