The passing of Ian Fisher, at 94, earlier last week was the closing chapter in one of the oldest racing families in Victoria.

Back in those early years of the previous century the brothers, Jim and Ruben, both were wheat farmers in the Wimmera, each became involved in racing as trainers.

Jim was up at Yaapeet, near Lake Albacutya, Ruben trained at Brim, the stabling was all thatched roofs, warm in winter and cool in summer.

All the galloping was done on the farms, the wheat was sown about 10 metres in from the fence that was where the horses were worked.

It was a marvellous era to be involved in, the racing was great and it was an experience to meet all the personalities.

The Fishers played quite a dominant role in racing throughout the Mallee and the Wimmera; an ill word could never be spoken of them.

Jim had two sons, Charles, (Son), and young Jim, as he was known, while Ruben had five sons Reg, Tren, Ian Kevin and Gordon, all followed their father into racing.

Ian was the jockey of the family, and a good one at that, he was never apprenticed, hence he was only granted a B licence, which restricted him from riding on metropolitan courses.

No records were kept of his winning rides, they were numerous, Roy Higgins, as a young apprentice in the Riverina, would have ridden against Ian Fisher up around the border.

On retirement Ian became involved with the Warracknabeal Turf Club, and even had a stint in local government, he was always there to assist people.

His tales of Jamestown, the horse, were always entertaining; Jamestown won races on 21 courses in three states, he was known as the Carbine of the bush.

He raced over 14 seasons from 1941 to 1953; he had 153 starts, winning 52 races, 29 seconds and third 20 times.

Ian Fisher will be long remembered, not only for the winners he rode, he also was a popular figure, a man who treated people as he himself wanted to be treated.

Ian Fisher