Champion trainer Ciaron Maher and star jockey Jamie Kah could not contain their emotions after a horse owned by the late Colin McKenna won in stirring fashion at Flemington. Racing folk are a hardened lot but there were tears being shed openly after Another Wil’s thrilling victory in the Damien Oliver. Jamie Kah is hugged by trainer Ciaron Maher.
Credit: Getty Images Though the group 2 race over 1400 metres is only a support race on the Derby Day card, the win had tremendous sentimental meaning for Maher and Kah, who were both close to McKenna . McKenna, a prominent racehorse owner who made his wealth with his meat processing business in Warrnambool, died last Sunday after a short battle with brain cancer . His wife Janice watched on from their property in Woolsthorpe, near Warrnambool.
Both Maher and Kah could not contain their emotions as they paid tribute to McKenna, whom they described as a mate and mentor. Leviathan owner Ozzie Kheir, who had a share in the runner-up Jimmysstar, a stablemate of the winner, embraced Maher in a warm act of sportsmanship and friendship. “[It’s] pretty special just to have a lot of Col’s family and friends in the horse – that’s the way he loves racing,” Maher said.
“He bred it, [there’s] no more passionate person, [he was a] great mate, great mentor, [and] he would have just loved to have been here today, but I’m sure he’s looking down.” Maher said McKenna and his wife were both great supporters of Kah, who has endure.
