The Hanging Rock racing community lost a true legend last week with the passing of one-of-a-kind race caller Jack Styring.
The 92-year-old held the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a race caller and was beloved locally for his colourful calling of the Hanging Rock races, which he’d done some 38 times.
The former Gisborne resident was a life member of the Hanging Rock Racing Club and had a feature race named in his honour.
Long-time friend and former president of Hanging Rock Racing Club, Mike Rowland, said the recognition of Styring’s contribution to thoroughbred racing in Victoria had been widely acknowledged through the awarding of an Order of Australia Medal and in recent media over the past week.
“Extolling Jack in all of his roles over the many decades – race caller, broadcaster, commentator, journalist, administrator and all round raconteur – reflected the wide respect for, and appreciation of, his contribution,” Rowland said.
“Jack was unique in the true sense of the word.
“He was a long-term resident of the Macedon Ranges and his passion and advocacy for racing in the Ranges was manifest in his decades-long involvement with the Hanging Rock Racing Club as race caller, committee member and office holder, including a time as president.”
Styring was also a breeder and owner and as a race caller he injected his own colourful descriptive brand into broadcasts of countless races all over Victoria and interstate.
Some of his ‘Styringisms’ included: “won by as far as you could kick a jam tin”, “is finishing like a shot out of a gun”, “baring his molars to the breeze”.
Styring called his first race as a 21-year-old at Kaniva in 1960, and his last at Yea when he was 81. Remarkable longevity.
Rowland said the local club committee room benefited from Styring’s willingly shared experience and encyclopedic knowledge of all things racing.
“He was, informally, an educator and mentor to many club office holders over so many years,” Rowland said.
“How fortunate we were to have the benefit of that.
“His presence about the club in the days when working bees were integral to the work of committees, with local racing community support, was much appreciated.
“Invariably, in the breaks, participants were regaled with Jack’s stories of the racing world, often with good humour.”
Rowland said that while Styring valued tradition, he retained a future’s focus.
“Jack engaged actively in the considered discussions around the potential merger of the Hanging Rock and Kyneton District Racing Clubs.
“He saw clearly the future for a merged entity. And so it was to be.
“He took great pride in being the founding patron of the newly formed (2009) Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club.
“Jack also took pride in the growth and development of the new club to being an industry high performer, as it now is.
“He treasured the natural environment of both racing precincts – the majesty of the avenues of elms at Kyneton, and the awe of Hanging Rock.
“He often referred to Hanging Rock as iconic. Of course, it is. And so was he.”
