He was christened Ronald Richard Hutchinson, but to his wide army of friends it’s just Ron, and there were many there on Friday last to celebrate his 85^th birthday.

Ron met with much success riding in Australia, winning major races for the leading trainers, the late Lou Robertson and Theo Lewis.

In 1960 he accepted a retainer to ride for Paddy Prendergast in Ireland, that same year he rode Martial to win the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket.

Ron is among the regulars at Flemington, he was there on Saturday sipping a quite ale with his group of mates.