Stars and legends honoured at the Greyhound Hall of Fame and Awards night

Stars of WA’s greyhound racing industry Tommy Shelby and Dave and Christine Robartson have officially been inducted into the WA Racing Hall of Fame.

On Sunday evening, Racing WA celebrated chasing’s night of nights with the 2024 Greyhound Racing Awards and Hall of Fame at Crown Burswood. Hosted by well-known greyhound identity Peter O’Neill and radio personality Alana McLean, industry participants showed out to recognise the deserving recipients.

“It was a fantastic event and a truly special occasion for our code to come together and celebrate the achievements of the past year,” Racing WA Greyhound Operations Manager Peter Howell said.

“Our industry is full of passionate and dedicated individuals, so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to recognise and honour that spirit.

“Acknowledging both Dave and Christine Robartson, as well as Tommy Shelby was a monumental moment after all they have done for greyhound racing.”

Dave and Christine have been involved in the industry as trainers, owners and breeders, with their connection to WA chasing dating back to the 1970s.

Together, their long list of achievements is remarkable and includes winning three Group 1s, as well as being recognised for breeding multiple generations of winners.

Dubbed ‘the peoples’ greyhound’, the event also celebrated the induction of superstar Tommy Shelby, who retired in 2022 as a three-time Group 1 winner.

He finished his career with 31 wins, six seconds and six thirds from 48 starts, with only five unplaced runs, amassing $1,020,870 in prize money.

As a sire, Tommy Shelby’s progeny have already had more 11,500 starts for nearly 2000 wins and more $8 million in prizemoney with multiple Group 1 winners including this year’s Greyhound of the Year finalist Uncle Tommy.

All eyes were on Greyhound of the Year, with the three strong finalists all producing a stellar 2024, including Miss Envy, Sunset Frazier and Uncle Tommy.

The coveted award was claimed by the Krystal Shinners-trained Miss Envy after she notched up 15 wins and six places from 22 starts, earning her $380,427 in stakes.

Some of her notable victories of the season include the Group 1 National Sprint Championship at Angle Park, the Consolation of the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park and the Group 2 Laurels at Sandown Park.

The Leading Trainer Award for 2024 was brought home by veteran David Hobby. David rugged up 267 winners with his Sunset and Monelli named chasers as stand outs.

Other notable award winners included trainer Jade McPherson as the 2024 Young Achiever. The Crudeli Family claimed the Kerry Vernon Award for Excellence in Greyhound Welfare, while John Cole was awarded the Gerry O’Keefe Achievement Award.

Josh Miller

Images: Davide Zamboni