Former NZTBA Southland branch president and national councillor Onawe Miller was last night elected a Life Member of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.
Her nomination was proposed by current South Island councillor Ray Dennis, and seconded by Life Member and former councillor Robin Archer. Onawe is only the second woman in the 55-year history of the NZTBA to be awarded Life Membership, after the late Pat O'Brien.
Onawe Miller's work with the Association began almost 30 years ago when she joined the Southland branch committee and continued through and beyond her term as an NZTBA councillor in 1992-93. Her energy, charm and flair for organisation raised the profile of the NZTBA in Southland and gave southern members a strong sense of connection with the national body. She is particularly associated with the Southland Black Type dinners which celebrate the achievements of Southland breeders.
Onawe herself has achieved notable success in the breeding industry from the Winton farm she owns with her husband Murray. Her mare Meadow Bell left Group 3 winner Super Dude (by Super Gray) and the wonderful producer Winter White (by Sir Godfrey), dam of five winners of 34 races from seven named foals to date, among them Sopherim (13 wins incl. SRC Invercargill Gold Cup G3), Australian stakeswinner Ronzino (eight wins) and stakes-placed Air Cooled (two wins). Other winners from this family include Titan Happiness, winner of six races in Singapore, and this season's stakes-placed filly Cat Shmea.
Onawe is also a regular and successful vendor at the New Zealand yearling sales, selling Volksraad colts from Winter White and Sopherim for $130,000 and $80,000 respectively in the past three years.
- Susan Archer
Her nomination was proposed by current South Island councillor Ray Dennis, and seconded by Life Member and former councillor Robin Archer. Onawe is only the second woman in the 55-year history of the NZTBA to be awarded Life Membership, after the late Pat O'Brien.
Onawe Miller's work with the Association began almost 30 years ago when she joined the Southland branch committee and continued through and beyond her term as an NZTBA councillor in 1992-93. Her energy, charm and flair for organisation raised the profile of the NZTBA in Southland and gave southern members a strong sense of connection with the national body. She is particularly associated with the Southland Black Type dinners which celebrate the achievements of Southland breeders.
Onawe herself has achieved notable success in the breeding industry from the Winton farm she owns with her husband Murray. Her mare Meadow Bell left Group 3 winner Super Dude (by Super Gray) and the wonderful producer Winter White (by Sir Godfrey), dam of five winners of 34 races from seven named foals to date, among them Sopherim (13 wins incl. SRC Invercargill Gold Cup G3), Australian stakeswinner Ronzino (eight wins) and stakes-placed Air Cooled (two wins). Other winners from this family include Titan Happiness, winner of six races in Singapore, and this season's stakes-placed filly Cat Shmea.
Onawe is also a regular and successful vendor at the New Zealand yearling sales, selling Volksraad colts from Winter White and Sopherim for $130,000 and $80,000 respectively in the past three years.
- Susan Archer
