3 minute read

One of Tasmania’s most loved Hall of Fame inductees Geegees Blackflash was last night elevated to Legend status at the annual Tasmanian Thoroughbred Awards Gala Event at Country Club Tasmania in Launceston.

In Brief

• The peoples horse upgraded to Legend status.
• Michael Trinder honoured with Hall of Fame induction.
• Honest stayer Andrias joins the elite club.

Geegees Blackflash earned his place in the elite club by winning 22 of his 69 starts with 27 minor placings contributing towards career stake earnings of $1.2 million, all of which was earned in Tasmania.

Despite having never raced outside of Tasmania, "The Flash" had a fan base that stretched far and wide but his owner-breeders Paul and Elizabeth Geard were content to race in Tasmania where the black gelding became the peoples horse.

Between 2009 and 2015 Geegees Blackflash won over distances ranging from 1100m to 2400m winning major cups as well as multiple weight-for-age and Listed events.

His wins included two Hobart Cups (2012, 2015), a Launceston Cup (2013) and he also won the state's most prestigious sprint the Newmarket Handicap over 1200m in 2011 but none more memorable than his 2015 Hobart Cup win as an eight-year-old.

Paul Geard was elated with his former star's upgrade.

"This is the ultimate honour for the horse, and I don't think we will ever have another Geegees Blackflash, even though as breeders and owners we live in hope," Geard said.

Two more horses were inducted into the elite club last night in top race mare and successful broodmare Kat's Clause along with former major cups winner Andrias that was owned by the late Darrel Baldock.

Former talented jockey Kevin Dodge made his way into the Hall of Fame and he travelled from the Northern Territory to receive his citation.

Dodge won two Hobart Cups, three Devonport Cups as well as multiple feature race wins until a serious race fall ended his career in 2007.

Trainer Michael Trinder received a rousing reception when he was announced as the trainer induction.

Trinder secured his trainer's license in 1973, the year after the family-owned Piping Lane won the Melbourne Cup.

During a career that spans almost 50 years, Trinder has earned the respect of all in the industry, and he boasts two state trainer's premierships (1983 and 1989).

He celebrated a milestone last year when his mare Toorak Affair won the 2020 Hobart Cup, which until then, was the only feature race not on the list of Trinder-trained winners.

He has trained many of Tasmania's great gallopers including Mansion Downs, Sacred Glance, Monsist, Misty Weather that won eight in succession over the jumps in Australia, and Tengha Hari that won an A.V. Hiskens and an Australian Steeplechase.

The late Rod Thirkell-Johnston AM was finally recognised for his achievements as a racing administrator by being inducted in the Associate category.

Thirkell-Johnston served as chairman of the Tasmanian Turf Club for 16 years over two terms and he also chaired the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council.

He earned great respect as an administrator and after his death, tributes to his life and achievements were held both in Tasmania and at a special memorial service at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.