BJC pays tribute to racing icon Brendan Drechsler

BENDIGO Jockey Club has paid the ultimate tribute to its former chairman Brendan Drechsler, naming the third race on last Friday’s program in his honour.

A giant of the country racing scene and a well-known community figure in Bendigo, Drechsler lost his long and brave battle with cancer on 24 May, aged 67.

Among his many contributions to the racing industry, he served 23 years on the Bendigo Jockey Club committee, including eight as chairman, and nine years as a director of Country Racing Victoria.

He also served 16 years on the Marong Racing Club committee (seven as chairman) and was a life member of both the Bendigo and Marong clubs.

The running of the Vale Brendan Drechsler Fillies and Maiden Plate (1300m) served as a timely reminder of his legacy.

Jockeys in the race wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

Hopes of a sentimental hometown win soared when the Rod Symons-trained long shot Kalkee – a 60-1 chance – bolted to a big mid-race lead and still led the field with 100m to travel.

But the tiring filly was swamped late, allowing the Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained Just Jenni – ridden by Craig Newitt – to prevail in a thrilling finish ahead of the favourite Star Angel, who charged home from the back of the field for second.

Alluding to Drechsler’s strong affinity for jumps racing, Yeomans said it was an honour for the stable to win the race.

“We’ve got two jumps jockeys who work for us at home and ride this filly in work. It will really mean a lot for them to win this race,” she said.

Renowned racecaller Ric McIntosh hailed Drechsler as an icon of country racing and the Bendigo Jockey Club and was privileged to call Friday’s race.

“It will be always an honour … anything to talk about Brendan Drechsler,” an emotional McIntosh said from the caller’s box.

“He was a passionate leader, committed volunteer and deeply respected member of our Bendigo racing community.

“Brendan’s contributions to the Bendigo Jockey Club stretched over two decades, including eight years as chairman, where he made it his business to convince everybody that we should have the (Group 3) Bendigo Cup a week before the Melbourne Cup and give (horses) a last chance in.

“It’s been something that hasn’t hurt the Melbourne Cup in the last three or four editions.”

Most notably, Knight’s Choice, trained by John Symons and Sheila Laxon, won the 2024 Melbourne Cup, six days after finishing fifth in the Bendigo Cup.

In 2022, the Ciaron Maher-trained High Emocean finished third in the Melbourne Cup behind Gold Trip after winning at Bendigo, while the following year, Interpretation finished sixth at Flemington behind Without A Fight after triumphing at Bendigo.

Close friends, McIntosh and Drechsler shared a particular passion for jumps racing.

“He brought jumps racing back to Bendigo with the Mosstrooper Steeplechase and then his committee named the hurdle that day in his honour – the Brendan Drechsler Hurdle – and those races live on,” McIntosh said.

“He made significant contributions across Victoria during his nine-years tenure as a director of Country Racing Victoria.

“His legacy didn’t end at racing. He was the CFA Captain at Sedgwick; he was involved at the Sedgwick Cricket Club; and was a life member at the Marong Racing Club where he was chairman for eight years.

“Brendan exemplified community service – his leadership and vision transformed our club.”

McIntosh said Drechsler was instrumental in his own career, sparking his switch across codes from harness to thoroughbred racing.

“I will be forever indebted to him,” he said.

BJC chairman Jack Lyons paid his respects to Drechsler in the days after his passing.

“He was a great mentor and a friend and his passion for racing and his dedication to community service set a standard we all aspire to,” he said.

“Whether it was on course at Bendigo or out in the community, Brendan brought people together.

“His leadership was thoughtful, his presence reassuring, and his commitment unwavering. We are incredibly grateful for all that he gave.”