Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst

Owner-breeder Mike Hirst gifted shares in Jimmy The Bear to some former footy teammates, and when stuck on a name his wife came up with the perfect suggestion.

Jimmy The Bear has more than made up for suburban football silverware missed as Frankston YCW past players Mike Hirst, Jimmy Bruin and Nick “the Bear” Wright enjoy an ownership dream.

Former Racing Victoria chairman Hirst, a passionate owner-breeder, gifted five per-cent shares in Jimmy The Bear to ex-Stonecats Bruin and Wright as an excuse to catch up at country race meetings.

Stuck on a name for the home-bred Jimmy Creed gelding, now a $1.35m earner, Hirst’s partner Lizzie Sweetnam floated the Frankston YCW backline tribute.

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“Lizzie said you could call (the horse) Jimmy The Bear and give them both a share each,” Hirst said.

“We said (at the time) it would be great just to drive around country Victoria catching up and having a good time … his first two runs were in the country and he’s barely been back since.”

Hirst played fullback, with resting ruckman Bruin and converted rover Wright in the pockets.

The trio won an U17 premiership in 1974 but lost senior Mornington Peninsula grand finals to Pines, Crib Point and Bonbeach in quick succession.

Wright earned the nickname “the Bear” as he could often be found asleep on massage tables after post-game ales in the Stonecats’ clubroom.

Mike Hirst named Jimmy The Bear after Frankston YCW teammates. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“Everyone knows him as ‘the Bear’, he’s been known as the Bear for 40 years,” Hirst laughed.

“He’d always start work early, by the time 10pm came around on a Saturday he was pretty buggered so he’d go out and lay on the trainers’ table and we’d wake him up at 1am wanting to go home.

“The koala bear … he spent all his time sleeping.”

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Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, has won 12 of 39 starts and placed 10 times.

The six-year-old has dominated middle distance ranks this campaign, with four wins including the Listed Winter Championship Series Final and two second places.

Jimmy The Bear is $1.60 favourite to add to the tally on Saturday in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) at Caulfield.

Jimmy The Bear has not raced beyond 2000m before but a win would tip another $126,000 into the prizemoney kitty, including the $30,000 VOBIS bonus.

Nick “the Bear” Wright, Mike Hirst, Jimmy Bruin at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Jimmy The Bear has to date earned Bruin and Wright about $70,000 apiece in prizemoney.

“For Hirsty to make us part of that and Lizzie named the horse, it’s just wonderful,” Wright said.

“Originally we were going to go out to the country meetings … we thought better celebrate with a couple owners than only one owner, but he turned out to be a bit better than that.

“Absolutely thrilled, we’re bloody rapt, very generous of him.”

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Wright played alongside Hirst since U12s through to senior Stonecats ranks.

“Jimmy was the resting ruckman at that stage, because of my size, I started out roving but went to back pocket,” Wright said.

“I thought it was a lot easier, not as much running, alongside Hirsty, fullback all the time, it was a good combination.”

The good combination has continued on Melbourne racecourses these days and winner’s bars.

Originally published as Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst