Nominations are now open for the Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame with inductees to be announced and celebrated at a Luncheon on Tuesday 26th August 2025.
The Newcastle & Hunter (“the Region”) Racing Hall of Fame recognises and honours outstanding achievements in the Thoroughbred Industry emanating from the Region.
The eligibility clauses for Jockey, Trainer and Associate require the nominee to be born in the Region, predominantly domiciled in the Region, or made a significant contribution to the Racing Industry in the Region, to be eligible.
The horse inductees qualified by competing out of Newcastle Racecourse or any other Hunter Valley Racecourse which is considered a product of the Newcastle and/or Hunter Regions, and which has excelled at the highest level in the Region.
The Selection Committee Chairman Duane Dowell said the biannual event was great recognition for those inducted and showcased the importance of Newcastle and the Hunter Region as an integral part of the Australian Racing Industry.
“My fellow Selection Committeeman consisting of Greg Radley, Ray Thomas, Gary Harley, Sam North and Robert Dan all have great knowledge of racing and will no doubt find it difficult to settle on the 2025 inductees from a long list of new and previous nominations across the four categories.” Dowell commented.
The four categories and successful inductees from 2023 included:
Racehorses
Ortensia – Multiple Group 1 winner including in Australia, Dubai and UK when trained by Paul Messara.
Samantha Miss – Three-time Group 1 winner in her short 12 start career trained by Kris Lees.
Trainers
Neville Begg – Legendary trainer of 139 stakes races including 39 Group 1 events including being the trainer of 1984 Australian Horse of the Year Emancipation.
Clarry Conners – Champion trainer with 37 Group 1 wins including four Golden Slippers.
Jockeys
Jim Pike – Champion Jockey of his time. Melbourne Cup winning rider of Australia’s most well-known horse Phar Lap.
Albert Shanahan – Two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey and winner of around 1000 races in the early 1900’s.
Associates
John Messara AM – Outstanding contribution to the Racing Industry as a thoroughbred breeder and racing administrator.
Roy Mahony – In recognition for his outstanding contribution to Racing Administration including 35 years (ten years as Chairman) on the Board of the Newcastle Jockey Club.
Nominations are now open and close on Wednesday 30th April. Nominations can be registered on the Hunter Racing Hall of Fame Website by completing the online form.
Click here for more information about the Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame
For more information contact Duane Dowell (CEO – Newcastle Jockey Club)
duane@njc.com.au or 0432 925588
