Former jockey Herbie Rauhihi, who was revered by many young hoops in the Central Districts, has passed away, aged 86.
One of those impressionable young riders was Noel Harris, who would go on to become one of New Zealand’s most decorated jockeys.
Harris looked up to Rauhihi from the outset of his riding career and he said Rauhihi made a big impression on him in his formative years in the saddle.
“He was a champion guy,” Harris said. “He rode for my Dad, Eric Ropiha, and all the good trainers around Woodville.
“He was a great person to follow through a race, he taught me so much. He was my idol, and he was so patient.
“Without even asking he would come over and put me in the right direction when I started riding. He was just a lovely jockey and just a gentleman.”
While Rauhihi was a great mentor to young riders, he had plenty of success in the saddle himself, even rubbing shoulders with royalty, having met Queen Elizabeth II in 1970 following his victory aboard Every Post in the Captain James Cook Handicap at Trentham.
“He rode Every Post for a trainer called Gary Lee from down south, and he met the Queen,” Harris said.
“Young Ida was a top horse he rode for Eric Temperton. He won races on her in New Zealand and Australia.
“He even rode over fences, he was adaptable.”
Rauhihi also rode in Australia’s most coveted race, the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), on several occasions, with his best result being a third in the 1969 edition aboard Fans.
Harris said Rauhihi was a likeable character and can recall a plethora of humorous anecdotes about the talented horseman.
“I remember him going to the races one day at Hawera and it was raining,” Harris said. “There weren’t declared riders there, so he turned around and went to a double feature Western at the movies instead.”
Rauhihi had a great love for the horse and riding, a passion he would continue well past his retirement as a jockey.
“Even when he gave up race riding, he was still riding track work in Foxton,” Harris said. “Most people when they give up riding, that was it, but not Herbie.
“He was a legend to me.”
A celebration of Rauhihi's life will be held this Friday, June 13, at 11am at Poutu Marae, near Shannon, before he is taken on a final lap of Foxton Racecourse. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
