RACING
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LONG-serving Gundagai official Len Tozer has been named the 2013-14 Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) Personality of the Year.
Tozer beat a star-studded field, narrowed down to five finalists, to take out the prize at the SDRA Awards Night at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Friday night.
Tozer is the secretary of the Gundagai-Adelong Race Club, a position he has held for the past 45 years.
The long-serving and highly respected Gundagai official said it was a huge honour to be given the award.
"This is certainly a great honour," Tozer said.
"I didn't even expect to be nominated.
"The finalists have all contributed greatly to the Southern District Racing Association, as well as racing throughout NSW and interstate.
"It's a great honour just to be on the list with friends like Dave Heywood, Richard Freyer, Col Lyons and Graham Power so I'm very humbled by this award."
Tozer was given the nod ahead of finalists Richard Freyer, Dave Heywood, Graham Power and Col Lyons.
He is just the second winner of the award after Leeton trainer Peter Clancy took out the inaugural prize last year.
Tozer plays a major role in the organising of the highly successful Snake Gully Cup carnival.
During his time as secretary, he has seen significant improvements to the Gundagai facilities, including upgrades of the C E Redford Building, bookmakers ring, grandstand, dining room and bar.
He has also been a key figure in Gundagai rebuilding its track, twice, after devastating floods in 2010 and 2012.
Tozer has also been a bookmakers clerk since 1969 and worked for the late Dick Jones and Bruce McCarthy at meetings throughout SDRA.
He has also owned a number of racehorses, most notably the great Carvalin, a winner of 27 races.
Carvalin won the Snake Gully Cup, three Tumut Cups and two Gundagai Cups.
SDRA secretary Scott Sanbrook said Tozer was a popular winner of the award.
"It is a very well deserved honour to someone who has given so much to the racing industry over a period spanning close to five decades," Sanbrook said.
"Len's not only a hard worker for Gundagai and racing in general, but he's also an extremely popular identity."