Roma stalwart on the verge of rare milestone

A loyal servant of the Roma Turf Club and the Downs Country Racing Association is closing in on a rare milestone.

Peter Flynn has been calling thoroughbred racing for more than half-a-century in regional Queensland.

In recent years, Flynn has also taken on the role of co-president of the Roma Turf Club.

The Roma local called his 49^th Roma Cup on Saturday afternoon at Bassett Park.

All going well, the long-time racing man will be behind the binoculars for the 50^th time come the Roma Cup of 2024.

“I'm just up to 51 years of race calling, and I believe this is my 49th Roma Cup, so I'm getting towards 50,” Flynn said.

The 2023 Roma Cup was won by the Bevan Johnson-prepared Stampede Warrior with apprentice hoop Tyler Leslight in the saddle.

Stampede Warrior did it with ease on the sand, scoring by six lengths.

Craig Smith – who is the leading local trainer in the area – shares the co-presidency role with Flynn.

Smith lauded Flynn’s efforts over the decades.

“He has been our representative on the Country Racing Advisory Panel for quite a few years and that is not only the one feather in his cap, he is involved with a number of sports and bodies out our way at Roma,” Smith said.

After calling 49 Roma Cups, Flynn’s memory of all the winners over the time is still strong.

“Ironically enough, I can probably remember the ones further back than the ones closer up,” he said.

Smith won the Battle of the Bush earlier this year with Art By Concorde. 

Art By Concorde is on the way back to the city for a tilt at the Country Cups Challenge Final early next month.

Smith says sharing the presidency duties at the club works perfectly for him and Flynn.

“The co-presidency works out well for both of us and evens out the work load between us,” Smith said.

“It is working at the moment.

“We had a successful day on Saturday for the Roma Cup.”