Harness Racing Australia are mourning the loss of industry icon, Bob McArdle, who passed away on Wednesday night.
Born in Tasmania and moving to New Zealand when he was 21, Bob dedicated his life to harness racing and was a leading horse agent, breeder and owner for more than four decades. Owing to his passion for the industry, McArdle would often say that he ‘‘hasn’t worked a day in his life’’.
Along with the late Wayne Francis, he established Nevele R Stud in Christchurch, which became one of Australasia's pre-eminent studs, importing sires such as Timely Knight, El Patron, Holmes Hanover and Falcon Seelster.
Later, he founded Bromac Lodge, his own breeding enterprise from which he bred hundreds of winners of thousands of races all over the world with horses with the Bromac moniker. At one stage, he bred the fastest New Zealand bred male and female pacers – Attorney General and Ulrica Bromac.
Howard Bromac, who won the Auckland Cup and was placed in both the New Zealand and AG Hunter Cups for trainer Kirk Larsen was the best horse that Bob owned.
We pass our deepest sympathies and condolences to his wife Denese, son Baden and daughter Lisa, as well as his much loved grandchildren.
