Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst
Former Racing Victoria chairman Hirst, a passionate owner-breeder, gifted five per-cent shares in Jimmy The Bear to ex-Stonecats Bruin and Wright as an excuse to catch up at country race meetings.
Stuck on a name for the home-bred Jimmy Creed gelding, now a $1.35m earner, Hirst's partner Lizzie Sweetnam floated the Frankston YCW backline tribute.
'Lizzie said you could call (the horse) Jimmy The Bear and give them both a share each,' Hirst said.
'We said (at the time) it would be great just to drive around country Victoria catching up and having a good time … his first two runs were in the country and he's barely been back since.'
Hirst played fullback, with resting ruckman Bruin and converted rover Wright in the pockets.
The trio won an U17 premiership in 1974 but lost senior Mornington Peninsula grand finals to Pines, Crib Point and Bonbeach in quick succession.
Wright earned the nickname 'the Bear' as he could often be found asleep on massage tables after post-game ales in the Stonecats' clubroom.
'Everyone knows him as 'the Bear', he's been known as the Bear for 40 years,' Hirst laughed.
'He'd always start work early, by the time 10pm came around on a Saturday he was pretty buggered so he'd go out and lay on the trainers' table and we'd wake him up at 1am wanting to go home.
'The koala bear … he spent all his time sleeping.'
Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, has won 12 of 39 starts and placed 10 times.
The six-year-old has dominated middle distance ranks this campaign, with four wins including the Listed Winter Championship Series Final and two second places.
Jimmy The Bear is $1.60 favourite to add to the tally on Saturday in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) at Caulfield.
Jimmy The Bear has not raced beyond 2000m before but a win would tip another $126,000 into the prizemoney kitty, including the $30,000 VOBIS bonus.
Jimmy The Bear has to date earned Bruin and Wright about $70,000 apiece in prizemoney.
'For Hirsty to make us part of that and Lizzie named the horse, it's just wonderful,' Wright said.
'Originally we were going to go out to the country meetings … we thought better celebrate with a couple owners than only one owner, but he turned out to be a bit better than that.
'Absolutely thrilled, we're bloody rapt, very generous of him.'
Wright played alongside Hirst since U12s through to senior Stonecats ranks.
'Jimmy was the resting ruckman at that stage, because of my size, I started out roving but went to back pocket,' Wright said.
'I thought it was a lot easier, not as much running, alongside Hirsty, fullback all the time, it was a good combination.'
The good combination has continued on Melbourne racecourses these days and winner's bars.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- News.com.au
Quadzilla, Fourplay: Gilbert Gardiner's best bets for Caulfield on Saturday
Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his $200 betting strategy plus quaddie selections for the nine-race card at Caulfield on Saturday. â– â– â– â– â– $25 each-way THANKS GORGEOUS (8) at $6/$1.85 Did everything but win last start and overhauled late by what could be a very smart filly going forward in Signature Scent. Thanks Gorgeous drawn to get an economical lead again at Caulfield on Saturday and could be hard to hold out with a five-kilogram advantage on favourites OLE DANCER (2) and CHERISH ME (1). The home-bred Peltzer filly has two runs under the belt already so 1200m should be no issue. Signature Scent makes it two wins from two starts to begin her promising career as she digs in late to take out the first at Caulfield ðŸ'° @CWilliamsJockey cuts the margin to just six wins in the Vic Metro Jockeys' Premiership ðŸ'€ @cmaherracing — (@Racing) July 12, 2025 $50 win ELECTRIC TOMMY (4) at $3.90 Up in class but won three of four starts to date and looks ready for the Saturday metro test. Big winner last start at Geelong, ploughed through Heavy conditions for a 4.8-length romp in the 1230m Benchmark 64. Won nicely also first up at Moe, albeit Benchmark 58. In form and gets in light – 52kg – with apprentice jockey Logan Bates aboard. Importantly, no concern should forecast rain on Saturday hit Caulfield. Electric Tommy makes a mightily impressive debut for @FreedmanRacing âš¡ @jamieleemott — (@Racing) September 30, 2024 $25 each-way REGAL VOW (10) at $7.50/$2.50 Raced consistently without ultimate success this campaign, finished in the top six the past five starts including two third places. Finally an opportunity to rain on a genuine rain-affected track, so could be an improver deep in the preparation. Drawn wide but could be the place to be late on the card and booking of champion jockey Craig Williams is significant. Williams has won and placed in two starts on Regal Vow. "Regal Vow's moved up stylishly." The best-backed runner on the program salutes for @HayfieldsRacing & Jack Hill ðŸ'Œ — (@Racing) December 27, 2023 $25 each-way NEW YORK LUSTRE (8) at $6.50/$2.10 Rinse and repeat last start only go one better hopefully. New York Lustre enjoyed a great ride from Jamie Melham last start in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) and looked the winner until smart Sydney raider In Flight launched late. New York Lustre, as trainer Enver Jusufovic indicated before that race, felt the pinch late as she missed a crucial jump out before the Group 