Central West mourning the loss of an industry pioneer

By Jordan Gerrans

The Central West racing community is mourning the loss of a local icon who paved the way for more female representation at an administrative level in the industry. 

Kate Deane, who became one of Australia's first female racing club president's back in 1986, passed away on Thursday of last week.

She was 100 years of age.

The Longreach Jockey Club, where the pioneer of the industry was a patron and life member, only recently hosted a function for Deane to celebrate her reaching triple figures in May.

Despite battling with her health in recent years, Deane was still a regular at the Longreach track and was guided to the races by hard-working volunteer Helen Morton.

Long-time Central West horseman Garry Browne summed up the late Deane’s contribution to the wider industry succinctly.

“She was more than a legend – she was a beautiful, beautiful person with it,” the local trainer said.

“You talk good Group 1 horses; she was the best of them. She was a champion of a person. She loved her racing.”

In recent years, the Longreach club have often named races in their treasured club patron’s honour.

Deane’s deep interest and love for equine athletes goes back many generations for her family in the Central West.

Her grandfather Rowley Edkins was a founding club member at Longreach, as well as holding the title of president for more than four decades, while her father Beau Edkins became president in 1948 and remained in the position until 1960.

Deane lived in the town for her entire life and had a deep passion for racing.

Longreach Jockey Club president Andrew Watts speaks with great pride when noting Deane was the first female to lead to a race club in Australia.

“Her leadership and service transformed not only our club but also the place of women in Australian racing,” Watts said.

“From the committee table to the trackside rail, her presence inspired all who knew her.

“Kate’s legacy is woven into every race we run and every barrier we break. Her impact will continue to echo across outback racing for years to come.”

Following Deane's elevation to the president position at Longreach, many other females have followed in her footsteps in the decades since to run clubs across the Sunshine State. 

In recent years, the former club president had gone blind and could no longer see the horses going around the track.

But, she still enjoyed the experience.  

The Longreach club organised a special spot for their club patron to sit and bask in the atmosphere.

Browne saluted in the Longreach Cup of 2016 with a galloper named Conquistador.

The former jockey has known the Deane clan for generations and continued that close bond when he went into the training ranks.

Just moments after Conquistador won over 1400 metres with John Lait doing the steering, Deane had a suspicion that it may have been Browne’s horse who had claimed the annual Cup feature.

“I could hear a horse coming and I was hoping it was your one,” Browne recalls the former club boss saying.

“My horse came from behind and ran over the top of them.

“She could hear them coming, she was that involved and loved it so much, she had that concentration. She loved the sound and smell of it.

“She never missed a meeting hey, right until the end. She would sit in her spot and listen to the horses.”

Speaking to the ABC in 2020, the late industry figure detailed her passion for racing.

“I would not have missed a meeting in I do not know how many years,” Deane said back in 2020.

“I love racing. Even though I cannot see now, I can still feel the atmosphere and I can hear the horses galloping or in the saddling enclosure before they go out to race. That sort of thing means a lot to me.”

One of Deane’s grandchildren – Phil – often accompanied her to the track.

The Edkins and Deane clans have been heavily involved in several types of horse sports over the generations.

“All grandma’s daughters used to ride and a lot of them still do, they have been very successful in other horse disciplines, as well,” Phil said in 2023. 

“They have competed in dressage, show jumping and eventing. Our family grew up with horses and have been a big part of our family for a very long time.”

The Longreach club will host their annual Newmarket race day this Saturday with a number of plans in the works to honour the memory of one of their club greats.