Arthur V. Kewney

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arthur Vaux Kewney (1873 – 3 July 1956)[1] was an Australian thoroughbred horseracing official, secretary of the Victoria Racing Club for 21 years.

History[]

caricature by J. H. Chinner

Kewney was born in Cheshire, England, and served a five-year apprenticeship as clerk to a Liverpool cotton-broking firm. He left England to work as a clerk in Newfoundland and New Brunswick but returned home and found employment as a traveller for a firm of paint manufacturers.[2] In 1896 he emigrated to Australia, and was employed by Phoenix Gold Mining Ltd. of Western Australia as manager and accountant.[3]

He had always been interested in the turf, having memories as a lad in Liverpool of seeing Count Charles Kinsky on Zoedone winning the Grand National in 1883, and Voluptuary, ridden by , take the same race in 1884.[2] With no prior experience he took on the job of secretary to the , and was highly successful.

He was appointed secretary of the South Australian Jockey Club in 1919, as a successor to A. O. Whitington, and was responsible for changing Morphettville from a "burrow of conservatism" [2] to a popular venue. Richer pastures lured however, and in June 1925 he was appointed secretary of the V.R.C. as a successor to H. Byron Moore,[4] who retired in May 1925 after a 44-year career with the Club and died a month later.[5]

He retired in 1946 at the age of 74.[6]

Kewney was noted for his civility and good humor. He was a devotee of racing and followed the progress of horses and jockeys avidly, but was never tempted to lay a bet.

Recognition[]

The A. V. Kewney Stakes, which has had several changes in grade and distance, was named for him.

Family[]

Kewney married Emma Olga Bertha Hedemann (died in Adelaide 1971), only daughter of F. C. Hedemann of Coolgardie, Western Australia in Perth on 6 June 1900.

References[]

  1. ^ "Victorian Racing Identity Dies". The Canberra Times. Vol. 30, no. 8, 900. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 July 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 3 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c "New V.R.C. Secretary". The Referee. No. 2000. New South Wales, Australia. 8 July 1925. p. 1. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Coolgardie Warden's Court". Kalgoorlie Miner. Vol. 6, no. 1766. Western Australia. 20 August 1901. p. 6. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "V.R.C Secretary". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. XC, no. 26, 368. South Australia. 1 July 1925. p. 11. Retrieved 3 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "The Late Byron Moore". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 15, 004. Victoria, Australia. 22 June 1925. p. 5. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "A. V. Kewney Resigns". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. 88, no. 27355. South Australia. 8 June 1946. p. 7. Retrieved 3 January 2021 – via Trove.
  7. ^ "Handicapper-Elect Born in West". The News (Adelaide). Vol. 51, no. 7, 793. South Australia. 27 July 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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