News

Who Will Be Racing’s Next Legend?

21st Jul 2009

Racing Victoria - Media Release - Tuesday, 21 July 2009

Thoroughbred racing fans will have the opportunity to decide who will be elevated to the status of Australian Racing Hall of Fame Legend in a unique new promotion announced today in conjunction with 1300 Australia.

Three-time Emirates Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva, is one of four finalists in contention to be crowned this year’s 1300 Australia Racing Hall of Fame Legend and join icons Phar Lap and Bart Cummings.

‘The Diva’ is the only living contender for this year’s Legend and the only finalist who is not an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. The finalists are:

Makybe Diva - in addition to her history making Melbourne Cup feats in 2003/04/05, the champion mare also won the 2005 Tatts Cox Plate, Australian Cup and The BMW. She was rated the best stayer in the world in 2005 and amassed an Australasian record $14,526,685 in prize money.

Carbine – trained by Dan O’Brien and later Walter Hickenbotham, Carbine captured the hearts and imaginations of the nation. He won 33 races in the late 1880s and early 1890s including the 1890 Melbourne Cup, two Sydney Cups, two VRC Champion Stakes, three VRC All-Aged Stakes and three AJC Plates. He later sired the winner of the 1906 English Derby.

Scobie Breasley - won four Caulfield Cups in succession between 1942 and 1945 and later returned from a trip to England to record a fifth win in the race in 1952. Breasley established a huge reputation during an outstanding career in the UK, winning two English Derbies and the 1958 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. He won the English Jockeys' Premiership four times and his career total of 3,251 winners included more than 2,000 in England.

Tommy (TJ) Smith - dominated Sydney racing for over three decades, winning the Sydney Trainers' Premiership every year between 1953 and 1985. In addition to training two of the all-time greats of the turf, Tulloch and Kingston Town, Smith won two Melbourne Cups, four Caulfield Cups, seven Cox Plates, six Golden Slippers, 35 Derbies and a total of 279 Group 1 races.

Chairman of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame Selection Panel, Bryan Martin said, “To reach Legend status in any sport is the ultimate compliment and in 2007 and 2008 we welcomed two giants of the turf in Phar Lap and Bart Cummings.

“This year, in a new approach to involve Australian racing fans, we introduce four racing icons for them to choose from.”

To vote, fans can call or text (text option only available to Optus and Telstra customers) 1300 MY LEGEND (1300 69 53 43 63) and select from the following four options:

Vote 1 for Carbine

Vote 2 for Makybe Diva

Vote 3 for Scobie Breasley

Vote 4 for Tommy (TJ) Smith

Voting lines are now open and close at 9pm EST on Monday 31 August.

“Everyone should get involved,” said Chief Executive Officer of 1300 Australia Gavin Scholes, “Every vote counts towards the winner, whether you SMS your choice to our phone word or dial it.”

The 1300 Australia Racing Hall of Fame Legend will be announced at the Australian Racehorse of the Year and Hall of Fame dinner presented by Sky Racing, Luxbet.com and 1300 Australia on Monday 31 August at Crown Palladium. To book tickets call 1300 139 407 or visit www.racingmuseum.com.au/events to book online.