Song written in honour of turf legend Subzero

ONLY the most famous of Australian sporting icons have songs written about them. Now a former racehorse, a legend of the turf, has a song in his honour.

Melbourne Cup winner Subzero at Flemington to promote 150 year anniversary in 2014. Owner Graham Salisbury with form Melbourne Cup winner Subzero raising a smile for the camera in the mounting enclosure at Flemington. Photo David Caird

ONLY the most famous of Australian sporting icons have songs written about them.

The hit of the 1930s generations was Our Don Bradman when the master batsman took the cricket world by storm.

Roy Cazaly was a high-flying champion footballer for South Melbourne and St Kilda but he became immortal as the image of the AFL only when Up There Cazaly was penned.

Now a former racehorse, a legend of the turf and one of the most recognisable identities in the caper, has a song in his honour.

Subzero, or “Subbie” as he is universally known, is now aged 26, but belatedly he is receiving his richly deserved accolade.

Not only did he win the 1992 Melbourne Cup, he has since been one of racing’s greatest ambassadors.

He has performed with actor Hugh Jackman and met prime ministers, sheikhs and even pop star Kylie Minogue.

He has helped raise more than $10 million for charity, and has made a difference by visiting the ill and lonely and educating schoolchildren.

Subzero, with jockey Greg Hall, on his way to winning the 1992 Melbourne Cup.

He is a regular invitee at religious ceremonies, schools, hospitals, weddings and funerals.

The famous grey has a line of products to his name — cooler bags, hats, T-shirts, and drink bottles. And now a song.

The song should have hit the airwaves two decades ago after he won the Cup for trainer Lee Freedman and veteran jockey Greg Hall.

However, as his master Graham Salisbury explains, it is better late than never.

“A bloke came to my Flemington stables not long after Subbie won the Melbourne Cup, sat on the fence with his guitar and sang the song. I thought it was terrific but I lost the tape he gave me. However, I still had the words.

The people’s champion with Graham Salisbury.

“So recently I rang a friend, Terry Dean, and he listened to it and within three weeks he had recorded it and put it on disc.

“David Kobritz, one of the original owners of Subbie, paid for 1000 discs and all the packaging came free,” Salisbury said.

Salisbury wanted Subbie’s link to children and racing to continue in a tangible way.

“I’d decided that half the proceeds would go to the Royal Children’s Hospital and the other half to the National Jockeys’ Trust. We’ve already sold 400 at $10 each in just a couple of weeks,” Salisbury said.

“He does so much charity work as well as attending 110 schools and 35 old people’s homes each year.

“He is just a legend to everyone.”

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GREY COURAGE (A Subzero swan song)

I won’t care if he misses out

In this, — his final race,

For in the heart of this young bloke,

He’ll always have a place,

A place reserved for horses

That have given me a thrill.

The past is not for living in,

But just for now I will,

Standing in the Members

On that rainy afternoon,

I wondered whether Greggy Hall

Had gone for home too soon,

I knew he’d get the distance,

I knew he liked the wet.

His efforts down in Adelaide

Were too good to forget,

But now that wouldn’t stop the field

From boldly giving chase

In Australia’s greatest staying test.

The country’s biggest race,

As they passed the famous clock-tower,

My ticker missed a tick.·

The straight seemed like eternity,

I called for him to kick!

And kick he did, — the post arrived

And Hally’s whip was up,

And so were many punters, —

It was Subbie’s Melbourne Cup!

Racing moments such as this

Will never fade away,

His courage gave me spirit

Which is still alive today.

For in the heart of this young bloke,

He’ll always be a hero.

And I’ll proudly tell my children

Of the mighty grey, - “Subzero”

— JASON “RUPERT” McCALL

SONGS OF SPORTING ICONS

Our Don Bradman

Up There Cazaly

Shane Warne by Paul Kelly

King of the kids: 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero visiting a primary school.