Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

Inductees announced in Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall of Fame

It was the night of nights for Newcastle and the Hunter’s racing fraternity as eight nominees were inducted into the inaugural Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall of Fame on Wednesday 15th March at the newly named Newcastle Racecourse.

Over 150 people attended the Gala Dinner to celebrate with the 59 nominees across the four categories of associate, trainer, jockey and racehorse. Hall of Fame Chairman, Brian Judd said he was thrilled with the inaugural event that shone the light on the regions rich racing history and heritage.

“The awards have been launched to recognise the extraordinary contribution of these associates, trainers, jockeys and racehorses to the Newcastle and Hunter region or the wider Australian thoroughbred industry,” Mr. Judd said.

“Our eight inductees are all true champions and will have a permanent plaque dedicated to them in the soon to be designed ‘Hall of Fame Garden’ at Newcastle Racecourse,” he added.

Not only is this concept the brainchild of industry stalwart Gary Harley, but he remains a driving force in bringing it to life, and joined other selection panel members in presenting the awards to inductees.

The first inductees for the evening were Associates – Alf Ellison who imported the prolific stallion Star Kingdom to Australian in 1950, followed by Billy Hill who was a legendary race-caller and famously called every Newcastle Cup from 1937 to 1980.

History-making Paul Perry was present and proud to be announced as one of the two Trainers inducted, whilst accepting awards for both Trainer and Racehorse categories from Lees Racing were Vicki Lees, on behalf of her late and legendary husband

Max and their son, Kris on behalf of the connections of the immortal 2yo Luskin Star.

Famous hoops Robert Thompson and Wayne Harris were both present for their inclusion as the two jockeys in this stellar line-up and were very popular choices on the evening, whilst ‘Coalfields Champion’ horse Rogilla rounded out the inaugural eight on the strength of his feats in the 1930’s.

An official souvenir program has been produced and is available from Newcastle Racecourse or by emailing info@newcastlehunterhof.com.au.

2021 NEWCASTLE & HUNTER RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

ASSOCIATE
BOB DAWBARN

  • 44 years of continuous service to Thoroughbred Racing in the Hunter Region as an Administrator.
  • 15 years as a Chief Steward.
  • 11 years as Chief Executive of the Newcastle Jockey Club.
  • 18 years as Secretary of the Newcastle Racing Registration Board/Hunter and North West Racing Association.
 GARY HARLEY

  • Known as the voice of the Hunter.
  • More than 50 years as a broadcaster, writer, form analyst and commentator.
  • Synonymous with Sky broadcast of race meetings in the Region.
  • Lengthy association with the Newcastle Jockey Club.

TRAINER
PETER SNOWDEN

Trainer – Broadmeadow

  • Head Trainer for Crown Lodge and subsequently Darley from 2007 to 2014.
  • During that period the stable produced twenty nine Group I winners and won 214 Stakes Races.
  • Won the 2009-10 Sydney Trainers Premiership.
  • In 2011 won all five Group 1 races for two-year-olds.
  • In partnership with son Paul won the first two editions of the Everest.
 PAT FARREL

Trainer – Broadmeadow

  • Won eight successive Newcastle Trainers’ Premierships.
  • Success with over 2500 life-time winners.
  •  Master of four apprentices who won Newcastle premierships.
  • Two of which, Wayne Harris and Darryl McLellan, remain the only apprentices to also win the Sydney apprentices title, not based in Sydney.

JOCKEY
RAE JOHNSTONE

Jockey – Broadmeadow

  • Born in Newcastle in 1905 and indentured at 14 to Newcastle trainer Jack Phoenix.
  • Rode over 100 winners as an apprentice.
  • Ventured overseas and won three English Derbies between 1948 and 1956 and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – France’s greatest race – in 1945 and 1954.
  • Won a further 25 Classic races in England, Ireland and France.
  • Rode with success in 11 countries before retiring from riding in 1957.
 ALAN SCORSE

Jockey – Broadmeadow

  • Finished his career with 1229 winners.
  • Won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on Manawapoi and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes on Spanish Mix.
  • Partnered Razor Sharp in its first six wins, culminating with wins in the Pacesetter Stakes and Challenge Stakes.
  • Won twelve races on outstanding mare Swiftly Ann including the Newcastle Newmarket, a race he also won on Manawapoi.

