Mr Jack Morris

Press, 21 July 1986, Page 8

Mr Jack Morris

PA Dunedin One of Otago’s best known racing identities, Mr J. J. (Jack) Morris died on Saturday morning after a long illness. He was 77. A man of many talents, he was a top athlete, a showing and hunting competitor and administrator, and an owner, breeder, trainer and administrator in racing. He was one of New Zealand’s best known racing writers, serving as racing editor of the “Otago Daily Times” for 23 years until his retirement, and then continuing his role as a contributor to numerous newspapers and racing publications. Jack Morris competed against the best milers and cross-country athletes in Australia and New Zealand, including Jack Lovelock, Randolph Rose, Bill Savidan and W. E. Barwick.

He later turned to the showring and to hunting and spent more than 50 years as an administrator for the Otago Hunt, being elected a life member. He raced numerous horses including Slipshod, Gay Music, Cord, Gay Harmony, Gay Rosa, Marie Pierce, Jack Pierce and Gordon, and at the time of his death was developing three young horses he bred by Native Turn, Noble Bijou and Tawfiq. His latest major success was the B. S. Irwin Steeplechase last year with Gordon.

Mr Morris regularly attended the Melbourne racing carnival, and he tourned extensively to Asia, Europe and the United States to attend international racing .conferences. • f