Paleface Adios

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Paleface Adios (horse) (1969 - 1989) was one of the immortals of Australian harness racing, competing as a pacer throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

Paleface Adios was foaled on 1 November, 1969, at Temora, NSW, by Deep Adios out of Raygen. He was trained and driven throughout his career by Colin Pike, and was owned by Colin's wife, Shirley Pike.

He was a standardbred racehorse of a beautiful chestnut colour with a white blaze and feet, and a golden mane. He was nicknamed The Temora Tornado, in honour of the town where he was bred and trained.

Paleface Adios is most well known for the incredible feat of winning 108 races over his career of 240 starts. He however made an inauspicious debut at Sydney's Harold Park as a 2 year old when he fell, as a short priced favourite.

Paleface Adios became a household name in Australia, and especially in Melbourne, during the 1970s at a time when harness racing was featured weekly on Saturday night TV as part of the popular live variety show The Penthouse Club. As long after as the early 1990s Paleface Adios was included in a satirical song honouring Australian sporting legends presented by Graham and The Colonel on ABC TV's The Late Show.

Paleface Adios died at Temora, NSW, on 11 December, 1989. He is commemorated by a life-sized monument in Hoskins Street, the main street of Temora.