Kerry Ebert is being remembered as a giant of harness racing at Redcliffe and an advocate for the grassroots of the sport following his sad passing last week.
Ebert, a respected breeder, owner, trainer, driver and administrator, was 76 years of age.
He died on Thursday of last week.
Ebert was bestowed with Life Membership at the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for his service as the long-time president as well as his efforts to instigate the annual yearling sales.
He was also heavily involved in the Show racing circuit across his lifetime, first driving at the Gympie Show as a young man before graduating to compete at the Ekka regularly.
Ebert passed on his love of harness racing to his two children Darren and Louise.
“He had horses as a boy; he rode and just had horses. He loved it,” Ebert’s daughter Louise said.
“Before he was on the committee at Redcliffe, he had a love for, and so did all his mates, of trotting.
“They had a love for the show racing, they used to race at all the different shows around South East Queensland.
“He had a love for racing and specifically for show racing - that was a big part of him.
"He was involved with the Hart family in his early days in harness racing and that is still the case with Doolittle Doozzie racing now."
Over the last decade, Ebert has stepped back from training and driving but has stayed involved in the code as an owner.
Louise recalls the early days of her father training and driving at the old tracks such as Ipswich and Rocklea, as well as all the show circuits across the state.
Racing Queensland’s Executive General Manager of Racing David Brick joined many within the industry mourning the loss of Ebert.
“Kerry was involved in so many facets of the industry as a trainer, driver, breeder and administrator over the decades,” Brick said.
“He was especially influential at the Redcliffe club where he was honoured as a life member for his service to the club and wider industry.
“Kerry was also heavily involved in show racing and was prominent at the Ekka over the years.
“The wider Queensland racing industry is mourning the loss of Kerry Ebert and we send our condolences to his family.”
The Redcliffe club will honour Ebert’s memory by running the Vale Kerry Ebert Pace on Wednesday evening over 1780 metres.
Current Redcliffe President Mark McNee described Ebert as an ‘institution’ at the track after holding the title of president for around a decade.
The passionate harness man helped get the club through some tough financial times while also introducing the now annual yearling sales.
Through Ebert’s close friendship with the late Chris Garrard, he helped bring Garrard's Horse and Hound on board as the major sponsor of the sales.
The late Chris Garrard is also a life member at Redcliffe.
“I first met Kerry at the Redcliffe show over 45 years ago, he had a great business acumen and that was evident with his motel business,” McNee said.
“Kerry was a grassroots man and was there for the battler.
“He was always available to me to lean on in my role as President of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club.
“I personally had a lot of dealings with Kerry through the sale as I broke in a number of nice horses that Kerry raced.
“Kerry will be sadly missed by everyone in the industry.”
Many of Ebert’s horses raced with the ‘Dolittle’ moniker and he enjoyed great success with pacers such as Doolittle Doozzie, Alpine Affair, Moonlight Butcher and Chump Chomp, among several others.
The 2026 Redcliffe Yearling Sale will be held at Redcliffe this Sunday from noon.
This year’s edition of the sales will be tinged with sadness following Ebert’s recent passing as he helped drive the concept in the early days.
Former Redcliffe president Bernie Ring echoed McNee's thoughts.
“Kerry was a great man for the grassroots harness participants,” Ring said.
“His time as president was a great period for the Redcliffe club.
“Kerry took the Redcliffe club from a battling club to an exciting place to be. He leaves a great legacy in the industry.”
Ebert’s funeral will be held at Traditional Funerals in Burpengary on Wednesday, April 1 at 2.30pm.
Racing Queensland extends its condolences to the Ebert family.
