North Burnett sends tributes to Jack Murray ahead of funeral

The North Burnett racing community is mourning the passing of trackside stalwart Jack Murray. Read the moving tributes here.

Jack Murray loved the colour and glamour of Fashions on the Field.

Tributes for North Burnett racing identity Jack Murray recall a gentleman of the track who was generous with his tips.

Jack passed away on February 14 at the age of 94.

Jack’s son Lyle Murray, president of the Eidsvold Racing Club of which Jack was a life member and patron, spoke to the Bundaberg NewsMail about the much-beloved stalwart of the North Burnett racing community.

“He was different to everyone else,” Lyle said.

“Not just of his generation - he was different to most people in racing across all generations.”

A passionate supporter of women at the races, Jack loved the colour and glamour of Fashions on the Field, the annual competition showcasing high fashion at racecourses across the country.

“He was very supportive of the ladies,” said Lyle.

“He mentioned all the time how much he enjoyed the Fashions on the Field competition.”

Eidsvold racing personality Jack Murray has been described as “the sweetest man”. Picture: Sam Turner.

Among the outpouring of tributes on Facebook were many comments lamenting the loss of one of life’s “true gentlemen”.

“(Jack) loved to fleece a price and always stuck up for me when the men were picking on me,” Faye Whelan said.

“He will be sadly missed (on) race days.”

Trudy Bryer wrote: “He was the sweetest man. Jack always had beautiful compliments for the ladies and racing tips for the men. His presence will be missed at the track.”

Jack Murray would “have a yarn with whoever he came across”.

Jack was always up for a chat, freely sharing his best racing tips with anyone he met at the races, Lyle said.

“He even told them bad information,” laughed Lyle.

“He’d get around and have a yarn with whoever he came across, even if he didn’t know them from a bar of soap.”

Jack’s dedication to racing was recognised when he received the clubperson/volunteer of the year and Hall of Fame participant award at the 2020 On The Bit Country Racing Awards.

“He lived and breathed racing for around 80 years,” Lyle said.

Jack took over thoroughbred breeding and training at Jamaica Park, the Murray family stables, from his father Percy in 1974.

Among the many champion horses trained by Jack were Inisfree - the 1978 winner of the Stradbroke handicap - and Jamaica Flyer - a winner of 23 races in Rockhampton through the mid-1970s.

Jack’s influence on racing in the North Burnett lives on through his Lyle and other son Bob, who is also a renowned local horse trainer.

Jack will be farewelled at a ceremony at Eidsvold Racecourse on Friday, March 3 at 10am.

A guard of honour will be formed at Eidsvold Cemetery following the funeral.

All people interested in racing are welcome to take part.