Gentleman Murray Moyle, age 95

Harness racing in regional Victoria flourished in the early part of the 20^th century due in no small measure to a raft of passionate small-time hobbyists and farmer-trainers who had “a horse or two”.

Murray Moyle was one of those, and industry figures in the Wimmera Mallee were quick to pay tribute to a “gentleman and character of the sport” after the 95-year old’s passing on Saturday.

Moyle, a farmer who raced only a small team, enjoyed a good deal of success.  Much of it was thanks to the deeds of his talented race mare Spokane Star (Royal Dollar) who raced in the 1970s, and then, as a broodmare, kept Moyle with a handy horse in his team for the best part of two decades.

Spokane Star produced seven winners from 11 foals from the late-1970s to the early 1990s, including Magnus Star (Magnus Apollo) (nine wins, including seven in his first season of racing) and his full brother Dynasty Prince (11 wins, six from his first 10 starts).

Moyle was based in the farming region around Hopetoun, Rainbow and Yaapeet, where the nearest harness racing track was Ouyen or Horsham (both 100km plus away).  But despite the distance, the region had a strong contingent of small to medium sized trainers, including names such as Jack Lush, the Conway families, Tom White, and Keith Wellington.

“Murray always had a nice horse, and Spokane Star and Magnus Star were very nice horses, along with Gedda Jean (Jefs Emperor) and Scorcher Mitchell (Lou Mitchell),” remembers former district identity and trainer Dale Eastman.

“He put in a track at Hopevale, between Yaapeet and Hopetoun, and that’s where he trained them.  He did it his way, hard and tough and he was certainly ahead of his time,” Eastman said.

As well as a fine conditioner of horses, Moyle was also remembered for his smart dress standards, his friendly manner and his love of sport in general, playing golf right up until last winter.

Murray Moyle was the second trainer of his generation lost to the small community in recent days.

Another early trainer-driver Grat Parry passed away last week, aged 89. Parry had been living at Rainbow for the past 20 years but competed mainly as a driver across the Wimmera and Northern region in the 1960s and 70s, later preparing a small team of his own.r

Murray Moyle’s funeral will be held St John’s Lutheran Church at Hopetoun on Monday (Jun 26) at 1.30 pm.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink