Passionate harness racing man Steve McCallum captured this photo at Yarra Valley.
On Wednesday 17 February, Yarra Valley Racing will host the Steve McCallum Memorial. Steve’s immediate family will be in attendance and the Club invites all of Steve’s friends, family and colleagues along to the races for the day.
Steve was basically introduced to the sport by his father Greg’s ownership of harness horses, and instantly fell in love with the harness racing game. His passion led him to taking on training and driving horses. Starting out Steve dabbled with some older gentlemen of the sport being Gunfire and Heza Hard Drive and then progressed to getting some young ones and bringing them through to racing, being My Charli Girl and Saint Davids Field.
He forged somewhat of partnership with the late Danielle Lewis, and the pair worked several horses up together including Danielle’s winning pair Inclinator and Irrefutable. After Danielle’s passing Steve managed a lot of the care and placement of Danielle’s horses and was a rock at the centre of tragic situation for Danielle’s family.
On Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton, Emmett Brosnan paid a lovely tribute to Steve by wearing his colours aboard Jambiani on Hunter Cup night. Unfortunately when looming up ominously Jambiani locked wheels and lost all momentum.
Steve had begun investing in many other areas of the sport including taking a position on the Board of Directors at Yarra Valley Racing and breeding mares. Glenn Hunter broke a two-year-old trotter in for Steve late last year and Steve was certain he had found this year’s Redwood winner.
Steve’s other passion in life was the Lilydale Cricket Club. He was just as actively involved as a captain, coach, vice-president and mentor to many young members of the club.
Steve was tragically struck down with illness last year and sadly passed away on the 10th January. His involvement with harness racing as a trainer, driver, breeder, board member, along with all the leadership and mentoring he would have openly provided so many others will be missed, however it will be his friendship to so many that will be missed most.