Today’s Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame ceremony at Newcastle Racecourse celebrated the induction of eight outstanding individuals and horses, honouring their exceptional contributions to the Thoroughbred racing industry within the Hunter Region.
Eligibility for induction in the Jockey, Trainer, and Associate categories required nominees to meet one or more of the following criteria: being born in the Region, having resided predominantly within it, or having made a significant impact on the local racing industry.
Equine inductees qualify by having competed out of Newcastle Racecourse or other Hunter Valley racecourses, and by demonstrating excellence at the highest levels of competition, representing the Newcastle and Hunter Regions.
Chairman of the Selection Committee, Duane Dowell, highlighted the significance of the biannual event, stating that it serves as a meaningful recognition of the inductees and underscores the vital role Newcastle and the Hunter Region play in the broader Australian racing landscape.
“My fellow committee members, Greg Radley, Ray Thomas, Gary Harley, and Sam North—were unanimous in their selections. Each inductee has made a remarkable contribution to our racing industry,” Dowell remarked.
The four categories and the 2023 inductees into the Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame are as follows:
Jockeys – Sponsored by Ascend Trophies
- Billy Lappin – In barely two seasons of riding Billy Lappin, a young man from Charlestown, had turned the racing world upside down. His untimely death in a race fall led to an unprecedented outpouring of grief throughout the racing world.
- Mervyn Maynard – Called the Darby Munro of the bush, Newcastle jockey Merv Maynard made his mark through Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Trainers – Sponsored by National Horse Transport
- Jim Johnstone – From working at BHP and driving taxis, John Johnstone’s skill had him ascend to the very top of the training ladder, with Stakes-winning gallopers like Razor Sharp and Salaam placing him at the peak of his profession.
- Betty Shepherd – A suggestion by a stipendiary steward that she apply for a stablehand’s licence sent Scone’s Betty Shepherd on a path that would yield her two trail-blazing achievements in her training career which included her being the first female trainer to have a runner in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Associates – Sponsored by Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association
- George Ryder – From developing the Golden Slipper, to making thoroughbred ownership possible for the average racegoer, George Ryder was at the forefront of most of the big innovations in the second half of the 20th century.
Arthur and Harry Mitchell – Scone’s Yarraman Park Stud might be the home of champion sire I Am Invincible but it’s also the home of the Mitchell family, where brothers Arthur and Harry prepare for future generations of thoroughbreds and
future generations of Mitchells.
Horses – Sponsored by Racing Post ANZ Bloodstock News
- Razor Sharp – While Razor Sharp provided the excitement of Group 1 wins in consecutive Newmarket Handicaps and three consecutive Group 2 Challenge Stakes its owners made sure everyone in the Hunter joined in the fun.
- Angst – For one fabulous Spring the three-year-old filly Angst lit up the Sydney carnival in an unprecedented display. She left us wanting more, but tragedy was to follow with her untimely death at her peak.
For more information about the Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame click here.
Additional information about the 2025 inductees can be found by clicking here.
For a copy of the full press release, click here.