Carnival Clues

RACING MOURNS A GREAT HORSEMAN The racing industry has lost one of its finest all-rounders with the passing of Ted McCabe. Described as the "doyen" of thoroughbred education, McCabe was a rarity. "He was a bloke that did everything and got it right with no fanfare," Hawkesbury Race Club chief executive Brian Fletcher said yesterday. "Whatever the hassles were, he never passed it on to anyone. He was so loyal. When he made a decision, he never backtracked or moved sideways." McCabe was chairman of the HRC for the past 17 years and a member for 44. He also was chairman of the Provincial Race Clubs Association. McCabe was also an integral part of Jack and Bob Ingham's massive Woodlands Stud operation and continued on with Darley Stud when its owner, Sheikh Mohammed, paid $450m for the operation in 2007. "Ted was an excellent communicator, administrator and educator not only of young horses but of horsemen," Darley said in a statement. McCabe developed the Belmont Park pre-training and spelling farm at Hawkesbury. It is considered the best of its kind in the country. Horses such as Octagonal and Lonhro were just a few stars McCabe educated. "Belmont break in 250 to 300 horses a year and the staff you need to do that are difficult people," Fletcher said. "He had to manage them, he did that, he kept them going. He was a fine horseman. How many horses of the Inghams' or Darley play up at the barriers?" McCabe passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 68. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10am at St Monica's Catholic Church, Richmond.