ONE of Tasmania’n racing’s most liked and admired participants Graeme McCulloch was last night inducted into the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame at the annual awards night function at Wrest Point Hotel casino.
Graeme has made an outstanding contribution to Tasmanian racing as a trainer, breeder and owner, as well as serving on the committees of race clubs and breeder organisations.
At the time of his induction he has been the state’s leading trainer and leading owner and won most of the major races, as well as standing some of the most successful sires ever to be based in Tasmania.
Graeme first started training as a hobby and had immediate success, preparing two year old of the year Flagon Lady and the talented Showlita who was later to produce one of his best ever horses in Southern States.
In only his third season as a professional trainer he won the 1979-80 premiership and he went on to win four premierships in succession.
It was the deeds of the great Hannekes Gentleman that placed Graeme in the headlines.
Nicknamed Hank the Tank, the horse won the 1981 Devonport Cup breaking Brallos’ track record and he went on to win a string of races.
Graeme’s CV includes wins in most of Tasmania’s major races including the Hobart Cup, Devonport Cup, Newmarket Handicap, Tasmanian Oaks, Strutt Stakes and Gold Sovereign Stakes.
He founded Grenville Stud at Whitemore in the late 1970s.
His early stallions included Theus and Bold Mayo but perhaps his most notable investments have been perennial Tasmanian champion sire West Quest and the ill-fated Exit Five B.
McCulloch has served on the executive of Tasbreeders and he has represented the state on the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia committee.
Read about all the award winners CLICK HERE.