Darin Delivers the Goods for Kilkelly

Invercargill businessman and passionate hobby breeder Tom Kilkelly has built a commendable record with horses he’s either bred or owned that have gone on to make a name for themselves across the Tasman.

His alumni include Vicbred Super Series champion Bella Starr, dual country cups winner Major Meister (Bendigo and Cranbourne), and three-time Melton victor Lite Jagermeister—just to name a few.

Now joining that list is the tough Terror To Love gelding Darin, bred and raised by Kilkelly, who has been turning heads in Queensland.

Having started his career as a three-year-old in New Zealand, Darin has racked up seven wins in the Sunshine State over the past 18 months—including five at Albion Park—and has climbed back to a NR66 rating. Trained by Daren Garrard, the five-year-old has captured the imagination of Brisbane harness fans during the winter carnival, highlighted by a career-best 1:51.8 front-running performance over the mile.

Kilkelly, owner of Regent Car Court—a major sponsor of the Invercargill Harness Racing Club—has been pleasantly surprised by Darin’s rise in Australia.

“He’s gone from a battler to not a bad horse,” Kilkelly said.

Darin is the first foal out of Grace Burns (1:55.8, $37,345), a five-race-winning Grinfromeartoear mare with sentimental significance.

“She was named after my wife Julie’s aunty, and Darin is her son,” Kilkelly explained.

The mare’s second foal, Major Burns (by Art Major), broke maiden ranks at Winton on July 17 and is set to line up in a heat of the Diamond Creek/SBSR Southern Surge Series at Invercargill this Sunday.

Kilkelly continues to cultivate the family with several promising types in the pipeline:

“We’ve got a three-year-old out of her named Always Kilarney, who’s going back into work next week; a yearling colt called Doctor Luke, who’s had a couple of preparations and is now spelling; and a weanling colt by Ultimate Machete,” he said.
“Grace Burns also has a positive test to Lord Forbes.”

While his pacing-bred stock are doing him proud, Kilkelly is particularly excited about his trotting prospects, notably the progeny of his broodmare The Fiery Filly.

“The half-brothers Fiery Bandito, Garonne, and Madrik were all tipped out with various issues, but they came back into work about a month ago,” Kilkelly said. “We’re hopeful at least one of them will be good enough to line up in the Dominion Handicap this year.”

A fourth sibling, Smokin Bandar, now retired, won 13 races and famously ran second in the 2023 Dominion behind Oscar Bonavena.

“We’ve got about seven or eight in work at the moment. Our trainer Kirstin Green does a fantastic job for us,” Kilkelly added.