Ryan, Kersley, Neill and Nolan receive Australia Day honours

Group 1-winning trainer Fred Kersley, Cressfield principal Bruce Neill, major owner and breeder Gerry Ryan and the late chairman of the Murray Bridge Racing Club Reg Nolan are among those to receive a 2026 Australia Day honours.

Tasmanian-based Neill, who has substantial breeding and racing interests, was one of 38 appointments as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO).

He was recognised for his distinguished service to the community through philanthropic support, to governance of medical research organisations, to the arts, and to cricket.

Neill, who built his wealth through his investment company Select Managed Funds, currently supports a host of major charities in Tasmania, while he is chair of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania.

Cressfield, located in the Hunter Valley, is a boutique breeding operation Neill has been principal of since 2000. Among its recent graduates are Stefi Magnetica, Personal and Nimalee.

Ryan, who has been a prominent breeder and owner, including success in the Melbourne Cup with Americain, Rekindling and Twilight Payment, was also awarded an AO for distinguished service to sports governance, to the tourism and hospitality industry, to business, and to the community through philanthropic contributions.    

Ryan, the founder of caravan manufacturer Jayco, has been chair of the Melbourne Cup foundation since 2020 and has also been heavily involved in cycling, rugby league and basketball.  

Kersley, a Western Australian racing Hall Of Fame member, best-known as the trainer of champion Northerly, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to horse racing.

Also, a champion harness racing driver, Kersley is one of the most revered figures in Western Australian racing.

His success with dual Cox Plate winner Northerly was legendary, while he also guided champion pacer Pure Steel through his career.

Nolan, who died in 2023, was the driving force behind the move of Murray Bridge Racing Club to its current location at Gifford Hill. He received his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) posthumously for his services to horse racing.

He was chairman of the club from 2002 until 2020 and was a board member from 1995 until 2003. He was also awarded life membership on Country Racing SA.

Upon his death, Murray Bridge Racing Club chairman John Leahy paid tribute to Nolan’s legacy.

“His leadership during our ambitious move to Gifford Hill was instrumental to the club achieving its goal,” Leahy said.

“The quote ‘success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm’ was never truer for Reg, particularly during the many challenging years it took and (despite) the hurdles the club faced.

“His determination, desire, stoicism and – on occasions – sheer pig-headiness as he worked tirelessly at the coal face was infectious to us all, and gave the committee the confidence and resolve during difficult times to push on to eventually realise what was and is a meritorious outcome.”

Others with a racing connection to be awarded OAMs included long-time Donald Racing Club committee member Leo Tellefson and Sunshine Coast Turf Club board member Travis Schultz.        

Geoffrey Bellew, currently the chair of the New South Racing Appeals Tribunal, was also honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), as was current chair of the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory Maryjane Crabtree, and former WA racing minister Terry Waldron.