Western Australia’s breeding industry has lost one of its leading lights with the death of Christine Daws.  A long-time committee member of Thoroughbred Breeders WA, Daws passed away after a courageous battle with illness on Saturday.

Daws and her husband Graham stood champion sire Bletchley Park at Dawson Stud before transferring the horse to Lynward Park 2001.  The Caerleon stallion had initially been based at their stud in Perth’s southern suburbs before it eventually made way for a housing estate.

The popular couple bred hundreds of winners over 30 years at Dawson Stud and, apart from Bletchley Park’s progeny, one of the best was Catbird stayer Cats Fun who won the G1 WA Derby in 2006 and the G2 Perth Cup in 2008.

Graham and Chris bought Evergreen Lodge in the State’s south-west last year.  Along with their children Danielle and Nick, they began redeveloping the property back to its former glory.

They also raced last start Belmont winner Kalahaar with fellow Perth Racing committeeman Lex Piper and his wife Shirley.