Hall of Fame inductees

MELBOURNE, Aug 31 AAP - Snapshots of the 2010 Australian Racing Hall of Fame Inductees.-

HORSES

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 and the Railway Stakes among his feature haul. His outstanding feats earned him 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.

TRAINERS

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 NSW, 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.

JOCKEYS

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 among his feature wins. Pyers then embarked on a successful career in Europe with his international victories including two King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as well as the 1967 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

JOHN LETTS: In a career spanning more than 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, Beldale 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.

ASSOCIATE

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.

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