LONG-serving Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) president David Wallace was recognised for his contribution to racing at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Friday night.
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Wallace was presented the Special Achievement Award at the SDRA Awards Night.
The award came on the same day as Wallace tendered his resignation from the SDRA committee after about 20 years as president.
He stood on the committee since 1970.
Wallace stood down from the Albury Racing Club committee in September after 50 years and followed suit from the SDRA at Friday’s annual general meeting.
Wallace said while his formal involvement may have finished, he will forever stay a racing man.
“I’ll always have a horse,” Wallace said.
“My old man (Alston) was in racing, he was in the SDRA for 20 years, I took over from him as the Albury delegate.
“I had an interest in racing so I decided to get on the Albury committee and then never got off. I decided last year when they elected me president again at Albury that this was it.”
Wallace won his first race as a owner at the Hay picnics in 1960 and never looked back.
“That race at Hay, for winning, I got a five pound pewter mug...and I was hooked,” he said.
Wallace believes the SDRA plays an important role in giving clubs a voice and hopes it remains for many years to come.
During his tenure, Wallace is proudest of the general administration, the quality of stewards panel and the increasing professionalism.
