Bligh Government pays tribute to an Australian horse racing icon
Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 09 2009
2009 >>

Minister for Racing, Peter Lawlor has today recognised the late Bruce McLachlan as a true Queenslander and an Australian horse racing icon.

The memorial service for Bruce McLachlan was held today after he sadly passed away last Tuesday aged 67 and is survived by wife Lorraine and sons Ian, Grant and Jason.

Mr Lawlor said Bruce, the son of a hard working shearer, rose from very humble beginnings and was a born battler.

“It was during his time as a Police Officer in Mt Isa where he caught not only the bug for training but also his wife Lorraine,” Mr Lawlor said.

Following his time in Mt Isa, Bruce moved with Lorraine to Cribb Island, which was later reclaimed for the Brisbane Airport.

“It was at Cribb Island where he showed his true Queensland battler qualities hand building his stables and establishing his training operations.”

Mr Lawlor said he then moved around from Ipswich to Eagle Farm before building a private training complex Thornhill Park at Caboolture.

“In 2004 he moved to Caloundra and set up McLachlan Place, opposite Corbould Park racecourse.

“Bruce is recognised as one of the first 'modern' trainers in Queensland with a large string of horses and some of Australia's biggest businessmen as owners.

“He was not pretentious – he was as at home rubbing shoulders with Australia’s richest as he was enjoying a beer and a pie with punters at the track,” Mr Lawlor said.

“He campaigned horses at all the major racing carnivals, having satellite stables in both Melbourne and Sydney at various times.

“His hard word and dedication resulted in significant track success having only this year trained the Golden Slipper & Magic Millions winner Phelan Ready.

“His other Group 1 winners include Planet Ruler, With Me, St Jude, Chortle, Sublimate, Picaday, Al Mansour & Virage de Fortune.”

Mr Lawlor said Bruce trained three Magic Millions winners: Phelan Ready, St Jude & Our Fiction.

“Bruce’s racing acumen didn’t end there. He won 16 Brisbane trainer's premierships (1st premiership in 78/79) and trained more than 3000 winners,” Mr Lawlor said.

“He was an inaugural member of the Queensland Racing Hall Of Fame and has been nominated for the Australian Hall of Fame.

“However his proudest racing moments have come most recently when he established a very successful racing partnership with his son Jason.

“My thoughts and best wishes are with Bruce’s family, the ‘Big Man’ of Queensland and Australian racing will be sorely missed.”

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 3:03 PM