Temora Tornado - Paleface Adios

Shirley and Colin Pike’s Temora home is adorned with faded photographs of Paleface Adios in his heyday, with driver and trainer Colin beaming proudly by his side.

Known as the ‘Temora Tornado’, Paleface was the Pharlap of Australian harness-racing, winning 108 races, placing a further 69 times from 240 starts in an extraordinary career. Owner Shirley Pike fondly recalls the friendship between Paleface and Colin. “Col had a wonderful bond with the horse,” she says. “It was like he was another son - Col would walk out and the horse would just come to him.” Colin and Shirley lived at Paleface Lodge horse stud for 47 years, raising five children and travelling continuously with Paleface as he won hearts - and races - across the country. “We took him everywhere from Western Australia to New Zealand,” Shirley says. “Some of our best memories are of taking him to Albion Park in Queensland. He was idolised there.” Paleface Adios raced from 1972 right through until 1981, a lengthy career for a harness racehorse. “It’s a long time,” Shirley says. “Even when he stopped racing he didn’t want to just stand and do nothing, so he used to tear around his field. Col had to bring him back into racing because he was so keen!” When Paleface passed away on 11 December 1989 he was buried at Paleface Lodge, where his grave can still be found. The legendary horse is commemorated by a life-sized monument in the main street of Temora. Colin and Shirley are constantly amazed by the love people continue to display for their beloved Paleface. “We can’t believe the way it is, at our age and the years that have gone by,” Shirley says. “Our grandchildren often tell us there’s something been on television or Facebook about him. He was just a star.”

Visit the life-size statue of Paleface Adios on the corner of Hoskins & Loftus Streets

“Col had a wonderful bond with the horse, It was like he was another son - Col would walk out and the horse would just come to him.”