Australian legend Breasley dies at 92

By J A McGrath

Last Updated: 1:43am GMT 21/12/2006

Scobie Breasley, the legendary Australian jockey who won two Epsom Derbys, died in Melbourne early today. He was 92.

Breasley, one of the first elected to the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame, came to Britain in the early Fifties, and over the next half-century became one of his country's best-loved ambassadors. He was four times champion jockey of Britain.

One of the finest exponents of the art of race-riding, with his expert horsemanship and precise timing, he proved a formidable rival to the great Gordon Richards and, in the latter half of his career, the up-and-coming Lester Piggott.

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But Breasley, who was born in the New South Wales country town of Wagga Wagga, had to wait until he had turned 50 to win the Epsom Derby – aboard Santa Claus in 1964 – and then he followed up two years later, winning the same Classic aboard Charlottown in 1966.

Breasley won the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe aboard Ballymoss in 1958, with that horse's trainer, the legendary Vincent O'Brien, declaring the Australian the best riding talent he had ever engaged.

Christened Arthur Edward, in his youth he was handed the nickname 'Scobie,' after the great Australian trainer James Scobie, and it stuck. He rode a total of 3,251 winners during his long career, including 2,161 in Britain.

He rode at least 100 winners every year in Britain, from 1955 to 1964. In Australia, he won the famous Caulfield Cup five times – but it remained a sore point that he never won his country's biggest race, the Melbourne Cup, despite many attempts.

He suffered a stroke on Monday and reportedly died in hospital earlier today. His wife May died several years ago, and Breasley's daughter, Loretta, cared for him in his latter years.

Daily Telegraph.

One of the VERY best never to win a Melbourne Cup. RIP