Rex Fell and son William
Trish Dunell
Popular Manawatu thoroughbred breeder and administrator Rex Fell, who died last Friday after a prolonged battle with illness, was farewelled in style at Awapuni racecourse on Wednesday.
Hundreds gathered at Fell's funeral at Awapuni on Wednesday, with prominent members of the racing fraternity travelling far and wide to pay tribute including leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
Rex Fell was an integral part of the family-owned Fairdale Stud dynasty that was established by his father Arthur Fell in the early 1900s and came to prominence as a thoroughbred nursery in the 1950s.
Fell enjoyed Fairdale's glory years when Pakistan II dominated the New Zealand sire ranks, winning six champion stallion titles through the late 1960s and 1970s.
"Racing and breeding was his life," brother Gerald Fell said.
"He knew nothing else. He grew up at Fairdale Stud, left school and spent the rest of his life with horses. He loved the horses and the people he met through his involvement. He had a wide group of friends through breeding and racing. It really was his life's passion."
In 2007, brothers Rex and Gerald split their bloodstock interests to provide certainty for their respective children and Rex and his son Will established Goodwod Stud.
Fell followed a family tradition of getting involved in racing administration and ascended to chairman of the RACE group of clubs in the Central Districts and president of the Manawatu Racing Club, which proved a fitting venue in which to say goodbye.
In a touching tribute, a pair of horses sporting the colours of both Goodwood Stud and Fairdale Stud galloped in unison down the Awapuni straight.
Fell is survived by his son Will and daughter Kate.
Hundreds gathered at Fell's funeral at Awapuni on Wednesday, with prominent members of the racing fraternity travelling far and wide to pay tribute including leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
Rex Fell was an integral part of the family-owned Fairdale Stud dynasty that was established by his father Arthur Fell in the early 1900s and came to prominence as a thoroughbred nursery in the 1950s.
Fell enjoyed Fairdale's glory years when Pakistan II dominated the New Zealand sire ranks, winning six champion stallion titles through the late 1960s and 1970s.
"Racing and breeding was his life," brother Gerald Fell said.
"He knew nothing else. He grew up at Fairdale Stud, left school and spent the rest of his life with horses. He loved the horses and the people he met through his involvement. He had a wide group of friends through breeding and racing. It really was his life's passion."
In 2007, brothers Rex and Gerald split their bloodstock interests to provide certainty for their respective children and Rex and his son Will established Goodwod Stud.
Fell followed a family tradition of getting involved in racing administration and ascended to chairman of the RACE group of clubs in the Central Districts and president of the Manawatu Racing Club, which proved a fitting venue in which to say goodbye.
In a touching tribute, a pair of horses sporting the colours of both Goodwood Stud and Fairdale Stud galloped in unison down the Awapuni straight.
Fell is survived by his son Will and daughter Kate.