Vale, Brian Toole

Media Release - Friday January 26

The Toole family of Kambula Stud, South Australia, are saddened to announce the sudden passing of Brian John Toole (BJ) aged 85 on Monday.

A well-known figure in the thoroughbred industry, Brian was born into a racing family and learned the ropes under his father Lawrie's guidance as a youngster at Kambula Stud.

Brian is pictured with wife Bette, Suman Hedge, son David, and grand daughter Rebecca and grand son Mitchell at a recent Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Following Lawrie's passing in 1959, 20-year-old Brian took over the reins at Kambula, alongside his then 18-year-old brother Peter.

With the help of Brian's wife Bette, the brothers grew Kambula into one of South Australia's most successful thoroughbred studs, standing numerous stallions and breeding top racehorses such as Favoured (STC Queen Of The Turf), Inner Magic (STC Reisling Slipper), Bianca (Black Opal) and Lady Fontaine (SAJC Oaks).

From 1995 onwards, Brian and Bette's son David joined them in running the family business. They kicked off the new era of Kambula Stud with the addition of dual Group 1 winner Blevic, who stood at the property for 16 seasons and sired 25 stakes winners, winning nine South Australian Champion Sire titles.

Advertisement

Brian and Peter were recognised for their accomplishments in the industry as recipients of the SA Thoroughbred Breeders’ prestigious Matrice Award in 2005. Brian was a Committee member of the SATB for 22 years and awarded Life Membership of the organisation. Brian was the proudest man at the 2014 SATB Horse of the Year Dinner when Blevic was announced as the Matrice Award honouree.

Retired from working on the farm in recent years, Brian has still been a familiar friendly face at the Adelaide Magic Millions every year, always keen for a chat and keeping the team on their toes.

Brian is survived by his wife of 60 years Bette, seven children, 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Brian's funeral will be held on Thursday, February 1st at the Kadina Catholic Church at 1pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.