2024 COUNTRY ACHIEVER Award
Shane
Fliedner
The Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA), Country Racing Victoria, and Victoria Racing Club (VRC) are delighted to recognise the 2024 Country Achiever at Flemington on VRC Country Race Day. This award acknowledges the outstanding career and contributions of a country-based trainer, highlighted by a race named in their honour on today’s card. In collaboration with Racing Supplies, the ATA presents the recipient with a trophy and a $500 product voucher, awarded in The Committee Room. This year, the recipient is Shane Fliedner. Shane’s journey in the racing world began in Sydney, where he grew up. In 1974, aged 15, he left school to pursue a racing career, starting as a stable hand at Rosehill with respected trainer Fred Hood. In 1976, Shane moved to Berrigan to join local legend Burt Honeychurch as his apprentice jockey. Over the next few years, he transitioned between stables in Berrigan, Leeton, and back to Rosehill, where he completed his apprenticeship with Mick Hood. In 1980, Shane relocated to Victoria, settling in Swan Hill to ride for his trainer father, Len. After two years, he moved to Mildura to join John Castleman’s stable. In 1998, at the age of 39, Shane hung up his jockey silks, moved to Bendigo, and obtained his trainer’s license. Throughout his training career, he has worked with numerous successful horses, including Little Dozer (9 wins, $560,000), Laura’s Charm (8 wins, $500,000), Classiconi (5 wins, $430,000), and Jakodae (5 wins, $350,000). One of his most recognisable horses, Hi Stranger, won $800,000 in prizemoney, secured victories in the Kilmore and Echuca Cups, placed in a number of races, and was crowned Country Racing Victoria Horse of the Year in 2022.
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