Carl Waugh
Queensland’s thoroughbred racing industry stands taller today for the involvement of one of its forward thinking pioneers – Carl Waugh.
Born in Sydney in 1922, Waugh first mastered the art of designing cattle yards, but it was the Thoroughbred world where Waugh was to leave his mark. Having bought and established Rushlands and Bellfields studs on the Darling Downs and standing the stallions; Rush (Fr) and Rego Lad, Waugh’s involvement as a breeder produced phenomenal success.
Between years 1963 and 1984, stock bred by the Waugh family produced 4246 race wins and 9870 placings. Progeny of his stallions included Glitter D’Or, Mister Hush, Innisfree, Traffic Jam, Amber Due, Valiant Princess, Rush Again and Claire D’Or. Bloodhorse Breeders Association records show Waugh’s average number of winners and placegetters produced per week for 20 years was 13.57. Waugh was himself for many years vice president and a committee member of the Queensland Bloodhorse Breeders Association.
In 1979 he designed and built the Gold Coast horse sales complex. He was also founder of the Golden Nugget and Magic Millions sales and races together with Mick Kruger (Lyndhurst Stud) and Gordon MacNicol (Gainsborough Lodge).
That concept produced Queensland’s first million-dollar race ‘The Magic Millions’ which was surpassed at the time, in terms of prize money, only by the Melbourne Cup. The incentive racing idea, which boosted breeding potential, has since been acknowledged and copied worldwide.
Waugh is remembered as a dedicated family man who assisted people not only to get started in the industry but also helping them at a personal level. He was regarded as a dedicated horseman who lived life to the fullest.
His contribution to Australian racing perhaps can be measured in millions.