The late, great Gavin Lang was elevated to the 12th Legend of Victorian harness racing at Saturday night’s Hall of Fame ceremony, capping a night that also saw six inductions and the first great families celebrated.
Lang was only the sixth participant to be named a Legend, joining greats of the track Gordon Rothacker (2012), George Gath (2014), Vin Knight (2017), Bill McKay (2018), and last year’s recipient Ted Demmler.
Lang, who passed in 2020 after a battle with cancer, was a popular recipient of the honour, which was received by his sister Michelle and her daughter Alex. The pair spoke of his humble nature, which meant it was only after his passing that they realised how much he was adored in the sport, having produced 6303 victories and won his owners almost $50 million in stakes across 32,000 starts.
Melton Entertainment Park’s Legends room was fittingly at capacity for the annual celebration, when associates Len Baker and Peter Wharton, participants John Caldow and Phonse Hickey, and horses Lennytheshark and Pure Steel were all inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The night’s 15th ceremony was also special for the introduction of the Family category, with the Gaths, Rothackers, and Shinns all lauded for their generations of famous harness racing performers.
Here are this year’s recipients:
LEGEND - GAVIN LANG
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
PURE STEEL
Never has a horse lived up to his name like Pure Steel. No-one was tougher or braver in a race, he tried his heart out for everyone, including his owner Russell Roberts, his six trainers and the eight reinsmen who won with him.
A WA Derby winner at three for Fred Kersley, Pure Steel won 57 races including four WA Cups, a Miracle Mile, and a sensational match race versus Satinover, however, it was in Victoria where he elevated himself above all others. The A G Hunter Cup is Victoria’s flagship event. Hall of Famers like Popular Alm have won it once and Minuteman won it twice, but only Pure Steel has won it three times.
The Hall of Fame welcomes Pure Steel, enjoy Ted Demmler and Dan Mielicki’s tribute to the great pacer.
LENNYTHESHARK
Lennytheshark is in rare air as the only Victorian-bred to win three million dollars.
Bred by Hall of Famer Kevin Newbound, Lennytheshark was owned by Kevin and Martin Riseley. He was initially educated by John Justice, who won semi-finals of the Breeders Crown and Vicbred Super Sires at aged two, before stamping his credentials with a win in the NSW Derby.
Transferred to David Aiken at age four, Lennytheshark was transformed into a winning machine and became one of only three horses to win the Inter Dominion – Miracle Mile – Victoria Cup treble. And he did the hard way in the Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile, displaying exceptional courage that moved Chris Alford to exclaim, “he is the best horse I have ever driven, full stop.”
The Hall of Fame welcomes Lennytheshark, enjoy Martin Riseley and Dan Mielicki’s tribute to ‘the Shark’.
JOHN CALDOW
John Caldow is one of just eight drivers to have won 4000 Australasian races.
The son of Sunraysia legend Jack Caldow and brother to Australasian Junior Driving Champion Peter, John’s life was turned upside down as a teenager, when Peter was killed in a car crash and Jack was seriously injured.
Through sheer necessity John was thrust into controlling the stable and, subsequently, baby-faced at age 16, he won his first race at Mildura on Tarleton Kid. Underlining his exceptional talent was his success in series where drives are drawn by ballot. John is the only driver to win two Australian Junior Driving Championships. He also won two Noel Smith Series at Horsham and was successful in the Quaddie of Stars.
His reputation as a catch driver is underlined by the fact his 750 plus Melbourne winners have been trained by 160 different trainers.
Minda Rica, the 1991 Victoria Oaks winner, was John’s first Group 1 champion in a career that boasts nine sires stakes finals, nine Oaks winners, four Breeders Crowns, three Australian Gold finals and a Chariots of Fire.
John’s success could not have attained such great heights without his wife Maree, who took over the stable training duties in 1999. She hails from Maryborough girl, and it is appropriate that two of their most memorable victories took place there – the 2007 Redwood Classic with Lord Of The Gym and John’s 4000th victory.
The Hall of Fame welcomes John Caldow, enjoy Maree and Hall of Fame Legend Ted Demmler’s tribute to the talented reinsman.
PHONSE HICKEY
Phonse Hickey’s career was unique. He was 34 years old when he had his first drive and was one of hundreds forced to retire early by national authorities at age 65, but still managed to clock up 500-plus winners.
He won a trial with his first horse Main Trust in 1947 at the Footscray Speedway and, several months later, the pair won their first race at Phonse’s birth-town, Cobden. Phonse gradually built up his team and involved himself politically with the M&CTA, pushing for better stakemoney, conditions and safety as well as setting up the Maribyrnong club near the Highpoint Shopping Centre.
