BAX, Mayne James Kenneth, ran his last race on 4th November, 2024. Mayne the young colt was born and bred in Hikutaia, Thames Valley. As a young colt he galloped around the Hauraki Plains and Waikato showing plenty of promise with a zest for work and play.
Whilst traveling Australia, Mayne meet a classy young filly, Marie Corboy- from Mulwala, NSW, Australia. Mayne and Marie were married on the 8/2/1964. Returning to the greener pastures of NZ they formed the MayMar Stud in Horahora, under the shadows of Maungatautari Mountain.
Mayne toiled away on the land for 50 years, creating a beautiful herd of Friesian cows. Mayne had a great love of horse racing, cricket, tennis, golf, cards and the Warriors.
His biggest love of all was his family. Mayne and Marie had 2 colts; Phillip and Gavin, and 2 fillies; Debbie and Michelle.
Their offspring produced 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Mayne was very proud of the increasing size of his stable. He showed a great interest in their endeavours and achievements and backed them all as winners in life.
The last 8 years Mayne stabled up with a proven stayer from Taranaki, Fiona Maxwell. Together they made a formidable team, galloping around on many adventures and proving you can still have a lot of fun on the home straight.
Mayne hit the finish line well clear of the field with a twinkle in his eye knowing he had made every post a winner. A true champion to us all. Time for a spell, rest easy Mayne.
The family would like to thank Fiona and the team at Waikato hospital for guiding Mayne over the last few tricky hurdles. A private cremation has been held.
In lieu of flowers, Mayne would like you to back the Warriors in 2025.
Please send any correspondence to P & T Bax, 2083 Maungatautari Road, RD2 Cambridge, 3494.
Grinter's Funeral Home © 2025
13 Messages:
Dear Uncle Mayne,
Your love of life and family, positivity and great sense of humour are traits that have always inspired us. Our mum, your sister (Glenys) and you, shared a lovely bond growing up, one that neither time nor geographical distance could diminish. It was you who introduced her to a best school mate, our Dad (Ken Clark). Greg and I (such Townies), have treasured childhood memories of staying at Maymar and you sharing what hard-working and rewarding farm life was like. We learnt a lot, including your devotion and respect for the land, your stock and the weather. Aunty Marie, you and our cousins gave us the best of times during these stays. Playing 500 or Pool to determine who the night’s dish washers would be, watching you help a heifer deliver her calf in the early hours, and feeding out over your rolling hills, are wonderful and enduring memories. Thank you!
Your love of League and Horse Racing you shared with us in good banter/emails in our adult years. Visiting you and Fiona in Alpha Street gave us the chance to reminisce and reflect, and also to share our extended families’ achievements and plans. You retained your positive outlook, pride and gratitude until you took your last breath. We feel so lucky and proud to have had an uncle like you. Fly free with your beautiful Aussie girl.
Eternal love from Donna and Greg and families xx
Mayne, what a day to leave this world…Melbourne Cup day ! We will always remember you with love and affection. I’ve never known anyone be such a true, genuine honest gentleman as you. Thank you for being such a great neighbour, always willing to come and lend a hand , always smiling and cheerful .
You will be missed greatly, rest easy Mayne xx
Pete and I along with our family send lots of love to all Maynes family and to Fiona ❤️
Mayne and Marie were one of our precious neighbours in the early 2000s. We had an ongoing competition growing the best crop of tomatoes. Even after we left the Waikato and went to live in the Wairarapa we enjoyed occasion visits to each other’s “stables”. In latter years it was lovely to be introduced to Fiona. Thank you for caring for Mayne. We always had a lot of fun and laughter along with a tot or two. Sadly I lost my wonderful husband Ern, 15 months ago. So, Cheers Mayne for the times we shared.
Dear Pop, I will be forever grateful that you are my poppa. I have always thought you are the most kindest man, you never say a bad word about anyone or anything. You’ve always been so positive and kind-hearted. You were so loving to me and were loved by a lot of people.
