Man behind owner Col McKenna’s racing and breeding portfolio reveals key to his success

Prominent owner Col McKenna will boast four runners in the Grand Annual Steeplechase but his success isn’t confined to the Warrnambool carnival.

Owner Col Mckenna (left) celebrating Jameka’s BMW win in 2017 with trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Hugh Bowman. Picture: AAP

Rarely does a Warrnambool May Carnival pass without Col McKenna’s blue and green silks being first past the post.

Jumper Bazini did the job for the local businessman in a maiden hurdle while Flash Flood finished third in the Listed Wangoom Handicap on Wednesday.

The prominent owner will have four runners at Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase meeting.

However, McKenna’s success is not confined to the Warrnambool carnival.

He won a VRC Oaks, Caulfield Cup and BMW with top staying mare Jameka while the likes of Girl Guide and Gregers have also carried McKenna’s colours to Group wins.

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Andy Makiv has been the man behind McKenna’s racing and breeding portfolio for more than two decades.

The pair met when Makiv worked at Lindsay Park but the relationship has continued to thrive when Makiv moved to his current role at Darley.

“I met him many years ago,” Makiva said.

“When I was syndicating horses for Lindsay Park, I got to know him through Darren Thomas actually.

“They’re both in the meat game.

“I met him 20-plus years ago so it’s been good.”

Bazini on his way to winning a maiden hurdle at Warrnambool on Tuesday. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

McKenna trusts Makiv’s judgement and advice when it comes to most facets of his racing and breeding stock.

“I work for Darley so he’s very pro-Darley and he’s been a great supporter of our business,” Makiv said.

“A lot of it is purchasing advice and what shares to buy and what to go into with different trainers et cetera.

“There’s also some different mating advice as well but he only probably breeds with 12 or 14 mares a year, sometimes eight.”

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But Makiv said McKenna was always keen to put his faith in young people, which led to his long-time friendship with champion trainer Ciaron Maher.

“He’s used great people like the Hayes family and Ciaron Maher along that journey as well,” Makiv said.

“They’ve obviously been great supporters as well, especially Ciaron.

“He had horses with Ciaron before anyone else did, and he’s still got them there.

“It’s a testament to their friendship and their relationship as well.”

Makiv said McKenna’s property in south-western Victoria was the final piece in his success.

He added McKenna’s farming skills and attention to feeding and raising animals meant his homebred horses had the perfect upbringing.

“He has a lot of success off a small broodmare band and a lot of that success is driven by the quality of his property,” Makiv said.

“His property is immaculate and he’s in the business of meat and milk and to grow meat and milk, you’ve got to grow grass.

“He’s an amazing farmer, first and foremost, and an amazing stockman.

“He’s a man of the land and I think that comes out in the quality of horses that he breeds.”

Originally published as Man behind owner Col McKenna’s racing and breeding portfolio reveals key to his success