Vale, Joe Yorke

Media Release - Tuesday July 1

The racing industry has lost one of its more colourful characters with the passing of Joe Yorke on Sunday.

The Manawatu horseman was a respected breaker and pre-trainer for a number of top Central Districts racing stables before becoming a bloodstock agent, but he is more known for his feats in the Equestrian world, having competed in showjumping at the 1976 Montreal Olympics with Big Red.

Joe Yorke being inducted into the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame on Friday night.   Photo: ESNZ

The pair were inducted into the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame at their 75th Anniversary dinner on Friday night, alongside thoroughbred trainer and Olympian Harvey Wilson and his wife Ann.

Wilson was sad to hear of Yorke’s passing just two days later, aged 77, and recalled their time together preparing to compete at the Montreal Olympics.

“We rode a lot together in the early days,” Wilson said. “We went to England in a team in ‘76 to go to Montreal - Joe Yorke, myself and John Cottle.

“John and my horses suffered a bit from travel sickness, so we didn’t get there, so Joe was the only representative when riding for New Zealand at Montreal.”

While they failed to make the final, Yorke and Big Red proved to be a formidable pair in the lead-up, gaining their Olympic selection through numerous wins and placings, including Horse of the Year and the Pilmer Plate for puissance in 1974, and the Norwood Gold Cup in 1975.

Such was their standing that the trophy awarded to New Zealand show jumping’s Young Rider of the Year is called The Big Red Cup, named in honour of Yorke’s chestnut.

Advertisement

While Big Red was Yorke’s most popular horse, Wilson said he also had plenty of success with another mount.

“He also had another very good horse that jumped for New Zealand called Challenge,” Wilson said. “Challenge was his first horse and Big Red was his second horse, and he was a very good horse. He did a very good job to have two horses compete for New Zealand, and that is not easy.”

Following his Olympic endeavours, Yorke returned to New Zealand to concentrate more on thoroughbred racing and he established a successful breaking-in and pre-training business.

“He retired after Montreal and he set-up his own business up where he used to break-in and pretrain, and he then became a bloodstock agent,” Wilson said.

Yorke was a familiar face on Stuart Hale’s annual yearling sale tour, with his quick wit and expert eye a welcome addition to the high-anticipated gathering.

While sad to hear of Yorke’s passing, Wilson was pleased his old friend was able to be honoured for his achievements in the saddle when inducted into the Hall of Fame last Friday.

“It’s very sad, having been inducted into the Equestrian Federation Hall of Fame two days before,” Wilson said. “He was a great horseman.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Many Pedigree Paths Lead to Helen Street
Jane Henning of Pedigree Dynamics offers her thoughts on an Irish Oaks winner that has become a remarkable producer and is now emerging as a great candidate for line breeding.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.