Photo: Supplied
Former NZTBA Councillor Herrick Perry a stalwart of the racing industry in the Manawatu, and founder of Highden Stud passed away suddenly last week.
According to his son well-known bloodstock agent Bruce Perry, at 87 his father had lived a good a full life, enhanced and enjoyed by his love of the racing industry.
“He was a gentleman who loved his horses and the industry and that was something that came through very much at his funeral earlier this week,” he said.
Herrick Leonard Perry was born in Sanson in the Manawatu in 1937 and grew up on the family sheep and beef farm. As a youngster he rode his horse to school which gave him excellent grounding as a horseman, and as a youngster bred chickens, which showed an interest in genetics from an early age.
On leaving school he went to work on the family farm but also spent some time working with a stock agent to improve his knowledge on cattle raising.
In 1959, he married Judy, and they had four children; Vicki, Andrea, Bruce and Tom. Last year they celebrated their 65th weeding anniversary with a big party.
He was a keen polo player, and achieved a five-goal rating, in 1964, his team won the Saville Cup Championship. And that good hand-eye co-ordination helped him become a good golfer.
Gardening was another passion, and he grew and showed roses, being the Champion Exhibitor at the World Rose Convention in Hamilton in 1971.
However, with the establishment of Highden Stud he put all those pursuits aside to concentrate on breeding and selling quality yearlings at the National sale at Trentham before they relocated to Karaka in the late 80’s.
He bred and sold a lot of successful horses including six individual group one winners, Bruce recalled.
“Hula Chief and Hula Drum were both group one winners, and he also bred Tristram Rose who won an Oaks,” he said.
“He imported Hula Bend in 1977, she was a wonderful broodmare and at last count she had 58 black type winners who were direct descendants.”
Perry also briefly stood Hula Town her grandson at Highden Stud.
He wound down the commercial stud operations in the late 80s but continued farming until a bad accident in 1992. He and Judy then retired to town where he rekindled his love for gardening and resumed playing golf, shooting his age at 84 and hitting a hole in one at 85.
Perry wasn’t afraid to give back to the industry he loved and was an active member of the NZTBA and served on the council from 1978 until 1987.
In the 1980’s he served as president of the Manawatu Racing Club for six years, and on the Regional Committee that served the clubs in the Manawatu and Whanganui region at that time.
Fortunately, his legacy and passion will live on through his two sons Bruce and Tom, and grandchildren Becca and Luke's commitment to the industry along with the bloodlines of Hula Bend.
