Vale Colin McKenna | RACING.COM

Colin McKenna, the self-made meatpacking billionaire who built a racing empire from Victoria’s western districts, died on Sunday after a brief battle with illness.

McKenna’s meatpacking company, The Midfield Group, which he founded, announced his death mid-Sunday morning.

“It is with heavy hearts that the McKenna family would like to advise our founder, fearless leader and mentor to many who passed away this morning with his family by his side after a short illness.”

His death comes as a tragic blow to the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, in which he invested heavily, and he formed lifelong friendships with many participants.

McKenna’s iconic green and blue horizontal stripes have been carried to victory in feature races across the country over the past decade, including by Caulfield Cup and VRC Oaks heroine Jameka and Toorak Handicap winner Attrition.

He was also part of the group that won Group 1 races in both hemispheres with the globetrotting sprinter Merchant Navy.

But it was in Warrnambool, twenty kilometers from his hometown of Woolsthorpe, where McKenna most craved success.

Jump racing was one of his passions and he co-owned double Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Regina Coeli with trainer Ciaron Maher and his family.

Maher also trained McKenna’s Galleywood Hurdle hero Big Blue and won the Jericho Cup with the McKenna family homebred Wil John.

An annual fundraising event at McKenna’s Woosthorpe pub on the eve of the Racing Carnival in May has raised almost $400,000 for various charities over the past three years.

In 2021, McKenna was appointed to the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the community.