Greg Miles has signed off as a race caller after almost four decades of calling
After almost four decades broadcasting thoroughbred racing in Victoria, Greg Miles has signed off as a race caller.
Miles called home 22-year-old jockey Tom Sadler winning his first stakes race aboard Observational in Saturday’s feature race at Caulfield, the Group Three Easter Cup.
His final race description came in the final event which was named in his honour.
The Bravo Greg Miles (1600m) was taken out by Sadaqa and Miles didn’t need to decipher any close finish as the gelding was never in danger, winning by 2-1/4 lengths to give apprentice Chris Castera his first city win.
Miles made the decision late last year to call time on his career.
Miles called his first Melbourne thoroughbred meeting in December 1979 and has called a record 36 consecutive Melbourne Cups.
He has also called the same number of Cox Plates and Caulfield Cups.
In a presentation during Saturday’s meeting, Miles was awarded life membership of the Melbourne Racing Club.
Racing Victoria’s acting chief executive Giles Thompson presented Miles with a framed piece of memorabilia which included photos of five races considered among his greatest race calls.
“The past 37 years or so have gone so fast and it seems to have happened in a blur, really,” Miles said at the presentation.
“But I’m pleased to be here today and I think it’s the right time to be calling quits.
“I’m more than satisfied with the decision that I made back at the end of last year.”
Miles said he had been humbled by the well wishes, accolades, and media attention his final meeting as a race caller generated and what he described as an “almost embarrassing farewell tour” he has had recently calling from the various Victorian tracks for the final time.
“It’s nice to go out with a pat on the back rather than a kick up the bum, I suppose,” he said.
