Lancelot Bromac set to join exclusive club

Veteran pacer Lancelot Bromac will on Tuesday become an exclusive member of the ‘Aussie 500 Club’.

 In fact, that club is so exclusive and Lance’s efforts so herculean, the son of Art Major is the only member.

For on that day, the 13-year-old will have started a record 500 times.

“It’s hard to believe but 498 runs and almost 11 years have passed since Lancelot Bromac’s first appearance in race at the old Gold Coast harness track at Parklands,” Albion Park Harness Racing Club  Chairman Brad Steele said.

“To celebrate Lance’s longevity and start number 500, the Creek is giving away 500 lollipops to patrons – 500 for 500, seems fair.

“In 12 seasons of racing, Lancelot Bromac has recorded 33 wins and 133 placings for over $376,000 in prize money."

“That’s an average of just over $750 in earnings per start – not bad when you consider he cost just $6,000 and that didn’t even have to be paid until after he started earning prize money.”

Though he hasn’t won since August 30 last year, Lancelot Bromac goes into his 500^th start in consistent form with two seconds, a third and a fourth from his last four outings.

In late December last year, Lance bettered the previous record held by Destreos (486) for the most starts by a pacer in Australia.

Since then, he’s left the mobile barrier another 12 times to put some space between himself and the former record holder.

“Lance has had 465 of his 499 starts at Albion Park and pretty much owns stall 43, particularly on Tuesdays,” Mr Steele said.

“They say age shall not weary and this marvellous old horse and his veteran trainer Stewart Dickson are showing no signs of slowing down.

“Perhaps 600 isn’t out of the question for Lance, so the Creek might have to start saving for the next milestone.”

Bred in New Zealand by Bromac Lodge, Lance was exported to Queensland without a race start.

He had his first outing at the Gold Coast on May 11, 2012 finishing eighth before registering a maiden victory two starts later.  

Lancelot Bormac had five starts for Shannon Price before being sold to connections of the Stewart Dickson stable (Peter Draney) for $6,000.

In February 2020, Stewart Dickson and Mitch Manners became the new owners.

Queensland’s leading reinsman Pete McMullen has recorded the most victories on this trotting teenager (nine). Danielle Veivers is next best with six, the same as current driver Angus Garrard who has the sit on Lance this Tuesday.

A video feature from September 2021, discussing Lancelot Bromac’s unheralded feats.