Racing Victoria Limited is kicking off a campaign to elevate champion jockey Scobie Breasley AO onto Australia's Living National Treasures list.

The list recognises 100 of Australia's living legends. Until the end of February, the National Trust is conducting a new election to promote 15 new treasures to replace those who have died since the last election in December 1997.

The campaign is being run through www.racingvictoria.net.au and will allow website users to send an email to the National Trust, registering a vote for Scobie Breasley AO. It is set up to be as easy as possible for Scobie's many fans in the racing industry to show their support.

Scobie Breasley is a living racing legend. At the end of his outstanding riding career he had won five Caulfield Cups, two English Derbies, the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe and four English jockey premierships.

All up, Scobie Breasley rode 3251 winners, more than 2000 of them in England.

Racing Victoria Limited Chairman Graham Duff said:

"Part of Racing Victoria Limited's charter is to promote racing's heroes and Scobie is undoubtedly a living legend of our sport.

"I have no doubt the racing industry will get behind this campaign to make Scobie Breasley AO one of Australia's Living National Treasures."

Scobie Breasley AO is the Patron of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and the inaugural inductee. He will turn 90 in May this year.

Australian Racing Hall of Fame Chairman Bryan Martin said:

"Scobie Breasley AO is, without doubt, our greatest human racing ambassador.

"He is a racing icon who certainly deserves his place among Australia's Living National Treasures.

"What a fitting result it would be for Scobie if he celebrated his 90^th birthday this year by becoming one of Australia's Living National Treasures."

At present racing's representatives on Australia's Living National Treasures list are Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse.

Voting for Australia's Living National Treasures list can also be conducted through the National Trust at treasures@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au, by fax on (02) 9241 2303 or by mail to the Executive Director, The National Trust of Australia (NSW), GPO Box 518, Sydney NSW 2001.

Racing Victoria Media Release Published 05/02/04