In the cosy little town of Cowra nestled away in the tablelands lives an absolute icon by the name of George Hoy.
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A horse trainer of the likes never been seen.
George was introduced to the Koorawatha community when his son Gavin used to play for the mighty Koorawatha Jets in their halcyon days, playing alongside quality footballers like Glen Peterson, brother Mick, Adam Webb, Jack Slockee, Dave O’Brien, Jason McVicar and players of that ilk.
George Hoy is renowned for his ability to resurrect broken down horses that no body else wants.
One of his earliest horses was old Vakris.
Six-years-old and seemingly worn out, the horse found a new lease of life under George’s care and tutelage, winning six races with him and many minor placings as well.
It would have been seven wins but he lost one on protest for interference in the first 50 metres.
Old Mystique was seven when he took up residence at the stable.
He had previously been trained by notable Sydney trainer Bede Murry who recommended retirement for him.
George won nine more races with him.
He tells a story of how he bought a horse off another local, an old shearer and knockabout bloke Larry Walsh for $300 and won $18,000 with him.
The horses name was Gift Tat.
He believes this could be a first.
He had a first in at Bungandore called Princess Brother.
It won two races in the one day and it was ridden by his daughter Jenny.
He reckons he could be one of a very select few who could say he bred the horse and the rider.
George has a new horse, it will be five years old in a couple of months.
He has had him for roughly seven weeks.
He’s started him three times and won twice, the best one being a showcase event at Orange with first prizemoney of $16,000.
Fantastic for a bloke who has been kicking a tin around much of his life.
He is wrapt to have a few dollars in his pocket.
Being the bloke he is, George Hoy is giving us a blanket tip for Welcome Art at Canberra this afternoon.
The four-year-old gelding is hoping to make it three wins on the trot for Hoy and jockey Eleanor Webster-Hawes.
The trio have combined to make a formidable team having only worked together for the past three starts.
On debut together they finished sixth in a Class 4 race at Cowra on March 2 this year.
Friday’s assignment is a benchmark 65 handicap and is race number six on the eight race program.
Webster-Hawes will be aboard from barrier two through the 1600m journey. Top-weight is Trying trained by Norm Gardner.
Let’s have a small amount on him and wish him the best. George Hoy is 80 years of age.
