Ted hailed a Legend and six inducted into Hall of Fame

Champion trainer and driver Ted Demmler was welcomed into elite company on Saturday night, when he was elevated to a Legend of the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

An adoring audience at Melton Entertainment Park celebrated as Demmler was given the headline honour, only the 11^th Victorian participant, associate or horse to become a Legend.

“I’m truly honoured and privileged to accept this Hall of Fame Legend award,” Demmler said. “I’m so grateful. I want to acknowledge all my owners and especially my staff, who worked for me over the years, and worked hard to allow me to live my dream.

“It was never a job to me, I loved every bit of training and especially driving winners.”

Demmler was hooked on harness racing from age 16 after steering Pelota to his first trial win in 1962, later taking up as a trainer after a stint of national service and setting up at the newly minted Zetland Lodge.

He would top 100 driving wins 15 times, partner Pure Steel to win the 1978 Hunter Cup, capture four Australian titles, and win the 1987 World Driving Championship among a score of achievements.

In 2000 he not only trained Breenys Fella to the Group 1 Victoria Cup, with his son Craig in the sulky, but Demmler also became the first Australasian driver to 3000 winners, an extraordinary career that was recognised on Saturday night.

“I’m very pleased to be joining the top people and horses that are there,” Demmler said.

He joins Gordon Rothacker, Maori’s Idol, George Gath, Globe Derby, Popular Alm, Vin Knight, Bill McKay, Edgar Tatlow, Gammalite and Scotch Notch as Hall of Fame Legends.

Here is his story:

The night also saw the induction of six Victorian harness racing horses, participants or associates into the Hall of Fame, which has swelled to a select 110 members.

The three elevated horses were Bold David, Sinbad Bay and Smoken Up.

Here are their stories:

Outstanding horsmen David Aiken and the late Bob Conroy were also inducted, an honour that celebrated not only their on-track deeds but their much-admired “gentlemen” status off the track.

Here are their stories:

And the night’s final celebration was for Duncan McPherson, who was this year’s inductee as an associate of the Hall of the Fame.

The honour acknowledge McPherson’s unparalleled passion for the sport, which extends across breeding, trotting and philanthropy.

Here is his story:

by Michael Howard, for Harness Racing Victoria