Scobie Breasley dies at 92

Born in Wagga Wagga (NSW) in 1914, Arthur "Scobie" Breasley was born to be a jockey and commenced his career at age 12. He earned his nickname from famous trainer James Scobie and rode his first Melbourne winner in 1928.

He won four Caulfield Cups in succession between 1942 and 1945 and later returned from a trip to England to record a fifth win in the race in 1952. Breasley established a huge reputation during a stellar career in the UK. He won the English Jockeys' Premiership four times and his career total of 3,251 winners included more than 2,000 in England.

He won two English Derbies (1964-66) and also won the 1958 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. Breasley had his last ride in 1968 and took up training before returning to Melbourne to live in his retirement.

Breasley was immortalised with the naming by Racing Victoria of the Scobie Breasley Medal, awarded each year since 1996 to Victoria's outstanding jockey.

Racing Victoria Chairman Graham Duff said Breasley’s death was a sad loss for racing.

“Scobie was one of racing’s true treasures and he will be sadly missed by all involved in racing
industry.” Duff said.

“He blazed a trail of success overseas that many present-day riders are trying to emulate and because of that he has always been a tremendous ambassador for Australian racing.”

Australian Racing Hall Of Fame Chairman Bryan Martin expressed his sadness for the loss of a man he described as “the greatest ever ambassador for Australian racing”.

“The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is deeply saddened by the passing of our Patron and one of our inaugural inductees,” Martin said.

“Scobie was a great ambassador for the Hall of Fame and Australian racing in general. His zest for life will be deeply missed.”

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