RACEHORSE
ROMANTIC DREAM

  • Distinction of winning major races in each of the mainland States.
  • The Sires Produce Stakes and the Marlboro Stakes as a two-year-old.
  • The Goodwood Handicap, Winterbottom Stakes, Lee-Steer Stakes and the VRC Schweppes Handicap.
  • As a four-year-old he defeated Luskin Star at weight-for-age in the Canterbury Stakes.
  • Two-time winner of the Cameron Handicap at Broadmeadow.
 FASTNET ROCK

  • Nineteen starts for fifteen placings in Australia, with all but two of the starts being in Group or Listed company.
  • Included wins in the Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate.
  • Travelled to Europe in 2003 and won the Golden Jubilee Stakes and Kings Stand Stakes at Ascot and ran second in the July Stakes at Newmarket.
  • At stud has sired forty one Group 1 winners to date.
  • Named Australia’s Champion Sprinter in 2004-5 and twice named Australia’s Champion Sire.

 

Inductees announced in Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall of Fame

It was the night of nights for Newcastle and the Hunter’s racing fraternity as eight nominees were inducted into the inaugural Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall of Fame on Wednesday 15th March at the newly named Newcastle Racecourse.

Over 150 people attended the Gala Dinner to celebrate with the 59 nominees across the four categories of associate, trainer, jockey and racehorse. Hall of Fame Chairman, Brian Judd said he was thrilled with the inaugural event that shone the light on the regions rich racing history and heritage.

“The awards have been launched to recognise the extraordinary contribution of these associates, trainers, jockeys and racehorses to the Newcastle and Hunter region or the wider Australian thoroughbred industry,” Mr. Judd said.

“Our eight inductees are all true champions and will have a permanent plaque dedicated to them in the soon to be designed ‘Hall of Fame Garden’ at Newcastle Racecourse,” he added.

Not only is this concept the brainchild of industry stalwart Gary Harley, but he remains a driving force in bringing it to life, and joined other selection panel members in presenting the awards to inductees.

The first inductees for the evening were Associates – Alf Ellison who imported the prolific stallion Star Kingdom to Australian in 1950, followed by Billy Hill who was a legendary race-caller and famously called every Newcastle Cup from 1937 to 1980.

History-making Paul Perry was present and proud to be announced as one of the two Trainers inducted, whilst accepting awards for both Trainer and Racehorse categories from Lees Racing were Vicki Lees, on behalf of her late and legendary husband

Max and their son, Kris on behalf of the connections of the immortal 2yo Luskin Star.

Famous hoops Robert Thompson and Wayne Harris were both present for their inclusion as the two jockeys in this stellar line-up and were very popular choices on the evening, whilst ‘Coalfields Champion’ horse Rogilla rounded out the inaugural eight on the strength of his feats in the 1930’s.

An official souvenir program has been produced and is available from Newcastle Racecourse or by emailing info@newcastlehunterhof.com.au.

2019 NEWCASTLE & HUNTER RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

ASSOCIATE
DR. BILL HOWEY

Veterinarian

Veterinarian, Racing Administrator, Educator,
Author and Community Leader.

 THOMPSON FAMILY

Thoroughbred Breeders – Widden Stud

One of the great thoroughbred nurseries.

TRAINER
KRIS LEES

Trainer – Broadmeadow

15 Group 1 winners: County Tyrone (2), Vitesse
Dane, Samantha Miss (3), Lucia Valentina (3),
Le Romain (3), Clearly Innocent, Sense Of
Occasion & In Her Time

 ROY HINTON

Trainer – Broadmeadow

Won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with Manawapoi; The Newcastle Newmarket with Manawapoi and Swiftly Ann; The Cameron Handicap with Manawapoi.

Winner of eight Newcastle Trainers Premierships.

Winner of more than 1000 races as a trainer and almost 600 as a jockey.

JOCKEY
BILL WADE

Jockey – Broadmeadow

Won the 1954 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Nagpuni.

Won three Grafton Ramornie Handicaps – The Peer, My Empire and Red Ming.

Won Grafton Cup on Sky Sailor.

13 Newcastle Jockey Premierships Rode 1723 winners.

 JOHN WADE

Jockey – Broadmeadow

Five Group 1 victories.

66 Provinicial and Country Cup wins.

1144 winners from 4463 rides.

Jockey of Luskin Star.

RACEHORSE
CHOISIR

Chestnut Stallion, foaled 1999

By Danehill Dancer (IRE) out of Great Selection (Lunchtime)

Career record: 23 starts, 7 wins, 5 seconds and 6 thirds.

