Vale Pat Hyland

It is with great sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) acknowledge the passing of Australian Racing Hall of Fame member Pat Hyland at the age of 84 following a long battle with illness.

Over more than six decades, Hyland forged an illustrious career as a jockey and trainer in which the Port Fairy-raised horseman collected a list of accolades that places him among Australian racing’s all-time greats. 

Hyland started his jockey apprenticeship in 1956 with the late trainer Jim Moloney at nearby Warrnambool the day before his 15th birthday, however he moved to Mordialloc in Melbourne with Moloney just one week later.

The pair’s friendship would prove crucial to Hyland becoming one of only eight jockeys in history to complete Australian racing’s ‘grand slam’ of victories with Hyland securing the 1969 Golden Slipper on Moloney’s champion sprinter Vain alongside his wins in the 1965 Cox Plate (Star Affair), 1984 Caulfield Cup (Affinity) and 1985 Melbourne Cup (What A Nuisance).

Hyland notched 30 Group 1 victories in the saddle before retiring in 1990 to focus on his training career.

His first Group 1 win as a trainer came in the 1995 VRC Oaks with Saleous where Hyland, having ridden Rom’s Stiletto to Oaks success in 1982, achieved the rare feat of winning the same feature race as both a trainer and jockey.

Hyland prepared over 500 winners as a trainer including Group 1 winners Zarita and Bonaria with his experience as a jockey and ability to ride trackwork proving influential to his success.

In the latter stages of his career, Hyland formed a training partnership with his son Chris, while his other sons Matthew and Sam both enjoyed careers as jockeys before their retirement from the saddle. 

The trio all remain actively involved in the racing industry with Matthew the current Chief Executive of the VJA, following in the footsteps of his father who is a former President of the Association. 

Hyland was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2016 where he was recognised for excellence as both a jockey and trainer.

He formally retired from training in 2020 due to ill health and to spend greater time with his wife Maree at their family property in Nar Nar Goon North. 

RV Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “Racing Victoria extends its heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry to Maree and the Hyland family on the passing of the legendary jockey and trainer Pat Hyland. 

“Pat’s list of achievements and contribution to the sport across six decades is incredible and he sits comfortably among the greats of thoroughbred racing in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. 

“He is one of only a handful of jockeys to secure Australian racing’s grand slam who went on to forge a career as a highly successful Group 1 winning trainer. He loved horses and this affinity flowed into his racetrack deeds.

“The Hyland name is synonymous with racing in Victoria and generations of racing fans have had the privilege of enjoying the decorated career of Pat Hyland whom we have sadly lost today.”

VJA Operations Officer, Matt Pumpa, said, “I know I speak on behalf of the entire Victorian jockey cohort, both past and present, in acknowledging the passing of one of the truly great Victorian jockeys in Pat Hyland.

“In sharing our condolences and deepest sympathies with Pat’s wife Maree and their six children, our thoughts at this time are especially with our CEO Matthew.

“Pat will be remembered for his incredible achievements in the saddle, but a vital part of his legacy is the contribution he made as President of the Victorian Jockeys Association, where he enthusiastically and forcefully advocated to improve the safety, working conditions and financial rewards for jockeys in this state in what was a very different era.

“Speaking to those who saw him ride, it’s clear that Pat was fiercely competitive on the track, regarded as a master tactician, an astute judge, and was a highly respected professional in every way.

“Racing and jockeys in particular are all the better for Pat Hyland’s contribution and we deeply mourn his passing.” 

Pat Hyland is survived by wife Maree, daughter Joanne, sons Paul, Matthew, Chris, Samuel and Patrick, along with 17 grandkids.