Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is mourning the loss of one of its most respected horsemen and industry members, Peter Stanaway, who passed away peacefully late last week following a short illness. He was 80.
A lifetime devoted to thoroughbreds
For decades, Stanaway was a familiar and highly respected figure throughout New Zealand's thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. A key member of the Cambridge Stud team under the late Sir Patrick Hogan for more than a quarter of a century, Stanaway earned an outstanding reputation as a horseman and was regularly entrusted with leading the farm's elite yearlings through the sales ring.
Long-time Cambridge Stud manager Marcus Corban said Stanaway's calm nature, exceptional horsemanship and honest eye for a horse made him invaluable.
Peter Stanaway | Image courtesy of Race Images
"Pete Stanaway was very hard working and an exceptionally good horseman who never panicked under pressure," Corban said.
Corban said Stanaway had dedicated his life to the thoroughbred industry.
"Pete put his whole life into the industry. As a young guy he started and he gave his life to the game, so it's kind of the end of an era.
"Pete put his whole life into the industry. As a young guy he started and he gave his life to the game, so it's kind of the end of an era." - Marcus Corban
"He was a very good horseman, had a great temperament with the horses, he was a great family man, had a very good eye for a horse, always had a cigarette in his mouth and stayed relaxed. That was Pete."
Trusted by the industry's biggest names
Corban said Stanaway's quiet manner disguised just how influential and respected he was behind the scenes.
"He was an interesting guy. He didn't want to take responsibility for too much, but he would do anything that was asked of him or anything that needed doing.
"He'd drive the trucks, foal the mares, he had a great and natural knack of leading horses and he'd never panic."
"He'd (Peter Stanaway) drive the trucks, foal the mares, had a great knack of leading horses and he'd never panic." - Marcus Corban
His ability with horses and people alike saw many of the industry's leading owners and buyers seek him out.
"Even in his later years at the stud he would always work hard. I remember one year Gai Waterhouse liked to see the yearlings paraded a certain way and she asked Pete to parade nearly all of them.
Marcus Corban | Image courtesy of Cambridge Stud
"You wouldn't have known it, but at the end of it, he was absolutely knackered. He'd pop around the back afterwards and have to sit down, but he never wanted anyone to know. That's just the sort of guy he was."
Corban said Stanaway developed close relationships with influential owners, buyers and trainers, including Melbourne owner Ron Cook and John Hawkes.
"Pete chose some nice horses for Ron Cook who was a big owner in Melbourne, he'd fly Peter over for a week's holiday and drink beers and talk about racing.
"When John Hawkes came over with the Inghams, I just let Pete deal with John, because they had such a good relationship, and it made my job easier, he was also very good mates with Ross McDonald and Jack Searle.”
John Hawkes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"Those sort of people liked dealing with Pete because he had a good eye for a horse. He was very direct in what he liked and they took a lot of advice from him.
"Typical Pete, he'd just sit down with a can of beer and talk to them. He never made a big song and dance about things - that was Pete."
A mentor to generations
Corban said one of Stanaway's greatest legacies was the time he invested in teaching young horse people.
"He was such a natural leader and nothing fazed him. Patrick was a real perfectionist, but it still wouldn't bother Pete.
"He (Peter Stanaway) was such a natural leader and nothing fazed him. Patrick was a real perfectionist, but it still wouldn't bother Pete." - Marcus Corban
"A lot of young people would freeze with Patrick, Bart Cummings and all those people standing there, but Pete never worried about it. He'd just wander out and nothing would faze him."
He said Stanaway willingly passed on his knowledge to countless young staff.
"He was good at teaching young people. He helped Julian, my son, he was great with Mark and Lorraine Forbes early on, and he helped a lot of those young people.
"A lot of his peers really respected him, but he probably didn't get the recognition he deserved, in my opinion.
"A lot of his (Peter Stanaway) peers really respected him, but he probably didn't get the recognition he deserved." - Marcus Corban
"He was straight up, a bit abrupt, but he was very well liked and a good person."
Former long-time Cambridge Stud foaling manager Mallory Phillips said Stanaway's patient approach made him an exceptional teacher.
"He was pretty laid back, very laid back, but he was also very meticulous.
"He (Peter Stanaway) was pretty laid back, very laid back, but he was also very meticulous." - Mallory Phillips
"He had the 'she'll be right' attitude, but at the same time, if you didn't do something right, you knew about it, in the right way, and he would then show you how to do it properly and you would soon become an expert."
Phillips recalled Stanaway's willingness to teach every newcomer, regardless of experience.
Mallory Phillips | Image courtesy of Cambridge Stud
"For example, our yearlings used to be in the straw boxes. If you didn't know how to do a straw box, he would teach you and by the end of it you'd be a professional.
"He was always willing to teach young people, no matter how much experience they had or whether they were beginners."
She said his quiet presence around the foaling paddocks left a lasting impression.
"He was out there night and day in the foaling paddock. No matter what time it was, if a young person wanted to learn, he'd be sitting on a bucket or leaning against the fence with a cigarette in his hand, quietly assisting and telling them everything they needed to know, while still letting them learn for themselves.
"He was unflappable, very patient with the horses and he really loved his horses. He loved his animals."
"He (Peter Stanaway) was unflappable, very patient with the horses and he really loved his horses. He loved his animals." - Mallory Phillips
An enduring legacy
Corban said Stanaway's work ethic never diminished, whether at Cambridge Stud or later assisting Graeme and Debbie Rogerson by transporting horses to trials and race meetings around New Zealand.
"He did a great job at Cambridge Stud. His driving was remarkable. He'd drive to the Central Districts to pick up mares for Patrick, bring them home, have two cups of coffee and a smoke, then be back at work at six o'clock the next morning with another cigarette.
"Even on his days off he'd get shitty if I didn't ring him when there was an emergency. That's the sort of bloke he was - he always wanted to be part of it."
Graeme Rogerson | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Corban said Stanaway thoroughly enjoyed his later years working with the Rogerson stable.
"He loved his time at Rogie's, doing all the driving, chatting to everyone and staying linked to the game. Everyone's going to miss him. Gary Mudgway was a good mate of his and he'll miss him too.
"Pete helped a lot of youngsters at Cambridge Stud. He's a big loss to the New Zealand industry. He made more of an impact than people realise because he gave his life to the game."
Stanaway is survived by his beloved wife, Nevis, and his family, who remained at the centre of his life throughout his years in the industry.
A memorial service to celebrate Peter Stanaway's life will be held at Woodside Estate, Woodside Road, Matangi, on Thursday, 2 July 2026 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Waikato would be appreciated and may be left at the service.
