Community
26 June, 2026
Mounting Yard named after stalwart
A CAMPERDOWN racing stalwart has been honoured through the unveiling of a mounting yard named after him.
The Camperdown Turf Club unveiled the mounting yard last Sunday to Neville ‘Nifty’ Wilson OAM and his family at the Camperdown Racecourse.
Mr Wilson first began riding in 1962, forging a strong career as a jockey over many years of racing.
He has ridden five Group One winners and received a number of awards in regional jockey championship competitions.
Camperdown Turf Club president Rose Henry said Mr Wilson had also earned the admiration of many trainers, race fans, horse owners and jockeys throughout his career.
“Neville shared a particularly strong and enduring association with many trainers, especially with the racing stables of local trainer Geoff Daffy,” she said.
“Over many years, Nifty enjoyed significant success riding for Geoff, which included five Camperdown Cups and the good luck of the shamrock.
“For 20 years, he served as president of the Jockeys’ Association, representing and supporting fellow riders.
“His standing within racing is further reflected here at Camperdown, where each Cup Day he proudly sponsors the annual Neville Wilson Award, presented to the jockey who accumulates the most points on race day.
“Racing Victoria also recognised Neville’s contribution to the industry back in 2010 with the introduction of the Neville Wilson Medal, which is presented to Victoria’s Premier Country Jockey at the Country Racing Awards in Melbourne annually.”
Mr Wilson’s jockey career boasts 2078 winners raced by the time he had retired, quickly turning to horse training.
He was recognised with an Order of Australia medal in 2009 for his service to racing and the Camperdown community.
The mounting yard was unveiled in front of Mr Wilson’s wife Carol, his five daughters Narelle, Kellie, Leah, Jane and Kate, and their partners and his grandchildren.
“This mounting yard will serve as a permanent reminder of your contribution to racing,” Ms Henry said.
“Every jockey who legs up here, every horse that parades before a race, and every racing participant who passes through this area will be reminded of your outstanding achievements in horse racing.”
Mr Wilson extended his gratitude to the Camperdown Turf Club for honouring him in this manner.
“This track is my home and I am incredibly grateful to the committee for such a meaningful tribute to my career,” he said.
“However, this honour does not belong to me alone.
“It belongs equally to my family, and to the local racing community, both of whom provided unwavering support throughout my entire career.”
Narelle Kerr, the eldest of Mr Wilson’s children, said it was a huge honour for her father’s legacy to be recognised.
“It’s a massive honour and the family are all extremely grateful to the Turf Club for acknowledging dad and his career,” she said.
“The racing industry, and particularly the Camperdown Racecourse – which is his home town – is a very significant and important part of his life.”
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