When Vain was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 it may have been thought the champion’s trainer, Jim Maloney, would have followed during the intervening years.

However that has never happened, Maloney, now in his 89^th year, has been a father figure to so many in the racing industry.

Born in Warrnambool he followed his father, Gerry, as a trainer, his dad won the Grand National Hurdle with Belar in 1933, ridden by the stable jockey, Rupert McInnes.

Young Jim was in no hurry to leave the Western District; he was quite content to remain in Warrnambool for the right horse to come along before he would make a move to Melbourne.

As long as you are prepared to wait for the right horse it will eventually come along, it did for Jim when Swynphilos won a Maiden Handicap at Hamilton.

After he won the Newmarket Handicap the following year with Swyphilos, you couldn’t hold Jim down any longer, Epsom would be his base and nothing has changed.

He was good for Epsom and Epsom was good to him, he trained a lot of winners there, “Vain” had no peer, when the track was finally closed it was a sad day for racing and a dedicated group of loyal supporters.

Several trainers relocated to other areas while others just closed up shop, Jim Maloney retired a popular and humble figure, an ornament to the racing industry and worthy of the utmost recognition.