Thoroughbred Breeders’ NSW would like to pay tribute to the wonderful Jennifer Churchill who sadly passed away yesterday in Sydney at the age of 87.
A well-known face in thoroughbred breeding, particularly in New South Wales, Jenny was a TBNSW member for over 60 years, including 19 years as a committee member. In the 1980s the TBNSW committee presented Jenny with a press award for “Services To The Breeding Industry’ and on her retirement from the committee in 2007 she was made a Life Member of the Association, receiving a further award to recognise her “Outstanding Contribution to the NSW Thoroughbred Industry.”
Jennifer was a journalist who specialised in thoroughbred breeding for over sixty years spending two decades as the Thoroughbreds’ Editor for The Land, Australia’s major rural newspaper.
Earlier in her career various freelance undertakings included being foundation bloodstock writer for Stud and Stable (Australia), New South Wales and Tasmanian representative for Racetrack Magazine and a regular contributor to Turf Monthly.
Jenny was founding editor of the Australian annual stallion register “Stallions” and for many years also compiled the stakes results section of the Australian Bloodhorse Review (now Bluebloods).
The early death of her husband and the necessity to provide for her two childen cut short a venture into the practical side of breeding. However, Jenny gained considerable experience in stud and stallion management by running a small stud farm for several years. She bred a number of winners including the AJC Villiers Stakes winner, Top Wing, and Grafton Horse of the Year, Sweet Portal.
In 2006, Jennifer compiled and was principal co-editor of the wonderful catalogue of global stallions, “Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World.”
TBNSW would like to offer its condolences to Jenny’s family and close friends and to thank her for her wonderful contribution to thoroughbred breeding in Australia.
Jenny is survived by her daughter Amanda and son Richard.
5 January 2021
