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Media Release: Two of the greats set to enter Thoroughbred Racing’s Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame inductees Jim Courtney (left) and Doiran (right).

An eight-time South Australian Jockeys Premiership winner and an Oakbank legend will soon occupy a special place in South Australian racing history, with both set to be inducted into the South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame tomorrow night (Saturday 31 August).

Jockey Jim Courtney and horse Doiran will be formally inducted as part of the prestigious South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry Awards at Morphettville, joining a line-up of other South Australian racing greats.

“It is our pleasure to identify some of these racing legends each year and to immortalise them in the pages of racing history,” said Thoroughbred Racing SA CEO Jim Watters.

“This year’s inductees are very worthy of the honour, and we’re looking forward to celebrating their achievements tomorrow night alongside the current stars of South Australian racing.”

Jim Courtney, affectionately known as ‘Gentleman Jim’, commenced his riding career as an apprentice to his uncle Brian Courtney in Victoria in 1962. But it wasn’t until he made the move to South Australia to ride for Colin Hayes that he realised his full potential.

Over his 28 years in the saddle, Jim rode 1,638 winners including winning every major South Australian race with the exception of the SA Derby. He also took home the South Australian Jockeys Premiership on eight occasions, from 1975/76 through to 1988/89.

The horse Doiran will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever race at Oakbank, having won the Great Eastern Steeplechase four times – a feat that has never been repeated.

Doiran won back-to-back Great Easterns in 1918-19 before winning his third in 1922 and most remarkably a fourth the following year despite carrying 79.5kg. 

Winners of the 2019 South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry Awards will be announced Saturday night.

Media enquiries: Alexandra Green, Michels Warren on 0418 608 038 or agreen@micwar.com.au  

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