On Friday next, the Australian Racing Hall of Fame ceremony will occur at the Adelaide Convention Centre, an evening that will recognise and induct some important characters into the Hall of Fame.
They include Bob Charley and John Messara in the associates category, trainers Les Bridge and the late Guy Walter, and jockeys the late Darby McCarthy and Bill McLachlan. Of the horses, there is Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}), Beau Vite (NZ), Red Anchor (NZ) and Sailor’s Guide.
“I think everyone will agree that the calibre of this year’s inductees is outstanding,” said Brendan Parnell, who chairs the Hall of Fame selection panel. “We look forward to honouring those living and passed, by acknowledging their achievements on and off the turf, and their world-renowned contributions to racing.”
“We look forward to honouring those living and passed, by acknowledging their achievements on and off the turf, and their world-renowned contributions to racing.” - Brendan Parnell
Each year, when the Hall of Fame inductees are announced, it spurs lively discussion on social channels, often about the inclusion or omission of a particular horse, and the merits of the new additions.
Few realise that any horse or person can be nominated to the Hall of Fame for consideration and, each year, the selection panel can often sit on up to 80 nominees.
The figureheads that make the final decision are state-based and well-known across the business. They include Bruce McAvaney, Claire Lindop, Ray Thomas, Gary Crispe, Peter Staples, Rodney Johnson and Wes Cameron, as well as Parnell.
The associates
With the Warrnambool Carnival in full swing this week, it’s a busy time for associate inductee Bob Charley. Charley, or ‘Banjo Bob’ as he is known (because of his expert recitals of Banjo Paterson), hasn’t missed being at ‘the Bool’ since 2005.
His passion for jumps racing took over when he slowed down his administrative duties within racing, and last year, on his annual visit to Cheltenham, he contracted COVID-19.
“Had I stayed in England, I wouldn’t be here today,” Charley said. “I wouldn’t have survived it.”
Bob Charley and Arnold House
As it was, Charley spent much of last year in a bad way, recovering from the illness that stripped him of half his body weight. His induction into the Hall of Fame this year is based on his long years in racing administration (he was Chairman of the AJC, among others), but also his efforts as an owner, breeder, commentator and historian. He was also Chairman of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame from 2011 to 2019, so he has a particular attachment to his induction.
“Naturally I was over the moon about it,” Charley said. “It’s the highest accolade you can receive in the racing industry, and it’s just magnificent to be able to join the outstanding men and women of the past who have been inducted, and all those who will be inducted in the future.”
“Naturally I was over the moon about it. It’s the highest accolade you can receive in the racing industry." - Bob Charley
In the associates category, Charley and Messara will join Tommy Woodcock, Jack and Bob Ingham, the Inglis family, Sir Patrick Hogan and Lloyd Williams, among others.
“It’s a lengthy process to get inducted,” Charley said. “Having been the Chairman of it, I can tell you that the list of people that have been nominated goes on forever. And all those people on the selection committee, they are there for a good reason. You don’t get chosen as a judge unless you really know the industry.”
Joining him in the associates category, John Messara needs no introduction. His efforts for racing, both as the studmaster of Arrowfield and in administrative roles outside of Arrowfield, have earned him exceptional respect industry-wide.
“I am obviously honoured by this recognition,” Messara said, “particularly as my name now sits alongside individuals and horses that I have long admired. I also take it as a recognition of those who have supported me, such as my wife Kris and my wonderful Arrowfield team, as I actively pursued my career in thoroughbreds.”
John Messara
The people
Les Bridge and the late Guy Walter will join an esteemed list of trainers this year in the Hall of Fame, one that already includes Bart Cummings and TJ Smith among the five inaugural inductees, but also Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, Lee Freedman and John Hawkes, right back to the 1930s’ Frank McGrath and even further to Etienne de Mestre.
Bridge has trained horses for 60 years, and is still going strong strong, his recent achievement with Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) winning The Everest last year in explosive fashion.
The late Guy Walter, who passed away in 2014, trained more than 1300 winners from his base at Warwick Farm, including Tie The Knot, who will join him in the Hall of Fame this year.
The pair will be joined by jockeys the late Darby McCarthy and 'Midget McLachlan' who, between them, rode decade-long careers at the highest levels. McCarthy was one of the most vaunted indigenous riders of his era, if not ever, while McLachlan will share Hall of Fame honours with his great-grandson, trainer Lee Freedman who was inducted in 2003.
The horses
Charley said the number of horses that face consideration each year for the Hall of Fame can often number 60, so it’s an impressive effort to narrow them down to four inductees. This year, Tie The Knot is arguably the most recognised, a versatile and celebrated galloper that was as good in the G1 Sydney Cup as the G2 Expressway S. over 1200 metres.
Tie The Knot won 13 Group 1 races, four Group 2s, a Group 3 and a Listed race through a sensational career, and is an apt inclusion with Guy Walter.
He is joined by Beau Vite from the 1940s, who won 30 stakes races from 1939 to 1942 in both Australia and New Zealand, Red Anchor, winner of the G1 Cox Plate, G1 Caulfield Guineas and G1 Victoria Derby as a 3-year-old, and Sailor’s Guide, who backed up a tremendous career in Australia through the late 1950s with wins in both the US and Canada.
Tie The Knot
“These are great horses,” Charley said, “but there are so many that can be included. On the initial list of nominees, which is extensive every year, there’d be very few that wouldn’t be worthy of being in the Hall of Fame. For many, it’s just a case of waiting their turn, with the judges having to decide simply which is the next most appropriate four to go in.”
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at 7pm local time on Friday, 14 May in Adelaide, and tickets can be purchased by members of the public.