3. Fitter now and has won second-up previously. She knows how to win! ðŸ'¥ New York Lustre makes it 5 wins on the trot for @jusufovicracing 🗽 — (@Racing) April 26, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– QUADZILLA LEG 1, RACE 6 SAVAGERY VIBE (7) only touched off in Sydney last start and should be able to go one better here. Drawn nicely and Craig Williams aboard. SHADAVAR (6) should benefit from the first-up run at Caulfield when fancied but faded late. Unbeaten filly MYSTIC REIGN (4) must be respected, albeit drawn wide. Could be the place to be late on the card? 1ST LEG 4, 6, 7 LEG 2, RACE 7 REGAL VOW (10) has conditions to suit and fitness edge on key rivals. Been around the mark without a win of late but form around the mare franked since. EARLSWOOD (6) has run into form horses Saban and Sayedaty Sadaty the past two starts. First Australian start for NEWLOOK (9) but the French import must be included. EL ROCKO (11) not without a chance down in weight and likes Caulfield. 2ND LEG 6, 9, 10, 11 LEG 3, RACE 8 NEW YORK LUSTRE (8) loomed to win the Sir John Monash Stakes last start and peaked late, only to be shaded by the smart In Flight. Better for the run and hard to beat. BARAQIEL (3) the best sprinter in the field but short enough first-up after a long break and with bigger plans ahead. BRIDAL WALTZ (9) has raced consistently and been aimed at the Bletchingly. Include outsider APACHE SONG (7). 3RD LEG 3, 7, 8, 9 KEEP YOUR COOL (6) won first-up and placed the past two. Racing in great heart and should be in the finish again. PARIAH PEARL (13) raced well last Saturday at Flemington, quick back-up but likely to get the rain-affected ground she needs. Hard to hold out if track deteriorates. TRUE TO FORM (11) closed off nicely last start, while WINDSTORM (2) could add value to the dividend. 4TH LEG 2, 6, 11, 13 CAULFIELD QUADDIE Race 6: 4, 6, 7 Race 7: 6, 9, 10, 11 Race 8: 3, 7, 8, 9 Race 9: 2, 6, 11, 13 COST $100 FOR 52 per cent SKINNY QUADDIE Start with MYSTIC REIGN (4) and SAVAGERY VIBE (7). In the second leg take EARLSWOOD (6), REGAL VOW (10) and EL ROCKO (11). Then in the third leg take BARAQIEL (3) and NEW YORK LUSTRE (8). Come home with WINDSTORM (2), KEEP YOUR COOL (6) and TRUE TO FORM (11).
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
AFL round 20 live updates: Hawthorn vs Carlton — blog, scores and stats from the MCG
Hawthorn face Carlton at the MCG in beloved Blue Sam Docherty's last game at AFL level. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst
Jimmy The Bear has more than made up for suburban football silverware missed as Frankston YCW past players Mike Hirst, Jimmy Bruin and Nick 'the Bear' Wright enjoy an ownership dream. Former Racing Victoria chairman Hirst, a passionate owner-breeder, gifted five per-cent shares in Jimmy The Bear to ex-Stonecats Bruin and Wright as an excuse to catch up at country race meetings. Stuck on a name for the home-bred Jimmy Creed gelding, now a $1.35m earner, Hirst's partner Lizzie Sweetnam floated the Frankston YCW backline tribute. 'Lizzie said you could call (the horse) Jimmy The Bear and give them both a share each,' Hirst said. 'We said (at the time) it would be great just to drive around country Victoria catching up and having a good time … his first two runs were in the country and he's barely been back since.' Hirst played fullback, with resting ruckman Bruin and converted rover Wright in the pockets. The trio won an U17 premiership in 1974 but lost senior Mornington Peninsula grand finals to Pines, Crib Point and Bonbeach in quick succession. Wright earned the nickname 'the Bear' as he could often be found asleep on massage tables after post-game ales in the Stonecats' clubroom. 'Everyone knows him as 'the Bear', he's been known as the Bear for 40 years,' Hirst laughed. 'He'd always start work early, by the time 10pm came around on a Saturday he was pretty buggered so he'd go out and lay on the trainers' table and we'd wake him up at 1am wanting to go home. 'The koala bear … he spent all his time sleeping.' Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, has won 12 of 39 starts and placed 10 times. The six-year-old has dominated middle distance ranks this campaign, with four wins including the Listed Winter Championship Series Final and two second places. Jimmy The Bear is $1.60 favourite to add to the tally on Saturday in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) at Caulfield. Jimmy The Bear has not raced beyond 2000m before but a win would tip another $126,000 into the prizemoney kitty, including the $30,000 VOBIS bonus. Jimmy The Bear has to date earned Bruin and Wright about $70,000 apiece in prizemoney. 'For Hirsty to make us part of that and Lizzie named the horse, it's just wonderful,' Wright said. 'Originally we were going to go out to the country meetings … we thought better celebrate with a couple owners than only one owner, but he turned out to be a bit better than that. 'Absolutely thrilled, we're bloody rapt, very generous of him.' Wright played alongside Hirst since U12s through to senior Stonecats ranks. 'Jimmy was the resting ruckman at that stage, because of my size, I started out roving but went to back pocket,' Wright said. 'I thought it was a lot easier, not as much running, alongside Hirsty, fullback all the time, it was a good combination.' The good combination has continued on Melbourne racecourses these days and winner's bars.
