2011 Gordon Rothacker Medallist, Ted Demmler with HRV Chairman Ken Latta (left) and last year's winner Arthur Graham (right)
A true luminary of the sport, Ted Demmler was tonight presented with the 2011 Gordon Rothacker Medal at Harness Racing Victoria’s premier awards night at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
Throughout a career spanning five decades, Demmler accumulated more than 2000 training wins and 3000 triumphs in the sulky, including 15 seasons where he drove at least 100 winners. He was a four-time Australian Driving Champion, first achieving the honour in 1979 before notching a hat-trick of domination from 1982-84.
Demmler’s driving career ended with a fall in 2005, but the reinsman was far from lost to the sport, retaining his training and ownership interests.
Last season, Demmler celebrated his first Group 1 win as an owner when Charlie Machsheen bolted clear on July 8 in the 2YO Colts & Geldings Final at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
HRV Chairman, Ken Latta said, “On behalf of HRV and the harness racing community, I offer Ted a hearty congratulations from the industry for his decades of commitment and service.
“His achievements on the track will never be forgotten and the Demmler name is a stellar and worthy addition to the Rothacker Medal honour roll.
2011 Gordon Rothacker Medalist Ted Demmler said, “This is the most prestigious award anyone can win in harness racing.”
“I started out as a strapper and was determined to get to the top of the sport. Gordon was a real idol of mine and when he retired, I was so proud to be his driver. Thanks to HRV and the Board. I am very, very honoured.
The Gordon Rothacker Medal was inaugurated a decade ago to recognise an individual for their outstanding and sustained contribution to the harness racing industry in Victoria.
Rothacker dominated the Melbourne Showgrounds for three decades, winning 14 Melbourne Drivers’ Premierships and 10 Melbourne Trainers’ Premierships. He was also the first reinsman to land 500 winners in Melbourne, doing so at Moonee Valley in 1987, some 39 years after driving his first winner at the Showgrounds as an 18 year old in the inaugural season of night trotting.
Gordon sadly passed away on November 16, 2010, just days after last year’s Rothacker Medal. He was a true legend of our sport in every sense of the word and his name will live on throughout harness racing forever.
While the Gordon Rothacker Medal was the main feature, a number of other awards were presented throughout the course of the evening.
Cranbourne took out the Best Country Club of the Year (more than 16 meetings) while Ararat claimed the same category for clubs with less than 16 meetings.
Mildura’s Mark Kemp was again honoured as the Frank Ryan Memorial Secretary of the Year while Heather Anderson also tasted repeat success in taking home the VHRSC Owner of the Year crown.
Five outstanding club servants were presented with Distinguished Service Medals while the Angelique Club recognised champion trainer and driver Natalie Rasmussen with the Pearl Kelly Award.
The Victorian harness racing industry congratulates the 2011 Gordon Rothacker Medal night award winners.
2011 GORDON ROTHACKER MEDAL AND COUNTRY CLUB WINNERS
Gordon Rothacker Medal - Ted Demmler
Distinguished Service Medals - Des McQueen, Barry Quigley, Eddie Walsh, Keith Pratt, Kevin Lane
Country Club Of The Year (> 16 meetings) - Ararat
Country Club Of The Year (< 16 meetings) - Cranbourne
Graduation Club & Secretary Of The Year - Dulcie Daldy (Mooropna)
Frank Ryan Memorial Secretary Of The Year - Mark Kemp (Mildura)
Secretary Of The Year - Part Time - Bob Watson (Cobram)
Best Presented Track/Venue - Shepparton
Best On Course Promotion - Ballarat Girls’ Night Out
Most Successful 2010/11 Country Cup Meeting - Cranbourne
Best Local Media Coverage - Bendigo Race For Fun Club (Addy)
VHRSC Owner Of The Year - Heather Anderson
AVCHRC Volunteer Of The Year - Bob Collins
Best News Story - Adam Hamilton – Lance Justice & Smoken Up
Best Feature - John Peck – Farewell To Gordon Rothacker
Beat Country Feature - Rod Case – Merv The Entertainer
Best Photograph - Stuart McCormick – Lang Team In Work
Best Radio Feature - Len Baker – Interview with Shane Larkins
HRA Meritorious Service Award - Adam Hamilton
Pearl Kelly Award - Natalie Rasmussen
GORDON ROTHACKER MEDAL HONOUR ROLL
2011 - Ted Demmler
2010 - Arthur Graham
2009 - Les Chapman
2008 - Bruce & Elizabeth Clarke
2007 - Peter Manning
2006 - Matt Donaldson
2005 - Ron Pocock
2004 - Jim Barker
2003 - Geoff Hill
2002 - Ian McCallum