In 1953, two stars entered his stable. Pay Load won the 1953 Samuel Justin Cup at Terang and then Blue Robert, in 1954, won the first ever cups run at Geelong and Warragul. Phonse’s crowning achievement was, no doubt, Pay Load’s victory in the 1959 A G Hunter Cup, in which he defeated Sheffield Globe, who would later win two Hunter Cups.
In the ’60s, his racing silks of White, Green Shamrock and Sleeves were synonymous with the Showgrounds, with winners like Pentland Lass (3UZ Cup), Inter Dominion heat winner Laradoc, and, of course, Peko, who won the Healesville Cup.
Forced to retire in 1978, Phonse had his last drive at Kilmore alongside another Hall of Famer, Bill Shinn, but as soon as the Golden Oldies concept was created, Phonse was there front and centre. And when an opportunity was offered to take part in an old-time, high-wheeled sulky contest, Phonse accepted it and won, defeating the legend George Gath. After retirement Phonse enjoyed watching his son-in-law Peter Ward’s team and was one of the select few to be afforded an honour day at Cranbourne. He also received a Distinguished Service Medal and M&CTA Life Membership.
Now another honour awaits. The Hall of Fame welcomes the late Phonse Hickey, enjoyed Ginger Gleeson’s tribute.
LEN BAKER
There is no more recognisable face on Victorian harness racing tracks than Len Baker.
For more than 70 years he has been attending meetings, firstly as a spectator, then as a bookmaker, owner, sponsor, journalist and promoter.
The son of bookmaker Len Baker Snr, Len has fielded at all Victorian tracks, owned more than 30 pacers and trotters, however, it is as an administrator, journalist, and promoter of the sport that he will be best remembered.
He was secretary of the Metropolitan & Country Trotting Association, been President of the Victorian Harness Racing Media Association since 2017 and was a regular in the Trainers & Drivers versus the Bookies & Press football games. Len is a Life Member of the media association and a recipient of the prestigious Bob Cain Memorial Award. In 2004/5, Harness Racing Victoria bestowed Len with an award for Outstanding Service to Harness Racing for a Media Personality.
Importantly he was producer and host of the Harness Review radio program, which interviewed more than 4000 people and collected a record 11 national awards for best radio program. In addition, Len won a national literary award for Best Historical Feature in 2013 and has written the Sulky Snippets column, which has appeared in suburban and provincial newspapers for more than 30 years. His relationships with people is renowned and that is borne out by his dignified and fascinating obituaries he has provided to Harness Racing Victoria and the national website for the past eight years.
Len is a great advocate for Harness Racing and has endeavoured to pass on his love for the sport to as many as possible through countless guided tours to the NZ Cup, NZ Harness Jewels, and the Redwood. He has been a passionate supporter of the Hall of Fame concept and it is indeed appropriate that he joins founder Gordon Lockman as a member.
The Hall of Fame welcomes Len Baker, who is celebrated by Dan Mielicki and Alexandra Hurley.
PETER WHARTON
There could hardly be anyone in harness racing who hasn’t read an offering from renowned journalist Peter Wharton, who has been pumping out positive articles for some 50 years.
A real gentleman of the racing scene, Peter started in 1975 as Deputy Editor and Advertising Manager of The Australian Trotting Register with Bruce Skeggs and Gordon Lockman. He loved the trots and stepped up to call races at the original Southern Speedways, later graduating to calling races on 3GL.
A part owner of 1975 Ouyen Cup winner Go Van, in 1980 he married Anne Beeby. Five years later, Peter partnered with Ron Jenkins to produce and edit the book 250 Great Trotters. In 1990, Peter took up the role as advertising manager for The Harness Racer and six years after that undertook a 10-year term as the advertising manager and journalist of the Harness Racing Weekly. He had two of stints with Track Bred, which he edited for 16 years, retiring in 2019.
There was also a two-year period where Peter was manager for Australia’s leading stud, Alabar Farms. Throughout this time Peter was an active member of the Victorian Harness Racing Media Association, being secretary and/or treasurer for 12 years, and earning both Life Membership and the prestigious Bob Cain Memorial Award as well as enjoying competing in the Press vs Trainers & Drivers cricket games.
From 2000, Peter also branched out into advising people in bloodstock breeding and racing matters, and provided hundreds of valuations to help people. His Peter’s articles have also appeared regularly in New Zealand and for the past six years they have appeared weekly on the Victorian and national websites. It was no surprise that this year Peter received a Harness Racing Victoria Distinguished Services Medal.
Higher honours await. The Hall of Fame welcomes Peter Wharton, who is celebrated by Duncan McPherson and Merv Butterworth.
FAMILIES
For the first time, ‘Families’ had their own Hall of Fame category, honouring the bloodlines who have toiled and triumphed across harness racing’s proud Victorian history.
Here are the first inductees into the Families category …
The Gath Family combined for an outstanding 2916 metropolitan driving victories and 1755 metropolitan training victories, an ever-increasing record of on-track success.
