Jack Murray remembered as a giant of racing in the North Burnett

By Jordan Gerrans

Wherever North Burnett racing icon Jack Murray travelled, he took his passion in his pocket with him.

The long-time trainer, breeder, administrator, punter and racing follower always had a form guide, race book or the acceptances with him just in case he wanted to have a quick browse at the gallopers.

The Murray name has been synonymous with the racing industry in the North Burnett region for more than 60 years, with Jack the patriarch of the clan.

The legend of racing in the area sadly passed away last week at 94 years of age.

Fittingly, Jack attended the races at Nanango on the Saturday before he died.

Jack began his journey in racing with his father Percy when they arrived at Eidsvold in the late 1950s.

The Murrays had horses at their property – where they still remain today – and bred their own to race.

When Percy passed away, Jack took over the training duties for the family.

That is exactly what Jack would eventually do as well, with his two sons Lyle and Bob also training when he wound down his day-to-day operation.

Bob Murray prepares the team of gallopers these days for the family and says his late father would advocate for the sport everywhere he would go. 

“Wherever he went, he would tell people to go to a race meeting,” Bob said.

“If we went to Bundaberg for some shopping or to go to the doctors, he would tell everyone he ran into that they should go to the races.

“Everyone knew him in the racing game and would talk to him.”

Such was Jack’s dedication to his craft, he carried the races with him everywhere he went.

He was a regular at tracks in the area for decades, first as a trainer, before turning his hand to administration.

Jack was eventually bestowed the honour of being a life member at his beloved Eidsvold club as well as being a patron.

“Everywhere he went, he always had the race book of the last meeting he went to,” Bob said.

“He would have a race book or the acceptances always in his pocket.

“If he was bored with whatever he was doing, he would sit down and pick his winners out for the next race meeting he was attending or try and figure out why his tip did not win in the meeting he attended previously.”

Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said Jack deserved every honour handed to him throughout his life for his contribution to the racing industry.

"Jack Murray was a giant of the racing industry in the North Burnett region, with the Eidsvold Race Club close to his heart for decades," Parnell said.

"He was the head of a family dynasty of thoroughbred racing in regional Queensland.

“Jack was a renowned trainer before handing over the reins to the family stable to his sons.

“The Murrays’ contribution to racing in the North Burnett has been profound and Jack was always a smiling face at the races."

The Eidsvold Race Club and Bundaberg Race Club have both paid tribute to Jack since his passing last week.

“Jack Murray was a lovely man and always had a tip or a laugh to share on race day,” the Bundaberg club said in their social media post.

He was an icon at numerous tracks around regional Queensland.

“A fiercely passionate supporter and contributor to the sport of horse racing,” Jack’s home club Eidsvold said.

“Jack’s absence will be felt in the wider racing, Eidsvold and North Burnett communities.”

North Burnett racing enthusiast John Lusk looked forward to seeing Jack at the track as he said the late racing identity always stood out amongst the crowd.

“Jack was at the races, rain, hail or shine, there is no doubt about that,” Lusk said

“Jack was the best dressed man at the races every year, by far.”

The Murrays’ passion and love for the sport keeps thoroughbred racing ticking along in the area.

The Eidsvold Race Club committee is stacked with people that all share the same surname – Murray – with Jack introducing them all to his beloved sport.

Four generations of Murrays have prepared gallopers in the area.

Percy passed it on to Jack, who eventually handed the reins over to his sons Bob and Lyle, while Bob is aided by his sons preparing his horses to this day.

While Lyle no longer trains, he has taken over the Eidsvold club’s president.

Bob is set to head to Thangool on Monday of next week with two runners across their TAB program.

He is hopeful of snaring a winner in his late father’s honour.

“It would be great if we could,” Bob said.

RQ extends its condolences to the Murray family.