Six-time Group 1 winner Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince {USA}) will be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame on Friday, along with star jockeys Hugh Bowman and Brent Thomson.
Vo Rogue, one of the most revered horses in Queensland history, was famous for his bold front running style, winning two G1 Australian Cups as part of an 83-start career that featured 26 wins.
He will be joined in the 2019 Hall Of Fame class by dual G1 Cox Plate winner So You Think (High Chaparral {Ire}), globetrotting Kiwi star Balmerino (NZ) (Trictrac {Fr}) and 1933 Melbourne Cup, VRC Derby and AJC Derby winner Hall Mark (Heroic).
Six-time G1 winner Vo Rogue
Bowman, whose association with the recently retired superstar mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) was legendary, joins the Hall Of Fame while still an active rider, but he is currently taking a break after a busy autumn.
“It’s an absolute privilege and more than a bit humbling,” Bowman said.
“To be honest, off the back of the emotional rollercoaster with Winx, who has played such a significant part of my time as a professional jockey, it’s hard to put into words."
“It’s an absolute privilege and more than a bit humbling." - Hugh Bowman
“Along with Winx, I’ve enjoyed a significant amount of international success and that doesn’t come without sacrifices by myself and my family.”
Bowman has ridden 92 Group 1 winners and was awarded the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in 2017.
Hugh Bowman after winning his 4th Cox Plate aboard Winx
Thomson forged his reputation in the late 1970s and like Bowman, has won four Cox Plates, his most famous aboard Dulcify (NZ) (Decies {GB}) in 1979. He also rode over 3000 winners across 22 countries in a decorated career.
Leading trainers Des McCormick and John Meagher will also be admitted. McCormick was Australia’s leading trainers of steeplechasers and hurdlers between the 1930s and ‘60s; while Meagher has been successful in Australian and overseas, winning 26 Group 1 races including the 1985 Melbourne Cup with What A Nuisance (NZ) (St Puckle {GB}).
Former VRC Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards, Pat Lalor, and Queensland-based administrators the Williams brothers, Sir Edward and Sir Sydney, round out the class of 2019 ahead of Friday night’s ceremony in Brisbane.
