Passing of Nevele R co-founder Bob McArdle

We are saddened at Nevele R to hear of the passing of the Stud's co-founder Bob McArdle.

Along with Wayne Francis, Bob helped shape the modern standardbred breeding industry in Australasia, with the pair establishing Nevele R Stud together in the late 1970's.

With a focus from the outset on importing quality North American stallions with proven racetrack performance and desirable bloodlines, and ensuring that they were at the forefront of industry innovations such as the opening up stallions books, shipping fresh semen across the Tasman, the introduction of shuttle stallions and the use of frozen semen, the pair greatly improved Australasia's breeding and racing stock and helped bring about the industry as it is today.

The stud took its' name from the partner's foundation sire Nevele Romeo, but other notable stallions to have been imported or shuttled down-under by the pair included Timely Knight, Gerry Mir, Meadow Paige, El Patron, Nat Lobell, Boyden Hanover, Sholty Imp, Midshipman, Silk Legacy, Bo Scots Blue Chip, Nero's B B, Talk About Class, Holmes Hanover, Andrel, OK Bye, Soky's Atom, Live Or Die, Badlands Hanover, Artiscape, Falcon Seelster and McArdle .

Both McArdle and Francis went on to establish their own separate highly successful breeding entities - Bob the famed Bromac Lodge and Wayne the renowned racing and breeding establishment Spreydon Lodge.

While Bob moved on from Nevele R Stud in the late 2000's his passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry and pedigree expertise remained second to none.

Our thoughts are with his wife Denese and children Lisa and Baden.