He was an attractive chestnut stallion, foaled in 1914, by Ksar’s half-brother, Kenilworth, his dam Calluna was by Manton. Kenilworth won the Prix Greffulhe, Prix Rainbow and the marathon four mile race, Prix Gladiateur before being exported to Australia. In Australia Kenilworth was the sire of 15 stakes winners that won 36 stakes races, including Wolaroi, which had 12 stakes wins. Kennaquhair was a brother to Kenaluna, dam of Red Thespian. They were closely related to Blue Spec and Eric, won the AJCMetropolitan Handicap etc.
Kennaquhair carried nine stone in the Melbourne Cup to finish second to Night March carrying six stone nine pounds. During the running Kennaquhair clipped the heels of another runner, Desert Gold, which interrupted his run. The race set a new Cup record time of 3 minutes 25¾ seconds and the winner won by the short margin of half a length. He then finished second to Poitrel in the AJC Autumn Stakes, 12 furlongs; AJC Cumberland Stakes, 16 furlongs and AJC Plate 24 furlongs. He finished third to Gloaming in the Sydney City Tatt’s Chelmsford Stakes over 9 furlongs. He was then placed third to Poitrel in the AJC Spring Stakes, of 12 furlongs.
At five years: 1919–1920
Principal race wins:
AJC Sydney Cup 16 furlongs carrying 9 st 5 lb in the Australasian record time of 3 minutes 22¾ seconds.
Kennaquhair finished second to Poitrel in the AJC Randwick Plate at WFA, 2 miles and second yet again to Poitrel in the AJC Plate at Weight for Age, over three miles. He also finished third, both times to Poitrel, in the AJC Autumn Stakes, 12F and AJC Cumberland Stakes at WFA over two miles. Kennaquhair was allotted the top weight of 9 st 5 lb in the 1919 Melbourne Cup, but was unplaced.
At six years: 1920-1921
Principal race win:
Dead-heated with Poitrel for a win in the AJC Spring Stakes, 12 furlongs
Kennaquhair finished second to Poitrel in the AJC Randwick Plate. When he was six years old Kennaquhair had his portrait painted by the noted equine artist, Martin Stainforth. In 1921 Kennaquhair starred as the heroine's horse, Alert in the silent, black and white film, Silks and Saddles. This film was released overseas as Queen of the Turf.
Stud record
He retired to the Mungie Bundie Stud, near Moree, New South Wales in 1922. He remained there until the stud was dispersed and he then stood at Walcha. Kennaquhair did sire some country winners, but no stakes winners or any broodmares of note. He died at Bective Station, Tamworth, New South Wales in 1934.
