Form Focus

The All-Time Australian G1 Champion Trainer - An incredible result… & it was a developed print. Access the exclusive Form Focus G1 Trainer Data (Race Names, Jockeys, Chronologically-ordered) right here: formfocus.com.au/champion-train…

Kevin Ryan served as the VRC’s Racing Secretary (Manager) & Handicapper from 1964 to 1979 & played a pivotal role in the computerisation of racing data in the ‘70s. Awarded an Order of Australia for services to racing, here’s some other extracts from his A.R.C. Address in 1972.

Some extracts from the Address of the Opening Session of the 10th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne, March 6, 1972. Titled “The Structure of Racing in Australia”, the speaker being the highly esteemed Victoria Racing Club’s Racing Secretary & Handicapper, Mr Kevin Ryan.

“The Group System”, further background reading regarding the philosophy of the grading of prestige (pattern) races. “Pattern races are divided into Group I, II & III, according to their importance as tests of the horse rather than their monetary value”.

“The Pattern System”, from the 1980 publication “Horse Racing - The complete guide to the world of the Turf”. “A series of races over the right distances at the right time of the year” “Horses to remain in training long enough to be tested properly for constitution & soundness”.

From a stellar riding career (38 G1 wins by today’s equivalent, plus countless features & Country Cups amongst nearly 2,500 winners) Pat Hyland also won six G1s as a trainer. For the final word, from “The Professor”, Roy Higgins pens a fine tribute to Hyland.

Ballarat, February 19, 1958. Where it all began…JERATHA gives 16yo Pat Hyland his first winner, fittingly for master Jim Moloney. A trainer-jockey partnership that would endure unbroken for almost 35 years, stars like Vain, Plush, Rom’s Stiletto, Arctic Symbol, Affinity, etc

R.I.P. Pat Hyland One of the great jockeys of the post-war era. On CRAFTSMAN rode 18 of 20 wins (VRC Derby, Aust Cup x2). On VAIN, all 12 wins of 14 starts, (G/Slipper, Caul Gneas, Craven A, George Adams) + Melb Cup (What a Nuisance), Caul Cup (Affinity), Cox Plate (Star Affair).

Clif Cary - 1968

2024/2025 was another stellar G1 season for James McDonald, the fifth straight year that he’s headed the Australian Leading G1 Jockeys Title. Just how does this compare with some other phenomenal G1 seasons? Read more here: formfocus.com.au/articles/

Yesterday’s Grand National Hurdle win by Highland Blaze was, by historical measures, quite a significant achievement by trainer Shane Jackson. Checkout the free “Did You Know”section on the Form Focus website: formfocus.com.au/did-you-know-a…

Remembering Robert Laing. Rob loved a story. One of the best (below). All the way back in 1972.

KAZANLIK. Trainer: Andy White. One of 4 3yo fillies to win the Easter Cup & the most recent (1972). She was ridden by John Stocker, who also won the 1971 Wakeful on her. Since 1972, only 2 fillies have run in the race, both unplaced (Charity Queen-1974, Sister Shirley-1988).

Two famous Oakleigh Plate winners: The amazing MALUA (L) won the first (1884) edition, a fortnight after winning the Newmarket. Later that year, the Adelaide Cup & Melbourne Cup were added. In 1901, the great WAKEFUL (R) scored, this superb mare then also winning the Newmarket.

The Futurity became WFA with a complex set of penalties & allowances the next year (1899). Winner was the brilliant 3yo Bobadil (runner-up to stablemate Resolute in 1898). Run as a Hcp (1944/45), the Futurity stayed as a WFA (Pen/All) race until 1979, converting to standard WFA.

The rather fascinating conditions of the very first Futurity Stakes, run Feb 12, 1898. A 3,000 pounds Handicap, the Futurity superseded the stake on offer for the 1897 Caul Cup (2,500 pounds) & Caul Gneas (500 pounds). The Futurity celebrates its 127th running this Saturday.

At an official SP of $26 (25/1), SKYBIRD becomes the longest-priced winner in the 71 editions of the Lightning Stakes. The 4yo mare eclipses 4 previous 20/1($21) Lightning winners: Misting-1958, Cap d’Antibes (L)-1975, Demus (R)-1983 & Gytrash-2020

DESIRABLE. Colin Hayes’s 2yo filly withstood a protest from Leica Show to win the 1976 Lightning Stks, placed in B/Diamond & Slipper, won VRC/AJC Sires. 2nd in ‘77 Lightning,1st ‘77 Newmarket (rider John Stocker). Apprentice MALCOLM JOHNSTON rode her at 43kg in the ‘76 Lightning.

DEMUS. A recent arrival into the Bob Hoysted stable, Demus (20/1) turned over his illustrious stablemate Manikato (5/2ef) in the 1983 Lightning, Razor Sharp in third place. Demus was ridden by Rodney Dawkins who also won the 1984 Lightning on the Bob Hoysted trained River Rough.

ZAMBARI. A versatile galloper trained by Tommy Smith, he contested 4 Lightnings, scoring in 1972 from Tauto (he also ran in 4 Lightnings) & Abinger. This was one of 4 Lightnings for HARRY WHITE during the ‘70s, his others Black Onyx-1970, Cap d’Antibes-1975 & The Judge-1979.

MAYBE MAHAL. One of 7 Lightnings (race record) for Bart Cummings, this grand mare scored in 1977 & 1978 (the latter year being the most recent win for barrier 3). Maybe Mahal is also one of 14 Lightning-Newmarket same year winners. JOHN STOCKER rode her in the 1978 Lightning.