Champion jockey Blake Shinn has added another accolade to his glittering career, securing his fourth Scobie Breasley Medal at the Racing Victoria awards on Monday night. The achievement comes despite a period on the sidelines through injury, with the Melbourne metropolitan premiership winner still polling the most votes across the 2024/25 season.
The 37-year-old has now claimed the award three years running since 2023, alongside his first win as an apprentice in 2005.
The medal, determined by Racing Victoria stewards on a 3-2-1 voting system similar to the AFL’s Brownlow Medal, saw Shinn awarded maximum points on 13 separate occasions.
“I came here tonight unsure what was going to because it can be quite unpredictable,” Shinn said.
“It is quite humbling to win this medal, to be honest.”
He paid tribute to his partner, Lucy Yeomans – co-trainer with Lloyd Kennewell at Cranbourne – for bringing balance to his high-intensity approach to racing.
Cox Plate winner Via Sistina was named Victorian Racehorse of the Year, giving trainer Chris Waller his sixth recipient of the award.
Trainer Gavin Bedggood was presented with the Colin Alderson Rising Star award for his consistent results with tried horses, while Matt Laurie’s campaign with talented filly Treasurethe Moment earned him the Most Outstanding Training Performance award.
Damian Lane collected the VJA Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey title, Logan Bates was named VJA Rising Star, and jumps legend Steve Pateman extended his dominance by claiming the Tommy Corrigan Medal for the 10th time, having first won it in 2007.