Champion racehorse Lonhro has confirmed his standing as one of the nation’s all time greats with his induction tonight into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame at an exciting ceremony held at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
A favourite with racegoers throughout the country, the John Hawkes-trained Lonhro won 26 races ranging in distance from 1100 to 2000 metres – including 11 at Group 1 level. From an early age Lonhro showed signs of following in the footsteps of his famous father, Octagonal – a 2012 Hall of Fame inductee.
Lonhro was one of 10 racing icons honoured at the annual Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner, held for the first time in the nation’s capital.
Three other equine champions were immortalised in the Colin Hayes-trained gelding Dulcify, back-to-back Melbourne Cup winner and Mick Robins-trained Rain Lover and the great grey, Geoff Murphy-trained Surround.
Now in its 14th year, the Hall of Fame celebrates the colour and heritage of racing in Australia and acknowledges the heroes of the turf, both equine and human, who have achieved greatness throughout their careers.
Jockey Shane Dye, winner of more than 90 races at Group 1 level, was one of two jockeys inducted. Dye has claimed a suite of Australia’s most prestigious races including the 1989 Melbourne Cup on Tawriffic, four straight Golden Slipper wins
(1989-1992) on Courtza, Canny Lad, Tierce and Burst, and the 1995 Cox Plate on Octagonal.
The champion of two Sydney metropolitan jockeys’ premierships in the 1990s, Dye also rode in Hong Kong with great success.
The late Jim Munro, a two-time Melbourne Cup winner who was associated with many great horses of the Australian turf including Hall of Fame Legend Phar Lap, was the other jockey inducted.
Frank Dalton was one of two trainers inducted, with the Sydney horseman acknowledged for his achievements as one of Australia’s most eminent trainers in the 1940s and 1950s.
South Australian trainer Leon Macdonald was also recognised for his 40-year contribution to the industry – a career which has seen him train Group 1 winners Umrum, Gold Guru, Serious Speed, Rebel Raider and Southern Speed.
The ceremony saw two associates inducted – broadcaster Eric Welch, a leading Victorian race caller in the 1940s, and the NSW-based Tait Family, who have bred some of the finest horses in the post-war period including Tie The Knot and Baguette.
Popular Melbourne Cup winner and acclaimed equine ambassador, Subzero was recognised with the Chairman’s Award.
Chairman of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame Selection Panel, Bob Charley AO, said the event is an opportunity to recognise the people, the horses and the moments that make racing the unique sport it is.
“Induction into The Hall of Fame is racing’s ultimate achievement. We come together in the nation’s capital to honour these champions and formally recognise the equine heroes and dedicated people who have left an indelible mark on the Australian turf,” Mr Charley said.
This year’s 10 inductees join the existing 142 Hall of Fame members which include equine champions Phar Lap, Makybe Diva and Black Caviar and human heroes Arthur ‘Scobie’ Breasley, Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings, Colin Hayes, Jim Houlahan, Gai Waterhouse and the Inglis family.
The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees are:
Horses
Dulcify, Lonhro, Rain Lover, Surround
Jockeys
Shane Dye, Jim Munro
Trainers
Frank Dalton, Leon Macdonald
Associates
Eric Welsh, the Tait family
Chairman’s Award
Subzero