Vale Les Purdon

Les Purdon, a member of New Zealand’s greatest harness racing family, passed away on March 1, at the age of 83.

Purdon followed in the footsteps of his father Hugh Purdon by embracing a career in harness racing along with his other brothers Roy, Sandy, Foster and Joe.

At just 16, and still at school he drove Captain Star, trained by his father, to his first win at an Auckland matinee. He ultimately drove 235 winners, his last being behind Galaxy at Alexandra Park in March 1985.

He started out as a private trainer for the Baker brothers in Clevedon, with his first winner on his own account being Goodray's victory in the Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes as a 23-year-old in 1966. The same Clevedon property is now the training establishment used by his nephew and Hall of Fame trainer Barry Purdon (and Scott Phelan).

Moving to Pukekohe Les and his late wife Lesley rented boxes at the local track. Robbie Hughes at that time worked for Les and said “they could often have 20 or so horses although a number of those were for Bob McArdle, waiting to be flown out to America”.

A remarkable horseman and also a visionary, Purdon soon saw the potential of the American market. Heading up South Pacific Standardbred Agency, and buying horses for American owners such as Norman Brill, a prominent businessman in New York. He built lasting partnerships with the American buyers, ensuring that New Zealand-bred horses made their mark on the world stage.

His winners in the United States included horses such as Shannon, Onassis, Nimbo Stratus, and Soundproof.

A young Brian Hughes would be one of many to travel with Purdon to the states.

“Max Brewer a commentator from Monticello Raceway would come out and buy and lease horses," says Hughes, "Les and I went back with Max and trained for him often staying in some sub standard accommodation and in freezing weather, not to mention dealing with some ruthless characters."

"It was tough but we worked hard and played hard."

"They raced at tracks like Freehold, Allentown New Jersey, Yonkers and Monticello. At that time, the Meadowlands had not been built”.

Purdon's influence extended beyond training. He also had an eye for talent at the yearling sales. In 1978 he purchased Marconi, a full brother to Markovina, for $23,000, one of the highest prices for the morning session in Christchurch.

After many years travelling to and from America and often away from his wife Lesley and his three young children for months at a time Purdon settled with his family at their Harrisville Road property in Pukekohe. Here Les trained a small team of horses. He had more than 200 wins either on his own account or in partnership with Fraser Kirk, Steven Reid and Les’ daughter Angela.

“He was an extremely good horseman and a very good driver," says Reid, "He never did a big team, maybe about ten but he really focussed on his horses. They were always brushed up and they looked immaculate. He was a very good feeder and paid attention to detail. They’re the two things I took away from working with Les.”

Some of the many horses Les trained over this time were the likes of Arabian Blue, Reilly, As Required, Gales Fella, Chance With Vance and Born to Trot who went on to win the New Zealand Two Year Old Trotting Stakes at Addington

Still keeping his hand in the market Les and good friend Bob Lund of Burlington Air Express worked together exporting horses and here began LC Purdon International as we know it today.

Purdon transitioned from training to focus on LC Purdon International.

“I worked with Les over 25 years. He had a great knowledge of the harness racing industry and I very much enjoyed hearing about his experiences within it," said former IRT new Zealand Managing Director Ross Johnson.

"He was a man’s man whose word was his bond. We never needed a contract or anything written down, it was all done with an acknowledgment over the phone or a hand shake. He touched many lives and I feel grateful to have worked with him”.

In recent years Purdon  enjoyed helping out at Lincoln Farms by doing general maintenance while still organising the occasional horse deal. He had earlier sold the property to John and Lynne Street.

Purdon was diagnosed with cancer six months ago which slowed him down from doing the things he loved.

Dad died peacefully surrounded by his three children Wendy, Angela and Adrian with Trackside playing in the background

The Purdon family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have reached out with support and tributes.