Community patron modest about honour

Winning the 2014 Wellington Cup with Graphic was one of the more memorable moments in Christopher and Susanna Grace's life - that is until the QSM he received at Queen's Birthday. Photo/Supplied

A half-century involvement with the New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry and a lifetime serving the Hunterville community has earned farmer and businessman Christopher Russell Grace the Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

The Queen's Birthday honours citation, released by the Prime Minister's Office, described Mr Grace as a patron of the Hunterville community and, combined with his 50-year involvement in the racing industry, well worthy of the QSM.

His racing interests include terms as president of the Marton Jockey Club, where he now has life membership.

He represented the Marton Jockey Club on the district committee and was involved in the decision to transfer racing from the Marton racecourse to Awapuni. He is a sponsor of racing in the region.

He was also involved with the Hunterville Water Scheme, which supplies water to the township, and the construction of an all-weather sports field at the local primary school. Mr Grace helped to lead Nga Tawa School for girls into integration and has supported other local organisations such as dog trials, the Rangitira Golf Club, and the local rugby club.

Mr Grace describes his day job as a livestock director for Wellington-based meat processing exporter Taylor Preston, but his passion has always been with racing and his local community.

"I was the last person to expect an honour like this, I promise you that," Mr Grace said modestly yesterday.

"Hunterville is a wonderful little community that needs to be supported and my wife Susanna and I have been more than happy to serve that community.

"In fact, Susanna has probably done more in the community than me - we make a good team, though."

His prolific racing interests extend to sponsorship, breeding and racing thoroughbreds and he was rewarded when arguably his best ever galloper Graphic won the Group One Wellington Cup in January this year.

He races the horse with his wife and it is a descendant of the first horse they raced 50 years ago. "I bred Graphic who is an eighth generation descendant of Hakawai, who until Graphic came along, was the best horse I ever raced."

Mr Grace said he intended to continue serving the Hunterville community and follow his passion for racing until he was no longer able.