ONE of the most hotly-contested races in recent years is set to converge on Swan Hill as part of this year’s show line-up.
Entertaining crowds throughout Australia for more than two decades, Noah’s Thoroughbred Racing Pigs are always a crowd favourite.
Watch these little piggies entertain the crowd with their quirky antics as they make their way to the finish line, in a bid to bring home the bacon.
Former Nandaly resident Kevin Kiley inherited the pigs after hanging up his shearers and moving to Queensland.
“I was sick of shearing sheep,” Mr Kiley said.
He took over a business called Noah’s Farm, originally an animal farm in the Lockyer Valley.
His first pig racing event dates back to Melbourne Cup Day 2000.
“I was rough around the edges,” Mr Kiley admitted.
Since then, he has perfected his race calling and found his calling in life.
He’s travelled to Cairns, Hobart and everywhere in between with his pigs, creating memories, bringing people together and raising much-needed funds for charities and organisations.
“We’ve raised $10 million for charity since I started,” Mr Kiley said, noting recipients included the Royal Flying Doctor Service and The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.
“The highlight has definitely been having the ability to raise money for different charities,” he said.
Growing up on a farming property in the Mallee, Mr Kiley was the youngest of nine boys.
He recalls having to get up early to milk his four cows before school.
“We had some pigs back then and they would go nuts at the smell of the milk,” he said.
“But never did I think I would make a business out of pigs.”
With his witty sense of humour and ability to entertain large crowds, his races are one of a kind.
“We usually get the kids to name the pigs and in the past we’ve had Scott Morrisham, Pauline Hamson and Bob Pork,” Mr Kiley said.
“For some reason, politicians seem to get a good run.”
These days, Mr Kiley is also the publican at Sandy Creek Pub in the Darling Downs.
The pigs and the pub keep him busy and he can have up to five racing crews on the road at any one time.
“It’s not something I set out to do, but it has evolved with time,” Mr Kiley said.
