Blake Shinn continues to build on his extraordinary success since his return from Hong Kong three years ago, claiming his third straight Scobie Breasley Medal, and fourth overall, at the 2025 Victorian Racing Awards.
Shinn first won Victorian racing’s highest individual honour as an apprentice in 2005, but his decision to come back to Australia in 2022 has elevated him to one of the best jockeys in the country and clearly the best in Victoria.
In 2024/25, he claimed both the Victorian and Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premierships and was adjudged the clear winner of the Scobie Breasley Medal having polled 60 votes.
“Standing there tonight receiving another Scobie Breasley Medal around my neck is something I’ll never take for granted,” Shinn said on a social media post.
“To have earned this honour across multiple seasons is a privilege that means just as much now as it did the very first time. This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to the people who stand beside me every day, challenging me to improve, and to the trainers and owners who trust me to give absolutely everything each time I ride.
“It’s also for the quiet achievers of our sport - the early risers, the late finishers and those working in the shadows to keep racing alive. Without them, none of us would be here.”
“I’m really proud to call being a jockey my job and also to compete alongside riders who make Victorian racing world-class, pushing each other to deliver our very best every time we step onto the track. Finally, to the stewards who recognised my efforts throughout the season, thank you. This will definitely fuel my drive to keep lifting the standard, season after season!”
Daniel Stackhouse finished second with 46 votes, followed by Jamie Mott in third place (44), five-time Scobie Breasley Medallist Craig Williams in fourth (40) and Jamie Melham rounding out the top five on 32 votes.
Cox Plate heroine Via Sistina was awarded the Victorian Racehorse Of The Year, a sixth success in the category for her trainer Chris Waller, with 79 votes.
Matt Laurie was awarded the Most Outstanding Training Performance, while Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood received the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award.
Damian Lane and Logan Bates were honoured by their peers as the respective winners of the VJA Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey and the VJA Rising Star awards.
Steve Pateman received the Tommy Corrigan Medal for the 10th time as the leading jumps jockey, while Ciaron Maher was awarded the Fred Hoysted Medal in recognition of finishing atop the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership for the fifth season in succession.
The Lindsay Park Racing team of Ben, JD and Will Hayes won the overall Victorian Trainers’ Premiership after preparing 240 winners across the state.
Matt Stewart
