Racing loses two leaders

TASMANIA’S racing industry is in mourning this week after the deaths of two of the thoroughbred code’s most influential characters.

Bill Shields OAM and Clarrie Johnson made quite an impact on the industry with Shields shining in administration while Johnson was a prominent owner. Both shared a lot of success with Tasmanian Hall of Fame trainer Neil Richardson over more than 50 years.

Shields was chairman of the Tasmanian Racing Club from 1994-97 and helped guide the club through some tough times as well as contributing to its growth for which he was offered life membership.

Shields was a builder by profession and was considered the face of iconic construction company Hansen & Yuncken for more than 30 years during which he was an integral part of the construction of many buildings in the state.

His passion was racehorses and he enjoyed a lot of success with several talented gallopers.

He believed in the adage of a hard day’s toil should reap a good day’s pay, that if he had something to say to someone he would say it to their face.

Johnson raced some of Tasmania’s best-performed horses including Knock On Wood, which won multiple feature races in Tasmania and interstate. But his best was arguably Kubla Khan, which won the Devonport, Deloraine and Hobart cups in 1979 when trained by Richardson.

Johnson was 93 and Shields 87 when they passed away peacefully last Sunday and both will be sorely missed.