Australian Racing Legend Pat Hyland Passes Away at 84
The Australian racing community is in mourning following the death of legendary jockey and successful trainer Pat Hyland. The 84-year-old passed away peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his family, including his beloved wife Maree, children, and grandchildren.
A Hall of Fame Career
Inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2016, Pat Hyland was one of only eight jockeys in history to achieve the grand slam of Australian racing. This remarkable feat includes victories in the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Golden Slipper.
His career began with major success in the 1963 Victoria Derby. Hyland then dominated with three consecutive Australian Cup wins at Flemington from 1964 to 1966. In 1965, he added the Cox Plate to his accolades, riding Star Affair to victory.
Overcoming Adversity
In 1969, Hyland claimed the Golden Slipper at Rosehill aboard the champion sprinter Vain, securing 12 wins from 14 starts. However, his career faced a significant setback in 1984 when shoulder and collarbone injuries threatened to force his retirement at age 43.
"The doctors had given me no hope of ever riding again," Hyland recalled at the time. "With the help of those doctors and my wife, I was put back together. We are back now and back on top."
His resilience paid off when he bounced back to win the Caulfield Cup with Affinity, defying medical expectations.
Crowning Achievement
Hyland's crowning achievement came in 1985 when he won the first $1 million Melbourne Cup aboard What A Nuisance. The historic victory occurred in front of then Prince Charles and Princess Diana, cementing his legacy in racing history.
He retired from riding five years later and transitioned to training, where he continued to find success. His first notable horse as a trainer was Saleous, winner of the 1995 VRC Oaks. Hyland also achieved Group 1 success with horses like Zarita and Bonaria.
Family Legacy and Final Years
In his later years, Hyland scaled back his training team and joined his son Chris at the start of the 2018-19 season. He officially retired earlier this month due to ill health.
"He rode trackwork until he was 74 and then he slowed down a little bit in the last few years," Chris said in 2020. "He's had a few little health issues, but overall he's not too bad at the moment."
The family released a statement through Racing Victoria, saying: "Pat passed away peacefully today. He was surrounded by all of his kids and grandkids and with his beloved wife Maree by his side. He was deeply loved to the end and will be sadly missed by us all."
His son Sam shared a collection of photos with a brief tribute, writing: "Great dad that lived a wonderful life."
Pat Hyland's legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics and awards. He is remembered as a resilient competitor who overcame serious injuries, a dedicated family man, and a true icon of Australian horse racing whose contributions will be cherished for generations.
