Around 80 retired jockeys gather for reunion on Gold Coast last Saturday
About 80 retired hoops and their families gathered at the Gold Coast racetrack at Bundall last Saturday to reminisce about their careers over a few cold ales.
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Former top jockeys such as Mick Dittman, Larry Olsen, Chris Munce, Peter Cook, Larry Cassidy, Jeff Lloyd and Alan Cowie joined in the celebrations.
'It was such a great day,' Brisbane multiple premiership-winning hoop Byrne said.
'We're trying to reintroduce those past and present riders back to the races.
'Both myself and the committee at the QJA, we truly believe this industry has been built on the backs of these riders.
'Aa a show of appreciation, it's only right that we ask them to come to the races on us and celebrate what they've been able to achieve in their careers.'
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Byrne, who is still riding at age 54, said the reunion was about honouring the achievements of former jockeys and reconnecting them with a tight-knit but sometimes fickle industry.
'I believe the industry sometimes forgets the people that are left behind because it is an industry where if one drops by the wayside, there's always someone there to pick up your job and move forward,' he said.
'Myself and the committee feel that racing is starting to get lost to big business and big corporations.
'It's about bringing everyone back and thanking them for what they've done.'
Larry Cassidy was one of the retired jockeys who attended a reunion on the Gold Coast last Saturday. Picture: Trackside Photography
It was the second edition of the jockeys' reunion after the inaugural event at Doomben in August last year, and Byrne said he was 'more than confident' it would continue to be held annually on the Gold Coast.
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'This industry is just 24-7, it never stops,' he said.
'We tend to get lost in that but we're starting to build it back to where it's a proper family industry and I'm already excited for next year.
'I do believe the reunion will get bigger and better. It also highlights how great the industry is in that we're able to support those past riders and they can get together for a beer and reconnect again.'
The Gold Coast Turf Club donated $14,000 on the day to the Queensland Jockeys' Trust, bringing their total contribution to the charity organisation to more than $110,000 over the past few years.
Races on Saturday were named in honour of retired jockeys such as Arthur Lister, Lyle Plumb Sr, Cyril Small and Keith Ballard.
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