An emotional Keith Pratt humbly accepted a Gordon Rothacker Medal tonight which celebrated a brilliant horseman whose success on the track was matched by his kindness off it.

A lifetime involvement with horses was recognised as Pratt was named a dual winner along with Paul James during Harness Racing Victoria’s virtual presentation on thetrots.com.au.

Only the second time two winners have been awarded, with Elizabeth and Bruce Clarke having both earned medals in 2008, Pratt’s recognition reflected a service to the trots that stretches back to the 1960s.

“I’ve done that all my life, (been) with horses,” he said. “When I was not very old dad bought me ponies and I raced them little things for a while.”

Pratt was involved in thoroughbreds, including riding in picnic races, before a standardbred caught his eye and a new passion formed.

“I saw this little horse in the paddock … and I took him,” he said. “That was my first horse. He won.”

He obtained his trainers’ licence in 1965 and continues to train a team from his private track in Bendigo today, remarkably having enjoyed success as a breeder, owner, trainer or driver at every race track in Victoria, including the showgrounds.

He partnered with the late great Graeme and Gavin Lang with a horse called Crystal Sunset to win the 3YO Trotting Fillies Oceania El Dorado, and also enjoyed significant success with Arrogant Al, Royal Walton, Artista, New York Skipper, Pannoo Lass and the currently racing Playing The Aces.

But it wasn’t only as a participant that he left a mighty legacy.

Pratt was also Clerk of the Course for 52 years, showing great skill and courage and helping develop up and coming Clerks of the Course by always donating his time and horses.

“That was my job to help the drivers and look after all the drivers,” he said, accrediting much of his success to his late wife, Barbara.

“She would have been (proud of me), definitely,” he said. “It was 62 years I had her. She did everything.”

The win was made all the more significant because the medal carries the name of a man he knew well – Gordon Rothacker.

“I used to have good talks with him in the drivers’ room at Moonee Valley and that, and I knew him when he came to Bendigo and everywhere,” he said. “I knew him very well. Great man.”

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