Family and friends gather to remember legendary Hall of Fame jockey Geoff Lane

Family and friends have gathered to celebrate the life of racing’s golden boy — Geoff Lane.

FAMILY and friends have gathered to celebrate the life of racing’s golden boy — Geoff Lane.

The legendary former jockey has been remembered as a skilled and humble hoop, hard worker, kind soul and a funny character who was sometimes immature for his age.

Those closest to Lane, who died at the age of 80 of kidney failure last week, gathered at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Wednesday and traded stories about a life documented in numerous scrap books of newspaper articles that flanked the room beside his famous whips, medals, photo and Australian Racing Hall of Fame certificate.

“He was an amazing jockey, awesome trainer and just a great human being,” Son Sam Lane said.

“We will miss him terribly but we have some fantastic memories to last us for the rest of our lives.

Geoff Lane at Caulfield racecourse.

“Dad had an incredible life and fitted in so much in 80 years that we should all be jealous.

“If we can take something out of dad’s life and how he lived it we will all be doing well.

“Dad was always chirpy, happy, smiley, funny, a jokester, prankster and very immature for his age.”

Lane is still considered to be one of the best apprentices to ever ride in Australia, outriding his claim in a year and winning five straight apprentice premierships in Victoria before winning the jockeys premiership at 18-years-of-age while riding against the likes of established champions Bill Williamson, Jack Purtell and Ron Hutchinson.

AMAZING OFFER: GET A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A 8.0 WITH THIS BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION (T & Cs apply)

It was part of a career that took him to Germany, Hong Kong and the Gold Coast, enjoying stints as an administrator, trainer and steward.

His big race wins included the 1961 Cox Plate aboard Dhaulagiri, three Victoria Derbies, three VRC Oaks and three VRC St Legers, along with the AJC Oaks, the Caulfield Guineas, two Toorak Handicaps, three Caulfield Stakes and four Memsie Stakes.

Lane served as a steward at Gold Coast for 10 years and Sam Lane said he still glimpsed down at the track, expecting to see his father coming around the home bend or in the tower at the 400m mark.

ormer jockey Geoff Lane at The Gold Coast Turf Club.

“That was dad’s tower. When he worked here on a Saturday that was his position and he loved it. Every time you visit the Gold Coast Turf Club, face that 400m stand and say g’day,” Lane said to those in attendance.

In an emotional speech, Geoff Lane’s youngest daughter Natasha, the sister of Sam and Samantha, said one story epitomised the kindness in Lane’s heart.

“To many dad was a racing personality and a friend but to me dad was just my dad,” she said.

“He was the best father a girl could have ever asked for. He was kind, generous and the example of what a person should and could be if they put their mind to it.

“My favourite story about dad showed how kind he was. He would save every insect we found.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly

“He would put it on a piece of paper and say to me ‘it has a family to go to, we have to save it’

“That kindness is how dad lived his life everyday.”

For all his talents and feats, Lane was a hopeless handyman around the house. He would regularly get his neighbour to come over to solve problems before returning to wife Joanni with a cheeky grin saying “we fixed it”.

Kenny Kwok worked alongside Lane as steward at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and said he was a pioneer who had left a huge legacy.

“He is considered to be one of the most important people in the development of racing there,” Kwok said.

Racehorse Fileur being ridden by jockey Geoff Lane during trackwork 04 Sep. 1968. He appeared to be airborne while working out with Summer Locke being ridden by Winston Parks. (Copyright Herald-Sun Photograph)

“He was one of the first professional jockeys with a big name to come when the club transformed into a professional racing organisation.

“He was a pioneer and helped raise the credibility of Hong Kong racing.

“Four of his winners as a trainer were for my family. What he achieved in Hong Kong was unprecedented and I don’t see anyone repeating it.

“The nickname of ‘Golden Boy Lane’ still in minds of those in racing at Hong Kong.

“He will always remembered as a true gentleman and his legacy will never be forgotten.”

Current GCTC racing manager Ian Brown spent five years working alongside Lane as a steward for Racing Queensland where he came to learn of Lane’s history while their two families built a close bond.

Geoff Lane (second from the left) with Gold Coast racing officials, including Ian Brown (far right) and the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Supplied.

“Being born after his greatest accomplishments, I had to hear about them from him and no doubt some of them grew legs with the years,” Brown said.

“On more than one occasion memorabilia came into the stewards room including a shirt of (musician) Sammy Davis Jr, an article about the time he spent a night with The Beatles and a signed photo by Frank Sinatra.

“As Geoff told it, it was only after Sinatra asked him for his signed photo. But my best memories are driving to race meetings and Geoff loved sitting in the back of the car.

“He loved it so much I got the nickname Andy. Anyone that knows Geoff knows his chauffeur in Hong Kong was named Andy.

“To play on the words of Sinatra, if only we could have all done it his way.”

In Lane’s words, it is just bye for now and he’ll see you later.