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Racing

Lloyd Williams pays tribute to his Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Pat Hyland

Hall of Famer Lloyd Williams, the most successful owner in Melbourne Cup history, has paid Pat Hyland the ultimate compliment after the former champion jockey's passing yesterday.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien, Owner LLoyd Williams and Jockey Corey Brown after Rekindling winning the Emirates Melbourne Cup
Trainer Joseph O'Brien, Owner LLoyd Williams and Jockey Corey Brown after Rekindling winning the Emirates Melbourne Cup Picture: Racing and Sports
"The biggest influences in my racing career were Tommy Smith and Pat Hyland,'' Williams told Racing And Sports.

"They go down as the two people who fashioned me to try and get Group 1 winners.

"My admiration for Pat Hyland is unbounding.''

Trainer: PAT T HYLAND, after Lizard Island winning the Ern Jensen Funerals (Bm90)
Trainer: PAT T HYLAND, after Lizard Island winning the Ern Jensen Funerals (Bm90) Picture: Racing and Sports
Hyland, the former champion jockey who is also a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, died on Monday after a long battle with illness. He was 84.

Williams has owned a record seven Melbourne Cup winners including What A Nuisance who Hyland rode to win the famous Flemington two-miler in 1985.

Williams revealed Hyland played a particularly significant behind-the-scenes role in What A Nuisance's Cup preparation.

"What A Nuisance had to be rehabilitated after he broke down in the 1984 Sydney Cup,'' Williams said.
"The horse went to Pat's property at Mordialloc where he looked after the horse and took care of his rehabilitation.

"So, Pat not only rode What A Nuisance to win the Melbourne Cup for me, he also helped to get the horse fit and ready to race again.''

Hyland is one of only eight jockeys to have ridden the winners of the "Grand Slam" of Australian racing.

He also won the Cox Plate on Star Affair (1965), Golden Slipper on champion Vain (1969), and Caulfield Cup on Affinity (1984).

Williams also revealed another little-known fact – Hyland rode the owner's first-ever race winner.

"Pat won my first race for me on a horse called Cautious Sue in the mid-1960's,'' Williams said. "He was my introduction to racing.''

Hyland rode 30 Group 1 winners during his outstanding riding career and will forever be remembered as the regular jockey of the mighty Vain, one of the all-time great sprinters.

After Hyland retired from riding in 1990, he took out a trainer's licence and prepared more than 500 winners including Group 1 successes with Saleous, Zarita and Bonaria.

When Saleous won the 1995 VRC Oaks, Hyland achieved the rare feat of training and riding the winner of the fillies classic after having won the Oaks on Rom's Stiletto in 1982.

Williams said Hyland deserves to be remembered as one of racing's "great ambassadors".

"Pat was an outstanding jockey and won all the major races, he then trained Group 1 winners, and he was a wonderful family man,'' Williams said.

"He was a shining light among jockeys and always such an outstanding example for young people coming through the ranks in racing. His contribution to racing over more than 60 years has been extraordinary.''


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