Fittingly, it is almost 100 years since George Gath in June of 1927 won the first Melbourne metropolitan race, scoring with grey mare Edna Direct at Richmond. It would be the first of many wins, here’s but a small snapshot of some of the key figures:
GEORGE GATH
- An inaugural Hall of Fame inductee, second person elevated to a Hall of Fame Legend (2014)
- Won 13 trainers and drivers’ premierships across Victoria and South Australia
- His siblings Norman, ‘Snowy’ (Trevor), Peter, and Albert also drove Melbourne metropolitan winners
George produced two Hall of Fame sons, Neville and Brian.
BRIAN GATH
- A four-time drivers’ and one-time trainers’ premiership winner, and won an Inter Dominion with Markovina
- Brian is the father of participant Matthew Gath, and had a special moment in 2023, when he raced again Matthew and his grandson Louis Emerson at Kilmore
NEVILLE GATH
- A gifted reinsman who won three drivers’ premierships
- Fathered four sons who registered metropolitan wins – Philip, David, Glenn, and Andy
ANDY GATH
- A four-time trainers’ premiership winner, Andy is a three-time winner of the Great Southern Star
- And has had two amazing trainer-driver partnerships, with Kerryn Manning, a four-time drivers’ premiership winner, and now Kate Gath, a three-time drivers’ premiership winner
The Rothacker’s harness racing story spawns from Albert and Elizabeth, who gifted us Bill, Vic, Charles and Reta. Here’s a snapshot of some of the key players who helped shape Victorian harness racing.
BILL ROTHACKER
- A metropolitan trainer and driver, and was awarded a Distinguished Services Medal
- Bill was the father of Gordon, Dorothy, and Albert Rothacker
- Gordon was a 14-time metropolitan drivers’ premiership winner, having a career that saw him named this Hall’s first Legend as well as having the state’s leading award, the Gordon Rothacker Medal, and the Melton grandstand named in his honour. He represented Australia in the World Drivers’ Championship in the US. His wife, Jean, owned and bred many of his champions, including Angelique, and their daughter, Judy, was an owner and HRV Board member.
- Albert, like father Bill, combined life on the farm with owning and breeding horses, which was continued by his children Robert and Carole
VIC ROTHACKER
- Like Bill, Vic was a metropolitan trainer and driver, Distinguished Services Medal winner, and president of Bendigo Harness Racing Club, which named its grandstand in his honour
- He was the father of Eric, Des, and Stuart, who were all trainers and drivers
- Eric was the trainer/driver of the 1956 Inter Dominion winner Gentleman John, and represented Australia in the World Amateur Driving Championship
- Their legacy continues through a third generation, with Peter, son of Eric, and Stuart Jr, son of Stuart Snr, still involved today
RETA ROTHACKER
- Married Hugh Redwood in 1935, who was the father of the famous two-year-old trotting feature, the Redwood Classic.
- Their sons Colin and Noel both trained and drove metropolitan winners, with Colin representing Australia in the World Amateur Driving Championship and receiving a Distinguished Services Medal
CHARLES ROTHACKER
- Was the father of Nancy Rothacker, who married Keith Rawiller. Their son, also named Keith, enjoyed success in harness racing and thoroughbreds, including fathering renowned jockeys Nash and Brad
The Shinn’s family influence has spread interstate and cross-code, and was perhaps most felt in their home-town Kilmore Cup, where they combined to produce three winners as trainer-drivers. Their harness racing story began with …
HUBERT SHINN
- His first recorded victory was with Captain Harold on March 12, 1923
- He finished as a top five trainer and driver for 11 successive seasons, including winning the Melbourne drivers’ premiership in 1933/34
Hubert had three sons who were prominent horsemen – Bill, Reg, and Frank
BILL SHINN
- Became a household name in South Australian harness racing, driving 332 winners at Wayville
- He finished top five in the Melbourne drivers and trainers premierships despite being SA-based
- Bill’s son, Brian, was a successful South Australian trainer-driver, who had metropolitan success at the Melbourne Showgrounds
REG SHINN
- Won races at Richmond, Ascot and the Showgrounds, and trained in SA and Tasmania before moving to Kilmore in the 1960s
- Reg was the father of Noel Shinn, who finished top five in metropolitan trainers and drivers’ premierships and married Ruth, a talented driver and trainer, with 88 metropolitan training wins
- Noel and Ruth’s children, Chris and Jessie, both have driven metropolitan winners
FRANK SHINN
- Had a top five Melbourne drivers’ premiership finish and his service to the sport was recognised with a Distinguished Services Medal
- Frank was the father of horsemen Gerald and Steven.
- A metropolitan winning trainer and driver, Gerald switched between thoroughbreds and harness racing throughout his career, and is the father of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Blake Shinn. He also father Steven Shinn, a participant in Australia and North America, and a leading steward in three Australian states
