Gold Coast racing community mourning the death of former jockey and steward Geoff Lane

Gold Coast racing officials are mourning the death of legendary jockey and former steward Geoff Lane.

GOLD Coast racing officials are mourning the death of legendary jockey Geoff Lane.

The Hall of Fame jockey died of kidney failure at the age of 80 on the Gold Coast on Monday.

Lane served as a steward at the Gold Coast Turf Club for 10 years as part of a career in racing that spanned over 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, Joanni, and children, Sam, Samantha and Natasha.

Racehorse Fileur being ridden by jockey Geoff Lane during trackwork 04 Sep 1968. (Copyright Herald-Sun Photograph)

In 2013, Lane was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame after a decorated career spanning almost seven decades.

Having ridden more than 700 winners including the 1961 Cox Plate aboard Dhaulagiri, Lane later enjoyed stints as an administrator, trainer and steward.

His other big race wins included 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.

Geoff Lane (second from the left) with Gold Coast racing officials and the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Supplied.

The wins in the Memsie Stakes, in particular, were a personal highlight as he partnered Lord to victory on each occasion from 1958 to 1961, as were his three wins in the Darwin Cup.

“Dad didn’t even know how to ride a horse,” Sam Lane fondly remembered this afternoon.

“But he made a success out of doing it after starting from scratch.

“He was a well liked and highly respected individual among the racing fraternity — he never forgot a name in racing — and after returning from Hong Kong he was able to continue his passion thanks to the Gold Coast Turf Club.

“It didn’t matter whether it was Sha Tin, the Gold Coast or Beaudesert, he just loved being involved.”

Having been raised in Melbourne, Lane began his apprenticeship in 1953 with Tommy Woodcock, a Hall of Fame member who strapped the great Phar Lap before becoming a leading trainer in his own right.

Upon doing so, he guided Morning Patrol to victory in his first start as a trainer in Hong Kong.

Chairman of the Australian Jockeys Association, Des O’Keeffe, was among those to pay tribute to Lane.

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

“Australia’s jockeys, past and present, are deeply saddened at the passing of a much loved and iconic Hall of Fame jockey in Geoff Lane,” O’Keeffe said.

“The legacy Geoff Lane has left is extraordinary and to Joanni, Sam, Samantha and Natasha, we express our deepest condolences at this very sad time.”

While Lane will be remembered for his incredible contribution to the racing industry, he was also a senior member of the Carbine Club and was an inaugural member of the Vingt Cinq Club.

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

Most of all, however, Lane will be remembered as a loving and loyal family man, having spent the past 60 years alongside Joanni including 52 as husband and wife.

“Geoff Lane was a real flag-bearer for the Australian racing industry in South East Asia,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.

“While many people will remember him for his time in the saddle, it extends well beyond that as an administrator, trainer and steward and he will be sorely missed.”

Racing Queensland extends its condolences to the Lane family following his passing.