Keith Pratt earns Rothacker Medal honour

Pratt and Ballarat’s Paul James were named joint winners of the award, which has been won by some of the greats of the sport.

Pratt has been involved in harness racing for the best part of 60 years as a breeder, owner, trainer, driver and clerk of the course.

His best horse was Crystal Sunset, who he prepared to win the 3YO Trotting Fillies Oceania El Dorado in the 1990s.

He still trains a few horses at his Junortoun property and in May he prepared Kidwithagrin to win on his home track at Lord’s Raceway.

Pratt’s support to trainers and drivers and in his role of clerk of the course is arguably what he’s best loved for.

He was clerk of the course for 52 years at Lord’s Raceway where his horsemanship was admired by everyone across the industry.

Bendigo Harness Racing Club general manager Erik Hendrix said Pratt was a worthy winner of the award.

“He’s a genuine, humble man and the Rothacker Medal is well-deserved for his years of service to the industry in so many different avenues,” Hendrix said.

“From a club point of view, we’re so happy that a local, especially someone of Keith’s status, has won the award.”

Pratt’s biggest supporter in his career in harness racing was his wife, Barbara, who sadly passed away last year.

Hendrix said Pratt’s honour would be well received by all participants in the close-knit central Victorian harness racing community.

“The people who win these awards are the type of people who’ve touched everyone in the harness racing community,” Hendrix said.

“Everyone in the region has probably had some sort of association with Keith in his career.”

Hendrix said Pratt’s most recent training win at Lord’s Raceway was one of the hightlights of 2021.

“It was great to see that he’s still got it,” Hendrix said of Pratt.

“There was plenty of excitement around the win, particularly with Keith’s granddaughter Tayla helping him around the stable. They work very closely and to see the joy of producing a winner that night was fantastic.”

The Gordon Rothacker Medal is awarded to industry participants who meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Contribution to harness racing in Victoria (past and present);
• Length of industry involvement;
• Held (voluntary or paid) key positions within the industry;
• Demonstrated excellence within a chosen field;
• Significant personal achievement;
• Service as a role model/mentor;
• Integrity.

Published by the Bendigo Advertiser