Duffs Celebrate Racing History

Four generations of Duffs gathered for the family photo … the oldest Duff family member present, Terry, 88, (the oldest surviving son of JP Duff) and JP Duff’s great-great granddaughter Lily Kirk, from Gayndah (held by her mum Taylor), cut the cake

July 7, 2025

The Duff family name is synonymous in the South Burnett with three things … cattle, council and horse racing.

Generations of the family have served on a local council or two (the current South Burnett mayor is Kathy Duff) and the family’s cattle properties are well-known throughout the district.

But it is the third trait which was the focus of attention on Saturday at the delayed winter race meeting at Wondai.

The Duff Memorial Race Day was originally scheduled to be held on May 31 but bad weather forced a last-minute postponement.

The delay enabled extended Duff relatives to flock to Wondai from across Queensland to celebrate the five races sponsored in memory of members of the family.

The races acknowledged Stephanie, Lewis (the family patriarch who was extremely active in the early days of the old Wondai Jockey Club), Kevin, Neal and “JP” (John Patrick) Duff – all linked to horses via thoroughbred racing or campdrafting,

Well-known trainer Cedric Duff presented many of the trophies but the whole family joined in to congratulate the victors of Race 5, the JP Duff Memorial.

Enjoying a day at the races were Haley Moloney, St George; Alyssa Hempsall, Sunshine Coast; and Ariel Morris, Tingoora

Debra Kimber and Paul Shakespeare, from Mundubbera, were taking a break in the undercover area

Stephen Duff, from Gympie, with South Burnett Race Club patron Roy Radunz and South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff

Aleisha Roberts and Harriet, 3, from Wondai … Harriet stole the judges’ hearts in the junior Fashions of the Field competition while her mum was runner-up in the women’s competition

Having fun at the races were Braelyn Goschnick, Wondai; Summer Adams, Yarraman; Tahlia and Reagon Goschnick, Wondai; Rylee Edwards, Ipswich and Hudson Rogerson, from Coolabunia

Abby McGlashan, from Redcliffe, with Teneille Mealing, Brodie 4, and Deegan, 6, from Kingaroy

Fashions of the Field winner Verelle O’Shanesy, from Jandowae, with runner-up Aleisha Roberts, from Wondai

South Burnett Community Orchestra member Liz Hayward is NOT giving racecaller (and South Burnett Online columnist) Ross Stanley a blast … Liz played a fanfare ahead of the start of each race into Ross’ microphone so it could be broadcast across the PA system

Mayor Kathy Duff is widely known as “the pink lady”, but pink has been an integral part of the Duff family’s registered racing colours for much longer … the colours began as emerald green (acknowledging the family’s Irish background) with the pink maltese cross added not long afterwards

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The meeting began on solemn note with a minute’s silence for Kumbia Race Club president – and Burrandowan Race Club vice-president – Tom Moloney who died on June 28.

The well-known local trainer had two horses racing at Wondai – Diggity and Igbo – but unfortunately neither were placed.

Tom’s funeral was held at the Virgo Funeral Chapel at Taabinga Cemetery on Monday.

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Unfortunately, the race meeting itself was not without drama.

The start of Race 3 was delayed by more than half an hour after one of the runners, Twopence, reared several times on its way towards the barriers, dislodging jockey Perrie Carter.

Carter avoided serious injury but was assessed by QAS paramedics before being taken by ambulance to Kingaroy Hospital, forcing rider changes in the later races.

Tragically, Twopence was not so lucky. The four-year-old mare bolted down the track towards bushland, but suffered a critical injury while jumping the external running rail.

And in Race 4, a mob of kangaroos crossed the track near the 400m mark as the field was approaching but the stewards said the incident had no impact on the running of the race.

Perrie Carter on the track after she was dislodged from the saddle before the start of Race 3

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Race Results

Cedric Duff presented the Stephanie Duff Memorial Trophy after Race 1 to Summer Star owner Ange Edwards … Stephanie Duff (1936-1993) was Cedric’s sister and was involved in training the Duff stable but she also made a unique contribution to racing at Wondai; during the 1960s she stepped in to become the race caller at one stage after the rostered caller could not make it (possibly the only time a woman has called the races at Wondai?)

Race 1 – Stephanie Duff Memorial Benchmark 55 Handicap (1577m)
1. Summer Star (6) – Julie Busuttin
2. Great Angles (7) – Kenji Yoshida
3. Whistlin’ Ruler (9) – Kelly Gates
Time: 1:38.14
Margins: Long neck x 1 1/4 lengths

Race 2 – Lewis Duff Memorial Open Handicap (1100m)
1. Holiday Dreams (2) – Shakira Bailey
2. Zena Boy (3) – Colleen Krahnen
3. City Chick (1) – Perrie Carter
Time: 1:05.19
Margins: 1 3/4 lengths x 4 lengths

Race 3 – Kevin Duff Memorial Maiden Plate (1000m)
1. Smackeroony (4) – Morgan Butler
2. Woolmar (2) – Julie Busuttin
3. Whataboom (5) – Colleen Krahnen
Time: 0:59.38
Margins: 7 lengths x 1 3/4 length

Race 4 – Neal Duff Memorial Benchmark 55 Handicap (1000m)
1. Sutherland (9) – Kenji Yoshida
2. Amphawa (2) – Kayla Barker
3. Braidwood Queen (7) – Chris Taylor
Time: 0:59.56
Margins: 2 3/4 lengths x 3 1/2 lengths

Race 5 – JP Duff Memorial Benchmark 50 Handicap (850m)
1. Luminous Waters (8) – Colleen Krahnen
2. The Rattlesnake (1) – Shakira Bailey
3. Late Night Devil (5) – Chris Taylor
Time: 0:50.14
Margins: 1/2 length x 3 1/2 lengths