35 MOONEE VALLEY RACING CLUB 34 By MVRC Staff KERRY GILLESPIE – First past the post Kerry was also the first female Committee member of the MVRC in 1997 and the first female to be awarded Life Membership in 2013. A quite remarkable lady of racing, with whom we are honoured to be associated. We caught up with Kerry recently to capture just a few of the many fond, funny and fascinating memories she has of the Cox Plate. When it comes to racing firsts, Kerry Gillespie has tasted the sweet victory of W.S. Cox Plate success as co-owner of Fields of Omagh in 2003 and 2006, and she has also been the driving force behind many of today’s most important industry initiatives. A CV WITHOUT EQUAL 1983 Founded tours by public and schools at VRC on racedays 1997 First female Committee member of the MVRC 1999 Co-founder of the Might & Power room at the MVRC (first owners’ room on raceday) 2000 Co-founder of Australian Racing Hall of Fame 2000 Awarded Lady in Racing 2000 Vice Chairman of Australian Racing Museum 2002 – 2006 Co-owner of Fields of Omagh 2006 Co-founder of Living Legends 2007 Introduced the first interstate female jockey challenge 2013 First female Life Member of the MVRC 2013 International Cox Plate Ambassador (Mull of Killough) 2006 Fields of Omagh FOO was only one of two horses to ever compete in five consecutive Cox Plates (Tranquil Star being the other), and he was winner of two of them and placed in the other three. We started Living Legends from him after his second victory in 2006. That win was a surprise. He walked onto the course that day with his neck stretched up to the sky, looking like he owned it. Being a heavy horse, he loved The Valley as the track was always kind to his legs. During the race, he was back last which was not his pattern. I was beside breeder Martin O’Connor and recall telling him that FOO can’t win. But Craig Williams pulled him out wide and he swooped to victory. 1976 Surround That day is etched in my memory as the day that we had a total eclipse over Melbourne. It was such a unique day 1996 Saintly I was there that day as a spectator – and I will never forget that finish between Saintly, Filante and Gai’s All Our Mob. Saintly had the biggest eye that day. I almost felt he winked over to us as he crossed the line to say, “I’ve got this!”. 2003 Fields of Omagh When FOO beat the horse of the year Lonhro to win his first Cox Plate, everyone was rightly referencing how the recently departed Jack Ingham would have been up in heaven fighting for his colt Lonhro to win. My husband had also just died, and I remember thinking, “well, both were fighting up there about who was going to win!” 1998 Might and Power He blitzed the field that day from the front. I was always in awe of his curious running action – how he pounded the turf with his near foreleg swinging. He looked like he was stirring a bowl. "He looked like he was st irring a bowl." 2005 Makybe Diva As the field approached the corner near the old Tabaret building, I remember thinking this is going to be interesting. Every horse was making its run at that same time. I recall the amazing photograph taken of the field stretched across the track near the school.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODA1NTI=