Vo Rogue inducted into Hall of Fame

It's taken nearly 30 years since he last raced but Queensland marvel Vo Rogue has finally made it into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.

Racing Queensland, the Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame and Racing Australia confirmed on Tuesday that the six-time Group 1 winner, who thrilled crowds in the late '80s with his front-running feats, is one of 10 inductees.

The inductions will take place on Friday night at a special function in Brisbane.

A two-time Australian Cup winner, Vo Rogue electrified crowds across the nation like few before - or since - with his catch-me-if-you-can brand of racing.

After a modest start to his racing career, the bay gelding went on a three-year tear as he secured 20 wins at Group 1 and Group 2 level including a Futurity Stakes, three Orr Stakes, two Turnbull Stakes, two Blamey Stakes and two St George Stakes.

In all, Vo Rogue recorded 26 wins and 23 placings from 83 starts.

Magnificent dual-hemisphere performer So You Think, Balmerino and Hall Mark were the other horses to be inducted this year, while Hugh Bowman and retired champion Brent Thomson were recognised for their feats in the saddle.

Bowman, of course, partnered Winx to her world record accomplishments while Thomson was a four-time Cox Plate winner who also made his mark in Europe when, among other feats, he rode for Queen Elizabeth.

Leading trainers Des McCormick and John Meagher will also be inducted.

Former VRC chairman of stewards, Pat Lalor, and the Queensland-based Williams brothers, Sir Edward and Sir Sydney, round out the class of 2019.

Vo Rogue's rider Cyril Small paid tribute to the former crowd pleaser.

"He had a big heart and just had a lot of natural ability," he said.

"His front-running tactics sparked people up … I think racing needed that at the time."

While Bowman's name will be forever linked with Winx, the 38-year-old has long been regarded as one of the world's best riders and boasts 88 Group 1 wins across Australia, Hong Kong and Japan.

A four-time Cox Plate winner in his own right, Bowman was awarded the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2017 after scoring in 10 of the top-100 races across the globe.

Bowman was also aboard So You Think, a fellow 2019 inductee, when the 10-time Group 1 winner secured his first black-type win in the 2009 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill.

"It's an absolute privilege and more than a bit humbling," Bowman said.

"To be honest, off the back of the emotional rollercoaster with Winx, who has played such a significant part of my time as a professional jockey, it's hard to put into words.

"Along with Winx, I've enjoyed a significant amount of international success and that doesn't come without sacrifices by myself and my family."

The Williams brothers' legacy lives on in far north Queensland with Sir Sydney the driving force behind the two-day Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival which continues to thrive to this day.

And Sir Edward was also a major contributor to the success of the Cairns Amateurs, having served as Chairman of the Queensland Turf Club from 1980 to 1991 and sat on the committee from 1966 to 1993.

2019 Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame Inductees:

Horses:

• Balmerino (1972);

• Hall Mark (1930);

• So You Think (2006); and

• Vo Rogue (1983).

Jockeys:

• Brent Thomson; and

• Hugh Bowman.

Trainers:

• Des McCormick; and

• John Meagher.

Associates:

• Lloyd Patrick (Pat) Lalor; and

• Sir Edward Williams and Sir Sydney Williams.