Major wins: Golden Jubilee (G1) – Royal Ascot
(1200m), Lightning Handicap (G1) – Flemington
(1000m), King Stand Stakes (G2) – Royal Ascot
(1000m), Emirates Classic (G2) – Flemington
(1200m) and Skyline Stakes (G3) – Canterbury
(1200m).

 BEAUFORD

Brown Gelding, foaled 1916

By Beau Soult (NZ) out of Blueford.

Trained by Sid Killick at Broadmeadow.

Major wins: Epsom Handicap, Tramway Handicap, Hill Stakes, Craven Plate, All Aged Stakes, Chelmsford Stakes and Cameron
Handicap.

 

2017 NEWCASTLE & HUNTER RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

ASSOCIATE
A.O. (‘Alf’) ELLISON

Racehorse breeder

Imported Star Kingdom and stood the great stallion at his Baramul Stud.

 ATHOL ALBERT “BILLY” HILL

Legendary race-caller

Called every Newcastle Cup from 1937 to 1980

TRAINER
MAX LEES

Trainer – Broadmeadow

20 Group 1 wins including: Two-Year-Old Triple Crown – Golden Slipper Stakes, Sires Produce Stakes, Champagne Stakes - with Luskin Star (1977); five Coolmore Classics with Satin Sand (1986), Quicksilver Cindy (1991), Flitter (1995), Chlorophyll (1996), Shindig (1998); George Main Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes (1992) with Coronation Day.

Twice Runner-Up Sydney Trainers Premiership: 1992-93, 1993-94

 PAUL PERRY

Trainer – Broadmeadow

11 Group 1 wins including: 1994 Epsom Handicap, Navy Seal; Oakleigh Plate, Dantelah (1999), Fastnet Rock 2005); 1998 Emirates Stakes, Bezeal Bay; 2003 Golden Jubilee Stakes, Choisir; 2005 Golden Slipper Stakes, Stratum; 2006 The Galaxy, Proprietor.

First Australian trainer to win a Group 1 in Britain.

Trainer of 3113 winners (and counting)

JOCKEY
WAYNE HARRIS

Jockey – Muswellbrook

31 Group 1 wins both in Australia and overseas including: 1979 Golden Slipper Stakes, Century Miss; Champagne Stakes, True Version (1985), Select Prince (1989); 1990 Blue Diamond Stakes, Mahaasin; 1994 Caulfield Guineas, St Covet; 1994 Melbourne Cup, Jeune; 1995 VRC Newmarket, All Our Mob.

First apprentice to win the Golden Slipper.

558 winners as an apprentice – a record which still stands.

 ROBERT THOMPSON

Jockey – Cessnock

7 Group 1 wins: Romantic Dream, 1976 QTC Sires Produce Stakes and QTC Marlborough Stakes; Just A Steal, 1978 AJC Spring Champion Stakes; I Like Diamonds, 1982 Champagne Stakes; Sharscay, 1995 Canterbury Guineas; Heavenly Glow, 2008 Arrowfield Stud Stakes and Australian Oaks.

Winner of 4265 races (and counting) – the most by any jockey in Australia.

Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee

Awarded AM in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for ‘significant service to the thoroughbred racing industry as an ambassador, a champion rider, and mentor to apprentice jockeys’.

RACEHORSE
ROGILLA

Chestnut gelding foaled 1927

By Roger de Busli out of Speargila (Brakespear)

Career record: 73 starts: 26 wins (including 5 dead heats), 12 seconds, 11 thirds.

Major wins: 1932 Caulfield Cup (12 furlongs), 1933 Sydney Cup (16f), 1933 and 1934 AJC Chelmsford Stakes (9f), 1933 W S Cox Plate (9.5f), 1933 Melbourne Stakes (10f – later the Mackinnon Stakes), 1935 AJC Chipping Norton Plate (10f).

 LUSKIN STAR

Chestnut colt, foaled 1974

By Kaoru Star from Promising (Idomeneo)

Career record: 17 starts, 13 wins, 3 seconds.

Group 1 wins: Golden Slipper 1200m, Sires’ Produce 1400m, Champagne Stakes, QTC Sires Produce Stakes 1400m, QTC Marlboro Stakes 1600m, Caulfield Guineas 1600m, The Galaxy 1100m.

 

For further details, or to arrange an interview contact Michael Buckley, 0478 237 722 or michaelb@njc.com.au.