Lester with The Quarterback’s trainer Robbie Griffiths at the winning presentation for the 2016 Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
legacy LESTER’S ENDURING
By Celia Purdey
In a tribute to the late Deane Lester, whose visionary idea sparked the revival of an iconic race, The Flemington Cup has been renamed the Deane Lester Flemington Cup, forever immortalising his name and passion for the sport. Growing up on his parents’ thoroughbred studs on the Mornington Peninsula and in the Dandenong Ranges, Deane Lester’s love for horses and racing was nurtured from an early age. Despite being born with spina bifida, he refused to let anything dampen his passion for the sport. As Lester grew older, his knowledge of horse racing developed, and his expertise in understanding the form of racehorses became widely respected. His dedication and astuteness earned him a reputation as one of the most respected form students in the Australian racing community. He spent countless hours analysing race data, studying pedigrees, and observing horses on the track, all in pursuit of uncovering the secrets of success. Lester’s knowledge and curiosity about the sport led him to the discovery of “The Flemington Cup”. The cup, now in the National Gallery of Victoria,
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