Gordon McCraw, a long-time farrier on the Taieri, died last Saturday at the age of 79.
He had been in ill-health.
McCraw was shoeing "the odd pony and hack" until 12 months ago.
McCraw was originally a shearer.
He switched to shoeing horses, mainly thoroughbreds and spent time with Bobby Wilson in Christchurch to gain experience.
"We used to plate the horses on a Friday and put the shoes back on a Monday and it had to be done quick," McCraw recalled.
Those were the days when horses were ridden to the Wingatui track and required a shoe to take the wear on the road. The racing plate is much lighter.
The majority of horses are trucked to Wingatui for training these days.
McCraw became associated with the stable of leading trainer Hector Anderton, who also had a good knowledge of shoeing.
McCraw shod the Anderton-trained Princess Mellay, winner of the New Zealand Cup in 1970 and 1971.
Anderton nicknamed McCraw "Quick Draw", he was so nimble in his work. He became commonly known by the nickname.
McCraw was later farrier for the stable of Anderton's son, Brian.
"There was never a horse he couldn't shoe," Brian recalled.
McCraw was also associated with the champion mare Show Gate, owned and trained at Mosgiel Park by Gordon Thomson.
McCraw broke in Show Gate and did her shoeing.
She was the star of the 1974 New Zealand Cup meeting when she won the Stewards' Handicap (1200m), Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) and Churchill Stakes (1600m) during the week.
