The Western Australian harness racing industry is in mourning following the death of one of its most respected figures, leading trainer Barry Howlett. The 70-year-old conditioner passed away on Monday morning after a battle with bowel cancer.
From Humble Beginnings to a Training Empire
Barry Howlett's remarkable journey in the sport began from the bottom. At just 16 years of age, he started working for Cowaramup trainer John Marsden. According to his daughter, Katie, Marsden and Jim Enright taught him everything he knew. Howlett often credited Marsden's old-school horsemanship, a philosophy he carried throughout his career.
He built his stable from humble origins, beginning with a broodmare named Common Peace. His first major purchase was the mare Lights Above, bought for $3000 with his wife Lynley. In a story that became legend, Howlett drove six hours one-way to Merredin for a last-chance qualifier to get her into the 1994 State Sires' Series Final. She won that race, scraped into the final, and then triumphed from barrier eight. That $90,000 in earnings paid for the family property where they still live.
A Legacy of Champion Horses and Patience
Barry Howlett's name became synonymous with top-tier talent in WA. He trained a host of Group 1 winners, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. His standout performers included WA Derby champion Three Blind Mice, Pearl Classic winner, and the brilliant pacer Jack Mac, who claimed the Golden Slipper.
Perhaps his finest training performance came with Jack Mac. The horse arrived in Howlett's Busselton stable after five unplaced runs in New Zealand. Under Howlett's care, he reeled off nine consecutive victories and won 14 of his 16 starts in WA before an injury cut his career short.
Other stars from his barn over the last decade included the one-time Gloucester Park track record holder Talktomeurmattjesty, along with Group winners Little Darling, Our Maestoso, Flametree, and Star Of Diamonds. He also secured the Trotters Cup with Sunnys Little Whiz.
Katie Howlett highlighted her father's unique approach. "Almost all of his horses were selected as yearlings or weanlings or bred," she said. "He had a knack for patience. He didn't work them too hard, and they all had shiny coats and big, round bums. Horses were his biggest passion, and he never did anything that would hurt or scare them."
The Legacy Continues
Barry Howlett had begun to step back from training, selling his Geographe Tree Services business in January last year to enjoy more time as an owner. Notably, he sent Little Darling to trainer Cameron Ross, who guided her to victory in November's Group 1 Mares Classic.
In his absence, his daughter Katie and son Jimmy aim to continue the family operation. Katie is applying for an upgrade to her B-grade training licence to maintain the stable. "Nothing here will change. We'll have the same staff, and all of us run the stable," she said. "I wish I had more of his knowledge."
Remembered as a private man who shunned the spotlight, Howlett's mantra was simple: "There are no champion trainers, only champion horses." His daughter described him as the hardest-working, most decent, kind, and generous person, who built his success from nothing. "We're a bit lost without him," she said.
Racing Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
In related WA racing news, it was confirmed that respected media personality Jim Chadwick and star greyhound Sand Pebble will be inducted into the WA Racing Hall of Fame on February 22 at a gala ceremony at Optus Stadium.
Chadwick, 90, was a jockey until 34 before becoming a leading commentator across harness, thoroughbred, and greyhound racing. Sand Pebble won 35 races from 63 starts, including the 1990 Group 1 Perth Cup by nearly 11 lengths, and became a prolific broodmare.
Trials Form at Lark Hill
On the track, the Grant and Alana Williams-trained mare London's Image impressed at Monday's Lark Hill trials, winning a 950m heat by two and three-quarter lengths. In a previous heat, the Williams' stablemate Miss Skyhigh was narrowly defeated by a nose by Triple Jay, prepared by Dan and Ben Pearce.
