Top trotting post to Australian

Press, 15 August 1980, Page 21 (Supplement)

Top trotting post to Australian

NZPA Melbourne Two of Australian trotting’s top administrative positions were filled yesterday by one of Australia’s best-known trotting personalities. The dual prestigious positions as secretary of the Australian Trotting Council and • the Inter-Dominion Trotting Council will be held by a Victorian, Mr John Aughey, aged 43. Announcing the appointment, the president of the In t e r-Dominion Trotting Council (Mr Graeme Cochran) said Mr Aughey had been chosen from a wide range of applicants. He was confident that his administrative experience in standardbred live stock management and knowledge of racing and breeding would provide the secretariat with a sound executive.

Mr Aughey has been a hobbv horse man since he was 16. His mother is the former Miss Mabel Gath, ter of the famous Gath brothers — George, Norman and the late Albert “Darky,” Gath. His cousins include leading drivers Neville and Brian Gath.

Mr Aughey first drove in a race at Geelong in 1954 but has restricted his active race driving over the years. His last winning drive was in April last year. Mr Aughey, one of Australia’s best known trotting

auctioneers, has conducted auctions of standardbreds and thoroughbreds in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and New Zealand. He has personally selected 14 standardbred stallions at stud in Australia and has both exported and imported many standardbreds for clients. He was secretary of the Victorian Trainers’ and Drivers’ Association in 197273. An expert in pedigrees, he is considered an authority on racing conditions in New Zealand and the United States. Commenting on his new role, Mr Aughey said one of the greatest challenges facing the . standardbred industry in Australia is to effectively link trotting bodies in all states to a national computer system.

“It will be my job to assist in extending all the benefits of this service to every section of the industry. “Through this the trotting industry should achieve greater efficiency and production of vital statistical publications should be ex-

i pedited.” fl Mr Aughey said the Ausi tralian Trotting Council has . an increasing role to play, in 5 national trotting promotion and there are a number of - other developmental pro- ? jects, including the Hall of

(Fame in South Australia which will require attention. Mr Cochran said Mr Aughey’s vast knowledge of the international transport of horses would be of great assistance. ;

“His understanding of the experience of recent years in the breeding industry in problems arising from contagious equine metritis and its effect on the export of Australian horses would be of significance in negotiations with United States authorities,” Mr Cochran said.