Northerly’s step of fame

Northerly, aged 14, pranced around like a two-year-old when he paraded today at Moonee Valley at the announcement of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductees.

Northerly, ridden by Damien Oliver, strode down the famous straight and later posed with two of his former jockeys Greg Childs and Patrick Payne. (photo Lachlan Cunningham).

The West Australian gelding’s trainer Fred Kersley wasn’t on hand for today’s announcement but he will be at the Crown Palladium on Sunday night when Northerly is formerly inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Northerly retired in 2004 the winner 0f 19 of his 37 starts and $9.34m in stakes. He won two Cox Plates, two Australian Cups, a Caulfield Cup and a Railway Stakes.

Northerly is joined in the Hall of Fame by Sky High, the brilliant Golden Slipper winner who trained on to win a Victoria Derby and many top-class weight-for-age races.

COMMOTION CREATIVE HALL OF FAME HORSE INDUCTEES

Northerly – In the care of Fred Kersley, Northerly excelled under weight-for-age and handicap conditions with two Cox Plates, a Caulfield Cup,two Australian Cups, two Underwood Stakes and the Railway Stakes amongst his feature haul. His outstanding feats saw him named the Australian Racehorse of the Year in 2003.

Sky High – A brilliant horse who excelled from 1000 to 2500 metres and amassed an astonishing 29 wins and 19 minor placings from 55 starts. A winner of the Golden Slipper and Victoria Derby for trainer Jack Green, he enjoyed a stellar season in 1961 with victories in the Lightning Stakes, Futurity Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes, Canterbury Stakes and the Epsom Handicap.

CROWN TOWERS HALL OF FAME ASSOCIATE INDUCTEE

Henry Byron Moore – Served as the Secretary of the VRC for 44 years from 1882 to 1925 and was instrumental in establishing many of the facilities and attractions that make Flemington one of the great racecourses of the world including the members’ drive and the famous rose plantings. Moore has also been acknowledged as the visionary responsible for Oaks Day being recognised today as ‘Ladies Day’.

MICHELTON WINES HALL OF FAME TRAINER INDUCTEES

Harry Plant – Best known for his training feats with inaugural Hall of Fame inductee Bernborough who won 15 races in succession. Plant’s feature race wins included four Doncaster Handicaps, two Golden Slippers, three AJC Sires Produce Stakes, a Newmarket Handicap, Futurity Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Stradbroke Handicap and a Doomben Cup.

Jim Atkins – A member of one of the most prominent racing families in northern New South Wales before moving to Toowoomba, Atkins achieved his ambition of winning the Brisbane trainers’ premiership in 1971-72. He won a further three premierships and was a regular fixture in the top 10 over the next 25 years. Atkins’ stable of stars included Dalrello, Grey Affair, Prince Ruling, Just Now, Mr Cromwell and Rock Show.

AUSTRALIAN SUPER HALL OF FAME JOCKEY INDUCTEES

William “Billy” Pyers – Pyers had a remarkable start to his career – by the time he’d turned 24 in 1957 he’d won the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership seven times. He won further titles in 1959-60 and 1960-61 and counts the Caulfield Cup, Newmarket Handicap and Golden Slipper Stakes amongst his feature wins. Pyers then embarked on a successful career in Europe with his international victories including two King George VI and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as well as the 1967 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

John Letts – In a career spanning over 30 years, Letts rode 2350 winners. His total of 97 Cup wins, 30 in the city and 67 in the country, has never been matched and includes two Melbourne Cups (Piping Lane 1972, Belldale Ball 1980), three Adelaide Cups, an Australian Cup, a Moonee Valley Cup and a Hobart Cup. In 1972-73 he won the first of his eight Adelaide jockeys premierships.

Sunday night’s ceremony will also see an existing member of the Hall of Fame awarded racing’s highest honour when they join Phar Lap, Bart Cummings and Scobie Breasley as a Staging Connections Legend of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

Other honours to be bestowed on the night as part of the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards include:

Sky Racing World Australian Racehorse of the Year

Inglis Bloodstock Champion Sprinter

Mittys Champion Middle Distance Performer

New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Champion Stayer

Tickets for Australian racing’s night of nights are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.racingmuseum.com.au/events or by calling Customer First on 1300 139 407.