Warrnambool veteran horseman Leo Dwyer is hanging up his riding boots after almost 60 years of service as clerk-of-course.
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Mr Dwyer has worked in his role at 58 consecutive Warrnambool May carnivals - a record which will be hard to surpass.
He will have his last day in the saddle on official race duties at the Woodford race meeting at Warrnambool on December 31.
The father-of-seven celebrates his 82nd birthday on Thursday and admitted to The Standard he had mixed emotions about his decision.
"I've got a tinge of sadness. I think the time is right to give it away - you can't go on forever," he said.
"I've had a great ride but time has caught up with me. I'm going to miss it.
"It's fitting I retire after Woodford because they were the first club I worked for as a clerk-of-course many, many years ago and they awarded me life membership a couple of years ago.
"I've got to thank my wife Maureen, my seven children and in particular Anne, Eddie and Janet who have helped me in my job.
"The funny thing is the seven kids have all worked at Warrnambool at various stages and I can't forget Ray Walsh. He's a wonderful mate."
Mr Dwyer fondly remembers working at race meetings at now closed Western District racecourses like Macarthur, Koroit, Hawkesdale, Cobden.
He only has meetings at Warrnambool on Thursday week, Penshurst on Boxing Day and Woodford on New Year's Eve before the curtain falls on a remarkable career.
"I often think back to those old days they were wonderful times," he said.
"There were a lot more characters involved in racing back in that era. I've seen lots of changes over the years in racing, some for the good and some of them bad.
"I've been fortunate to have had a front row seat for the last 58 Grand Annuals and witnessed some amazing achievements by horses, jockeys and trainers.
"My fondest memory relating to a Grand Annual would be in 1979. My wife Maureen trained Follow The Band to run second behind Thackeray. It was a tremendous effort. The annual is a lot bigger event now than in 1979."
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