Ken Wills after driving Bret Armagh to a WA Pacing Cup heat win.
Well-known and respected Bendigo trainer-driver Ken Wills passed away on Friday, January 6, aged 86.
Mr Wills started working with horses after school with his father, Les, who trained gallopers and pacers from a property in Woodward Rd, Golden Square, in Bendigo.
At age 18, Mr Wills became foreman for leading Victorian thoroughbred trainer Jack Holt at Mordialloc and then for Stan Piper at Mentone.
When Mr Piper sold his stables to Angus Armanasco, Mr Wills returned to Bendigo and worked gallopers for Wally Hyatt, proprietor of the Bendigo Timber company and the first Bendigo Trotting Club president.
Mr Hyatt also had harness horses, which Mr Wills trained and he had his first winner as a trainer/driver with Placid Peter.
When 22, Mr Wills moved to Barellan (NSW) to train for George Inglis and other owners including Len Walker. His standout horses were Star Hill, who in 1958 won for the first time in two years at Sydney’s Harold Park
as a 10-year-old, and Last Scott, a New Zealand-bred son of U Scott who later sired winners.
Mr Wills returned to Bendigo and, with his wife, Elaine, established a property in McIvor Rd named Star Hill Lodge. From there he trained a string of high-class horses, including Victorian Breeders Plate winner Pacing Scott and the dual Oaks winner Lynmont. Mr Wills also trained gallopers, including Jet Land.
Mr Wills considered his best horse to be Star Hill. During an interview in 2016 he said “he was my first good horse . . . and like a pet dog would follow me anywhere”.
Mr Wills’ last winning drive was on Farrazan at Ararat in December 1985.
Sons Laurie, Dennis and Brian and their families continue to be actively involved in the harness racing industry.
The funeral service for Ken Wills will take place at Sacred Heart Cathedral, corner of High and Wattle streets, Bendigo, at 10.30am on Friday, January 13.
Among the high-class pacers Ken Wills trained and/or drove were:
Star Hill (Easter Handicap Sydney)
Last Scott (later sire of 68 winners)
Miracle Echo (the first Central Victorian Pacing Championship)
Pacing Scott (1961 Victoria Breeders Plate)
Dale Spring (later sire of 165 winners)
Lynmont (Victoria and SA Oaks winner)
Perfect Hanover (Maryborough Cup)
Bret Armagh (winner of WA Pacing Cup heat)
