Trevor Craddock, one of the great characters of West Coast harness racing, will be farewelled at Westport tomorrow (Friday).
The 85-year-old is being remembered as someone who “loved his racing and rugby” and had “a great life”.
Based at Patterson Park, Craddock had exactly 100 training wins between 1967 and 2014 with 27 successes as a driver. His first driving and training win was with Wheels at Reefton in 1967.
Among his best horses were Clifford Jasper (10 wins), Chiola Reb (10 wins), and Brooksdale Pal, Oregon Heights, Jovial Jan and Rosewood Garrison, with five wins each. Another of his horses McCreedy also won the 1974 Marlborough Cup.
Craddock served for many years on the Westport Trotting Club committee including stints as president. He was also a Life member with the club describing him as “a legend of West Coast racing”.
“Trevor will be missed by many locally and to those that enjoyed catching up with him on their trips to the Westport trots. His big infectious smile will be missed on track this coming Christmas without doubt.”
Craddock devoted a lot of his time to training horses after the sale of the family’s trucking business Craddocks Transport.
Brother Bill Craddock described Trevor as “a character”.
“He was very mischievous.”
Trevor and his late wife Kathleen had a big family.
“There were eight kids – at one stage they had five under five,” says Bill.
Another who knew Trevor well was long-time friend John Reedy.
“He looked like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth but it was just a facade!”
“He was a hard worker, and a good man who had a great life”
“One day he was hunched over the running rail and we thought he was feeling a bit poorly after a big night but it turns out he was having a heart attack.” laughs Reedy, “he thought he had indigestion.’
“He was very stoic,” Bill says of his brother.
“He had a triple by-pass 23 years ago and also had prostate cancer later but he battled on.”
As well as racing, rugby was also a huge part of Craddock’s life.
Records show he played 28 games for Buller between 1959 and 1966 including some as captain and playing as halfback, first five and also loose forward.
A career highlight came in 1965 when he scored a try against Canterbury while another was playing for the West Coast – Buller side against the touring British Isles in 1966.
The Buller Rugby Union has paid tribute by saying :
“BRU are saddened to acknowledge the passing of Trevor Craddock #469, a proud Buller man and White Star club player who wore the red and blue jersey with distinction.
“We thank Trevor for his service and commitment to Buller Rugby, and extend our condolences to his family, friends, and the White Star club community.
Once a Buller man, always a Buller man!”
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Canice’s Catholic Church, Westport, on Friday, October 3, at 2.00pm.