I will miss our birthday celebrations shared together, the pop in visits to your house and all the family times we’ve had. I will miss you dearly and I will continue to pass on all the great stories about you. Give nana a big hug from me, you are finally back with your love. I love you. Love from Nicky xx
MAYNE WAS 5 YRS OLDER THAN I = BUT I REMEMBER HIM WHEN FIRST MEET AT HORA HORA FANTASTIC PERSON TO KNOW THERE WERE FIVE OF US THAT WOULD GO TO AUCKLAND CUP DAY = RACES, OF COURSE, HAVE A BALL – lose OUR MONEY BUT CARED LOTS OF FUN HAD BY ALL FROM MEMORY WE WOULD DROP INTO LEAMENTON PUB FOR A QWICK DRINK THEN HOME LAST TIME I SAW HIM WAS 21st SEPT = WAS PRETY GOOD I THOUGHT == BIG SHOCK TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING RIP MY FRIEND MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY & FIONA OF COURSE COLIN C BOYLES
To,Fiona and Maynes family, he truly was a loved and special man, could tell many a good story and very loyal. As,a friend of Fionas we know how special he was and how happy he,was in his latter years and medical,struggles, sending condolences to you all and those twinkly eyes will be looking,down,on you all. Rest your weary body, your struggles are over and you will be remembered with love.
What dad taught me:
The joy of a card game
The joy of talking to anyone and everyone
The joy of sport
The joy of getting a bargain
The joy of all things cows
The joy of treating all people equally
The joy of eating seafood
The joy of gambling, in moderation
The joy of summer rain
The joy of cricket’s reverse sweep shot
The joy of minimising waste
The joy of long term friendships
The joy of playing and watching tennis
The joy of honey on toast (no butter)
The joy of getting up before sunrise
The joy of growing your own veggies
The joy of chocolate
The joy of the company of a good woman
The joy of brining other people joy
The joy of playing golf with mates
The joy of having him in my life
Mayne, your final race has been run and Ken will be thrilled to see you and catch up on all that life had to offer at Hikutaia and in recent times, Cambridge. To have reached a grand age, having been able to enjoy a family with children and grandchildren – what a bonus.
While Ken won’t share stories of horse racing, he will leave that to you, but just being together again will be a thrill for you both.
Thinking of the family at this sad time but great just knowing that he is now at peace.
RIP Mayne.
Love Faye xxx
So sad to hear of Maynes passing.
We have such wonderful memories of Mayne, our Friday night farm advisor, always had Susie slightly tipsy with his measurements of gin and tonic but we had some great evenings.
A true gentleman who will be sadly missed.
Love and thoughts to you all
Terry, Susie, Connor, Aaron and Declan xxx
We were so lucky to spend a few holidays at the “little slice of heaven” where Mayne and Marie had lived for so many years. Such a wonderful human a crap driver but a great man. Once Mayne was driving us down to Cambridge for dinner 1 st time we had ever been in a car with the great man. Every point of interest he would forget about driving a car and explain a short history to us by turning around to us in the back seat, Marie snapped at him to keep his eyes on the road or we would end up in the river. To which he replied well that will be interesting I know a lot about the river. Eeek. We loved our time with him and Marie the later Fiona who was such a beautiful addition to our family and forever grateful for the life she gave him after Marie’s passing. So many stories I could be here for hours but stories for us to be cherished. You need a big heart to be a great racehorse, Mayne was the Pharlap of the land a of the long white cloud. Haere ra nui te aroha to all the Bax clan
Much love to all the family
What a wonderful man was Mayne always a joke a laugh and a sparkle in his eyes I’m sure than all of you will carry his spirit and great energy going forwards and he will
Always be with you
Fly high Mayne
What a winner 🙏❤️
Mayne was just a delightful “joker”
I always looked forward to seeing him over the top of a good 500 hand on a Tuesday afternoon.
Final hand has been dealt, no more struggles
You can now rest well.
I enjoyed getting to know you and your friendly smile was ACE.
Our love and thoughts are with Phil and the family and Fiona.
Cynthia and Bruce Gillespie
My Poppa by Laura Bax –aged 10 written 2010. Grey short frilly hair popping up his face like grass on a lawn. He has brown round eyes that shine when I see them. His skin is as rough as the sea on a windy day and his smile makes me happy. His voice sounds like a soft hum. He wears holey clothes that have been ripped to pieces and a makes me feel as special as a baby with chocolate. He is an awesome person. He is always sweet and cheerful. When he is happy you can tell because his smile is like a sparkling moon. Once Nana took me to the movies but Poppa took me to the Casino. He really enjoys watching the horse races. His hobby is playing golf. He is really great at playing cards. He is wonderful because sometimes I beat him at cards. But he doesn’t like it when his horse loses. He likes to relax in his green chair watching sky sports. Other people think he is very generous and very very kind because he is happy to talk to anyone. He makes me feel special when he plays cards with me. I appreciate him because he is my marvellous Poppa. Laura