Racing has lost one of it’s true champions with the passing of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Ray Selkrig OAM
Ray Selkrig was a gentleman first and a great rider second, despite winning the 1961 Melbourne Cup and 34 more Group 1 races, and the Australian racing industry is much the poorer for his passing.
Champion hoop Ray Selkrig OAM, a 35-time Group 1 hero and Melbourne Cup winner, has died.
Selkrig, 93, passed away on Thursday afternoon after a long battle with illness and will be honoured with jockeys to wear black armbands at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The former star rider enjoyed a storied career that included winning the 1961 Melbourne Cup aboard Lord Fury, leading all the way to win the world famous two-mile event.
He piloted more than 1800 winners including four AJC (Australian) Derbies aboard Prince Delville (1954), Royal Sovereign (1964), Swift Peter (1967) and Gold Brick (1972).
Selkrig also took out the 1958-59 Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership beating the legendary Neville Sellwood before finishing runner-up the following two seasons.
Fellow champion jockey Ron Quinton paid tribute to his contemporary on Friday.
“He was a big race winner,” Quinton said.
“He won four Australian Derbies and won one on a horse called Royal Sovereign, which won three Derbies in a year, so he was a bit of Derby specialist.
“While he wasn’t very tall, he was very strong in the finish. There’s no question he was a champion of that era and a good family man.
“His wife Pat was one of his greatest supporters and I got to share the jockeys’ room with him for a long time.”
Selkrig was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2018 for his service to the Australian racing industry in a range of roles.
Racing NSW chief executive, Peter V’landys AM will remember Selkrig as one of the sports good guys.
“Ray wasn’t only a champion jockey but a champion human being,” he said.
“I will always remember his most welcoming and mischievous smile, and his friendliness to everyone.
“Sadly, our industry has lost one it’s favourite people, however, his achievements will remain with us forever.”
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) issued a statement on hearing the sad news of the passing of the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.
“Ray is fondly remembered for his ride in the 1961 Melbourne Cup aboard Lord Fury, who led from start to finish in Australia’s greatest staying race,” the VRC statement said.
“Lord Fury is one of only three horses to lead the whole way and win the race that stops a nation, later joined by Might and Power in 1997 and Twilight Payment in 2020.”
His first ride in Melbourne was in the 1948 Melbourne Cup as an apprentice, beginning a great association with Flemington.
He rode Royal Sovereign to victory in the 1963 Victoria Derby and they went on to win the Queensland Derby and AJC Derby together.
His idol growing up was three-time Melbourne Cup winning-jockey Darby Munro.
Highly regarded by the racing fraternity across Australia, in 2013 Ray joined the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour as an ambassador and partnered the three-handled trophy to local communities throughout New South Wales.
A frequent visitor to Flemington during Cup Week, Ray’s dry wit and ability to tell his story always captivated an audience.
He was a devoted husband and family man who will be missed by all within the racing industry.
VRC Chief Executive Steve Rosich extended his condolences on behalf of the club.
“Ray was a great ambassador for racing and will always be a part of Melbourne Cup history for his daring front-running ride aboard Lord Fury,” Mr Rosich said.
“He will be remembered for being a top-class jockey and a mentor for many on their way through the riding ranks.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to Ray’s family and friends.”
Ray Selkrig is survived by his wife Pat and wider family.
The VRC is saddened to hear of the passing of 1961 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Ray Selkrig OAM. Ray is fondly remembered for his ride in the 1961 Melbourne Cup aboard Lord Fury, who led from start to finish in Australia’s greatest staying race.
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) June 30, 2023
Read: https://t.co/g1rJDicqbEpic.twitter.com/yjTdhim1vI
Sad news today with the passing of legendary jockey Ray Selkrig. Won the 1961 Melb Cup with a great ride on Lord Fury. Won 4 AJC Derbies (incl Royal Sovereign pictured) and a Sydney Jockey Premiership 1958/59. Our thoughts are with family. pic.twitter.com/fnsXO1pNUG
— NSW Jockeys (@nswjockeys) June 29, 2023
Ray Selkrig in a very unfortunate incident in Sydney 1973.
— Bryan Martin OAM (@bmracingclub) June 29, 2023
Ray has passed away https://t.co/woqeB4I4N8 rider multiple derby wins and his Melbourne Cup all the way win in 1961 on Lord Fury at 20/1 for Frank Lewis places him in Cup folklore.Lovely man, great character #RIPRaypic.twitter.com/rSP9nxZbeB
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Selkrig.
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) June 29, 2023
Highlights in the saddle included four AJC Derbies, Sydney premiership in 58-59 and 1961 Melbourne Cup.
A long-time supporter of the AJC, STC and ATC we offer our condolences to family, friends and the racing community. pic.twitter.com/faoOlYbc12
Happier times for/with Ray Selkrig !
— Anne Munsie (@munsieanne) June 29, 2023
So many memories! pic.twitter.com/jlfx6L3kCe
Originally published as Racing has lost one of it’s true champions with the passing of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Ray Selkrig OAM
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