The Victorian breeding industry lost an unsung hero and a link with history with the recent passing of Bill Birch, stud manager for 27 years at the famed Mornmoot Stud at Whittlesea.
Bill was the man behind champion sire Century during his stellar career and the pair had a long and very close association.
Century retired to Mornmoot, owned by David and Lillian Leighton, after a brilliant career in which he claimed the VRC Newmarket H., Lightning S., Ascot Vale S., VRC Sires Produce S and Freeway H (now Manikato S).
At stud, under Bill's care, he quickly established himself as a stallion of note and in 1978 claimed Champion Australian Sire honours. His legacy lived on through his sire sons Rubiton, Centaine, Stage Hit and Double Century and a long list of outstanding producing broodmare daughters.
Bill was born into racing with his mother among the first licenced female trainers in the UK. After a short stint as a jumps jockey Bill worked with a number of leading stables including four years with the legendary Sir Noel Murless before moving to Australia in 1967.
He was offered a position with the great TJ Smith stables in Sydney but opted to go into the stud field and had stints with noted farms before being offered the lead role at Mornmoot.
He and wife Ros, daughter Sarah and son David spent 27 years at the farm until its sale following the death of Century.
Bill was a very modest man who never sought the limelight or recognition for his role in the career of Century who he described a a stallion of great manners, intelligent and a great mate.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 12 at the Whittlesea Bowls Club at 11.30am on what would have been Bill's 81st birthday.
Rest in Peace Bill.
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