Home Australia Legendary jockey who won an incredible 1500 races dies, throwing the racing industry into mourning

Legendary jockey who won an incredible 1500 races dies, throwing the racing industry into mourning

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Legendary jockey Cliff Clare has died aged 93.
  • Legendary jockey dies aged 93
  • Cliff Clare has won over 1,500 races
  • He retired from horse racing at the age of 62.

The world of motor racing is in mourning following the death of legendary former jockey Cliff Clare.

Racing NSW confirmed Clare, who won more than 1500 races during a 45-year career, died on Wednesday.

“Cliff Clare was a modest, quiet-spoken gentleman who was greatly respected by all,” said Racing NSW Managing Director, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

“As well as being a leading jockey competing against some of the best we have ever seen, Cliff has always been generous with his time and given back to the industry, having been a highly valued member of the appeal committee of Racing NSW for two decades.

“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to Cliff’s family and friends.”

Legendary jockey Cliff Clare has died aged 93.

Legendary jockey Cliff Clare has died aged 93.

The Australian raced for 45 years and won more than 1,500 races.

The Australian raced for 45 years and won more than 1,500 races.

The Australian raced for 45 years and won more than 1,500 races.

Clare came from a large family in Denman (Hunter Valley) and was the youngest of 10 children before the family moved to Muswellbrook. After he turned 16, his mother took him to the Australian Jockey Club in Sydney where he apprenticed after Clare heard an advert on the radio.

Her first victory came at her favorite racecourse, Kembla Grange, aboard Fort Game, and last year Clare was inducted into the inaugural Illawarra Turf Club Legends program at that course.

Mr Clare teamed up with Rosehill trainer Ted Stanton and enjoyed a hugely successful partnership, with one of the highlights of his career being his victory in the 1967 Golden Slipper aboard the roughie 40/1 Sweet Embrace, owned by Jack and Bob Ingham: “Can you believe it? is the only Golden Slipper who has no vision due to a technical malfunction,” Clare said.

George Moore, according to Clare, was one of the best jockeys he rode against: “George was a great thinker; it would know if you are a right-handed or left-handed rider and could predict which direction your horse was going to move.

Clare also featured in the famous film “The Sundowners” in the mid-1950s: “It was a lot of fun, a few of us had to ride these racehorses up and down straight on the dirt. »

Clare retired at the age of 62 but was still deeply involved in motor racing.

Clare retired at the age of 62 but was still deeply involved in motor racing.

Clare retired at the age of 62 but was still deeply involved in motor racing.

In July 1990, Clare found a tight inside passage to stand up and win on Crown Joker at Rosehill.

John Tapp, the astonished race commentator, announced during the course broadcast that Clare was almost 60 years old, noting that he had participated in a “dashing and daring race for a runner of his age”.

“I came back to a reception like I had won another Golden Slipper – I asked myself: what is going on here?

He continued to compete until the age of 62 before retiring. He was appointed to the Racing Appeal Panel where he served from 2001 to 2022.

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