Respected equine veterinarian Dr Bill Ewen remembered fondly

[Wandering Eyes]

A brilliant mind, a love of animals and a massive contribution to many facets of the racing and breeding industry are being recalled following the death of Matamata equine veterinarian Dr Bill Ewen.

His sudden death at his home last Tuesday aged 68 followed a period of poor health.

After growing up in Auckland and studying at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, Ewen was an honours with distinction graduate in 1979 and put his degree to good use with one of the country’s eminent equine veterinary practices, Thompson and Marks.

In due course he became a partner and was to forge his career in both the breeding and performance sides of the industry.

“After completing his secondary education at King’s College, Bill was accepted for both the Auckland and Otago University medical schools as well as Massey University,” his wife Jane recalled.

“I suspect his parents would have preferred him to become a doctor, but his love of animals won over and while he did qualify as a doctor, it was as a veterinarian.”

Another aspect of Ewen’s formative years included attending race meetings at nearby Ellerslie racecourse, which was another seed that led to specialising in equine medicine.

Colin Thompson’s son John, best known now as the principal of Rich Hill Stud, remembers Ewen’s arrival in Matamata off the back of a phone call to the Thompson residence seeking employment.

“Two things from the call that my mother took stood out – Bill’s polite request for my father to call him back at his convenience, and to make it a collect call.

“Then when Colin did call him back, he was further impressed by Bill’s qualifications, which led to him getting a job at Thompson and Marks and eventually becoming a partner in the practice.”

The younger Thompson was to form a lasting relationship with Ewen, initially in his role as broodmare manager at Blandford Lodge and then when he established Rich Hill Stud.

“While Colin and Jim were his seniors, in breeding matters as new technologies developed, Bill became something of the breeding guru of the practice.

“The biggest change was the ultrasound scan in the late 1980s, which revolutionised the assessment of mares in their breeding cycles.

“One of his skills at the vet bail was his ability to remember a mare’s follicle from one day to the next and using that knowledge to determine optimum covering times.

“Bill had that unique ability to explain things in layman’s terms and he was always the same mellow guy, no matter how hectic his schedule might be during the peak of the breeding season.”

Cambridge veterinarian Dr Paul Fraser, one of Ewen’s contemporaries over many years, remembers him for not only his professional skills but also the other facets of his persona.

“Bill was one of those guys who was always seeking knowledge and involvement, not just as a vet but also fully immersing himself in so many aspects of racing as an owner and breeder and as an administrator.

“He had this passion for sport, just about every sport. With all respect I have to say that with Bill’s passing, the world has lost one of its greatest sports observers.

“Amongst his veterinary colleagues he was so popular, a really good guy who will be missed.”

On both a professional and personal level, few were closer to Ewen than former Matamata, now Karaka, trainer Lance Noble.

“From the time I arrived in Matamata as a 17-year-old to work for Jim Gibbs, Bill became one of my mentors,” Noble said. “I was keen to learn as much as I could and he was the perfect guy to explain things.

“He became my stable vet when I went training on my own, which included helping with my yearling selections. He worked alongside two of the best equine vets of that era and like Colin and Jim, Bill bred, sold and raced his own horses, which made him very well-rounded as far as practical knowledge and understanding went.

“He became a very loyal friend, which included our mutual love of sport. Rugby union and cricket were his favourites, and in his mind there were only two rugby teams – the All Blacks and the Blues.

“He would have been pretty niggly after the Chiefs beat the Blues so narrowly in Hamilton on Saturday night, but no matter what, he never lost that great sense of humour.

“Our many trips to his favourite sports ground, Eden Park, were just the best fun as the carload debated team selections on the way north and even when the All Blacks invariably won, the drive home was all about what they could have done better.”

In racing administration, Ewen gave more than 25 years’ service to the Matamata Racing Club, beginning as a steward, then as a committee member and in the final nine years as a director, after which he was accorded life membership in 2023.

Bill Ewen’s funeral service is scheduled for 11am this Thursday at the All Saints Anglican Church in Matamata, followed by a gathering at the Matamata racecourse.

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