Jockey Blake Shinn wins his third Scobie Breasley Medal over premiership winner Damian Lane

An outstanding second half of the season gave Blake Shinn his third Scobie Breasley Medal victory in an enthralling battle with Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership winner Damian Lane.

Star jockey Blake Shinn celebrated his third Scobie Breasley Medal win on Saturday night. Picture: Racing Photos

A season-long battle with Melbourne jockeys’ premiership winner Damian Lane brought out the best in Scobie Breasley Medallist Blake Shinn.

Shinn was crowned as the Scobie Breasley Medallist for the third time and for the second successive year at a ceremony in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Stewards lodged the Scobie Breasley medal votes on a 3-2-1 basis for the best rides, irrespective of their placing, at every Melbourne metropolitan meeting throughout the season.

Lane led by 14 votes at the halfway point of the season but Shinn produced an outstanding final six months to notch 72 votes, giving him a four-vote win.

Shinn said he simply wanted to ride at his best at every meeting, whether he was in Melbourne or riding at important interstate carnivals throughout.

Jockey Blake Shinn with fellow jockey Craig Williams after Saturday night's Scobie Breasley Medal. Picture: Racing Photos

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He added he enjoyed the battle with Lane but the latter continued to respond to every challenge in the premiership race.

“It was a great challenge,” Shinn said.

“I fought all the way to the end. Whether I won the premiership or not, I wanted to give my best right through to the end.”

“Full credit to Damian. He’s a world-class rider.

“Every time I seemed to come at him he lifted the bar and rode another winner.

“I’ve got great respect for him. I didn’t expect to be standing here tonight but it’s a great honour.”

Young Calf x The Bull#VicRacingAwardspic.twitter.com/Rpjv49P3AK

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) August 11, 2024

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Shinn credited the team behind him, his manager Liam Prior and former top jockey Steven Arnold, who had been advising him on aspects of his riding in recent months.

He also said his new partner, Cranbourne trainer Lucy Yeomans, had played a significant role in his latest Scobie Breasley Medal triumph.

“Some great past champions have won the award,“ Shinn said.

“Winning doesn’t come without a lot of sacrifice and hard work with me putting everything into my job and I feel I do that.

“It’s great recognition and very humbling.”

Congrats Jaylah Kennedy (VJA Rising Star) and Damian Lane (VJA Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey) 🤩

These two awards were voted by all our Victorian riders. #VicRacingAwardspic.twitter.com/sATZ1lr3HC

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) August 10, 2024

Lane was officially crowned as both the premier metropolitan and provincial jockey for the season, becoming the first rider to win both titles since Luke Nolen in 2009/10.

Lane also became the first jockey to receive the newly-named Damien Oliver Medal as most valuable jockey of the season as voted by his fellow riders.

Oliver drew a standing ovation from the room before Lane said he was thrilled to receive the award named after the man who was his idol growing up and with whom he later developed a friendship.

Anthony & Sam Freedman win the inaugural Most Outstanding Training Performance with Without A Fight 🏇#VicRacingAwardspic.twitter.com/OO0nuJQupj

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) August 10, 2024

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Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double winner Without A Fight was named Victorian Racehorse of the Year from Imperatriz and Pride Of Jenni.

Without A Fight polled 66 votes from Imperatriz (60) and Pride Of Jenni (41).

Cups winners Anthony and Sam Freedman were feted for the Most Outstanding Training Performance (Without A Fight), while Sam also received the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award (best trainer under 40).

Originally published as Jockey Blake Shinn wins his third Scobie Breasley Medal over premiership winner Damian Lane