BLAST FROM THE PAST
W E LOWE
W E (TED) LOWE
Ted Lowe, who died in Ashburton last week, was one of New Zealand's best known amatuer horsemen.
From his farm near Hinds in the Maronan district of Mid-Canterbury, Ted Lowe produced a string of top class pacers over the years, and numbered two NZ Cups to his credit. His first Cup victory came in 1964 with Cairnbrae, trained and driven by the late Ces Donald, but in 1968 Ted had his own moment of glory, as trainer-driver of Humphrey, who took out the premier staying event. Many Lowe horses were named after areas in the Mid-Canterbury district, and a drive along the back roads is like a roll call of many of his early winners - Lyndhurst, Lautiston, Mitcham, Barrhill etc.
Better known winners of recent times to race in the Lowe colours include the former New Zealand mile record holder Wag (1:57.2) who set his mark in winning the then Stars Travel Miracle Mile (now Pan Am Mile), Dundas, Atanui, Grouse, Corwar, Stortford Lodge, The Raider, Urrall, Pun, Wing Commander, West Street, Templar and Siouan to name a few.
Ted Lowe had been in ill health for a good number of years, largely caused by the long period he spent as a prisoner of war in Norway during the Second World War, being captured at El Alamein when serving with the 20th Battalion. Few major races escaped Lowe representatives, though he was never to produce a Derby winner. If sentiment were to rectify this state of affairs, Samson would have taken out the 1985 Great Northern Derby at Alexandra Park just two days before Ted's death. Samson was favourite for this event, on the strength of his brilliant lead-up form, but unfortunately went off-stride soon after the start and took no part in the race.
Ted also took a very active role in trotting administration, serving the Trotting Owners and Trainers Association in Mid-Canterbury, and the Ashburton Trotting Club. He joined the Ashburton Trotting Club committee in 1958 after several years as a steward, was President from 1977 to 1980, then was re-elected to the committee again in 1983 after three years as immediate past president.
Until his retirement from race driving at the age of 65, Ted did much of his own driving, but encouraged young reinsmen in his employ. George Adamson drove many winners in the Lowe colours, and in recent seasons Paul Young has proved a highly successful stable reinsman.
Ted Lowe is survived by his wife Lillian and six step-children. He was 71 at the time of his death.
Credit: 26 Mar 1965
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