Champion trainer Tony Gollan has been unveiled as one of four new inductees into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame.
To be held as a part of the Queensland Thoroughbred Awards gala lunch on October 12 at The Star Brisbane, the state’s premier trainer will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Michael Pelling (Jockey) and Chief De Beers (Horse).
A fourth inductee will also be announced at the awards ceremony.
Born and raised in Toowoomba, the son of champion local trainer Darryl Gollan commenced his career at age 20 in 1999, claiming his maiden victory thanks to Carbon Shadow at Clifford Park in July of that year.
The trajectory of Gollan’s career changed forever in 2003, with the purchase of a Eureka Stud filly named Temple Spirit, who would go on to win eight races and over $130,000 in prize money for the up-and-coming trainer.
However, it was her first two progeny – Temple Of Boom and Spirit Of Boom – that launched the Gollan name into stardom, combining for 20 wins, three Group 1s and more than $4 million in prize money.
On the back of his first Group 1 success through Temple Of Boom’s victory in The Galaxy at Randwick in 2012, Tony made the move to Eagle Farm, claiming his first Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership in the 2013/14 season.
In a career that has netted more than 2,000 victories, Gollan is now an eight-time Group 1-winning trainer, with both ‘Boom Brothers’, Vega One, Krone, Jonker and Antino having delivered him the ultimate success across his glittering career.
In recent years, Gollan has re-written the record books in Queensland, setting a new benchmark for statewide wins in 2022/23 with 194 victories, as well as a metropolitan record (147) in 2023/24.
In the season just gone, Gollan claimed his 12th straight Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership, and looks poised to claim continue his stranglehold on the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award at this year’s ceremony.
“I never expected this, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at this stage of my career,” Gollan said.
“To be alongside trainers like Jim Atkins, who was my hero growing up, it means an awful lot to me.
“I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near done yet and still have a fair bit of my story to be written.”
Gollan will be joined in the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame by one of the state’s most iconic horses and cult figures – Chief De Beers.
Chief De Beers will forever be remembered as the ‘King of Doomben’, where he claimed all 20 of his career wins.
He won the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 1995 and 1998, as well as 10 other black-type races at the course.
‘The Chief’ was twice placed in Group 1 races at Eagle Farm and also placed at Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley and the Gold Coast, but Doomben remained the only track where he tasted success.
In retirement, he continued to flourish as a mounted police horse for the Queensland Mounted Police, where his decade-long service mirrored his racing tenure – distinguished and decorated.
In the months prior to his sad passing in 2020, Chief De Beers was honoured with the prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his service as a member of the Queensland Police, and his community engagement with Living Legends.
Finally, Michael Pelling is the latest hoop to be inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame.
Born and raised in the far north of the state, Pelling’s glittering career in the saddle began under the guidance of fellow Hall of Fame inductee Pat Duff.
Pelling also enjoyed great success with another legendary local trainer in Jim Atkins, headlined by their Group 1 QTC Derby success with Mr Cromwell.
The same horse also gave Pelling his one and only ride in a Melbourne Cup in 1981, finishing eighth to Kingston Town.
The four-time Group 1-winner retired from the saddle in 2005 with more than 1,500 career wins and four Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premierships.
In retirement, Mick remained connected to the racing industry, patenting the now famous Pelling Pacifier, used across the world.
“I was very surprised to find out I was being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Pelling said.
“I never thought I was in that calibre of Mick Dittman or Glen Boss who went to ride in Sydney and Melbourne, whilst I always stayed based in Queensland.
“I had the opportunities to go ride interstate if I wanted to take them but ultimately, I always thought I would be happiest here at home.
“I grew up on a farm and was always around animals; I loved horses and I guess the horses loved me.”
