2007 Queensland Hall of Fame

Queensland Racing Hall of Fame Inductee – Larry Olsen

After starting as an apprentice in Brisbane with Mal Barnes in 1963, Larry Olsen faced a constant battle with his weight, retiring from and returning to the saddle no fewer than five times. The greatest of those comebacks was when he gave up dairy farming, where his weight got to 80 kilograms, to make a comeback that saw him weigh in at 49 kilograms to ride Kensei to victory in the 1987 Melbourne Cup. Larry rode a total of 24 Group 1 winners, which for a jockey plagued by weight problems and not tied to a major stable, was a remarkable effort.

Queensland Racing Hall of Fame Inductee – Tails

The big chestnut stallion recorded 23 wins, including 14 Stakes races, six at Group 1 level. Tails was one of Australia’s most consistent stayers in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Even though he never won at two miles, he was able to run third to Silver Night in the 1971 Melbourne Cup and second to Mode in 1972 Brisbane Cup. His Group 1 victories included the Queensland Derby, AJC Metropolitan twice, Doomben Cup, STC Tancred Cup and the AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes.