Queensland is set to host the Sportsbet 2025 Australian Racing Hall of Fame and the Australian Racehorse of the Year.
The star-studded dual event promises to be a ceremony etched in history as a stellar line-up of inductees will be honoured, and the Sportsbet Champion Racehorse of the Year will be announced on Sunday, August 31 at The Star in Brisbane.
In an illustrious career spanning over six decades in Australian racing, the iconic and much loved ‘voice of racing’ John Tapp will be inducted as one of the greats of the racing industry in the Associate category.
Tapp’s 33 years at the microphone and his rich contribution beyond race calling in his three decades-long media career has made him one of the greatest story tellers and historians of our generation.
Tappy as he is affectionately known, will be honoured for his enduring excellence, utmost dedication to his craft and his ability to bring the magic of racing into our homes.
Queensland’s own Peter Moody, the mastermind trainer behind Black Caviar and many more equine greats will be celebrated for a career built on resilience and brilliance, carving a legacy as one of Australia’s greatest modern-day racing minds.
Growing up in the bush and working his way through the ranks to reach international stardom with Black Caviar, Moody has also guided many champions to greatness including his multiple group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy, Dissident and most recently, superstar stayer, Incentivise.
“Induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame acknowledges equine and human heroes of the turf who have achieved greatness throughout their careers,” Racing Australia CEO Paul Eriksson said.
“We are thrilled to honour the greats both past and present on what will be a very momentous occasion and look forward to seeing you in Brisbane.”
The brilliant master tactician, jockey Zac Purton earns a most deserving place in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Purton’s outstanding riding career, from the early days of winning the Sydney Jockeys’ title in 2003/04 to the pinnacle of Hong Kong racing where he has now amassed seven Jockey Premierships - has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In the Thoroughbred category, champions Mahogany and Hydrogen will be the latest inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Mahogany, trained by the legendary Lee Freedman was undoubtedly one of the most gifted and consistent thoroughbreds to grace the Australian turf in the 1990s.
Capturing the Victoria Derby, the Australian and Queensland Derbies as a three-year-old, the remarkable treble stamped him as a classic star who went on to reinvent himself later in his career as a sprinter claiming victories in the Lightning stakes and the George Ryder.
A Dual Cox Plate winner, Hydrogen was a towering presence in the 1950s whose name became synonymous with toughness and true staying power.
Hydrogen, a crowd favourite competed fiercely against the likes of Tulloch and truly cemented his name among the greats. Etching his name in history, his legacy burns brightly more than half a century on.
Australian Racing Hall of Fame Committee Chair Jason Scott summed up the sentiments of the judging panel perfectly on what will be a very special ceremony.
"The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is a testament to those who achieved the pinnacle in the sport, and the calibre of this year's inductees is nothing short of remarkable,” Mr Scott said.
“Mahogany as an eight-time Group 1 winner sits in the top echelon of Australia's modern-day greats, and dual Cox Plate champion Hydrogen is recognised as one of our most versatile thoroughbreds, winning anywhere from six furlongs to two miles.
“Zac Purton is still to this day breaking records both at home and abroard in Hong Kong where he now reigns supreme as the jurisdiction's most successful hoop in terms of outright wins claiming a total of seven jockey premierships.
“It's fitting that in a year where the Sunshine State will host the evening, we induct one of Queensland's finest in Peter Moody, alongside one of the sport's most iconic broadcasters and recognisable voices in John Tapp.
"On behalf of the Hall of Fame Committee, I look forward to celebrating the outstanding careers of our esteemed inductees at the Australian Racehorse of the Year gala luncheon at the Star Brisbane on August 31.”
Sportsbet’s Chief Commercial Officer Nathan Arundell said they are thrilled to be the major sponsor of the 2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards.
“It promises to be a spectacular evening celebrating the very best in Australian racing,” he said.
“We’re proud to support racing across Australia and look forward to acknowledging the 2024/25 Hall of Fame and Legends class.”
The list of 2025 inductees:
Name | Category |
HYDROGEN | Horse |
MAHOGANY | Horse |
PETER MOODY | Trainer |
ZAC PURTON | Jockey |
JOHN TAPP | Associate |
An announcement on who will be elevated to “Legend” status will be made early next week.
This year’s Sportsbet 2025 Australian Racing Hall of Fame ceremony will be run in conjunction with the Australian Racehorse of the year. The event will run in an afternoon time slot from 12:30pm – 5:30pm.
Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.
