Keith Dryden honoured with Life Membership

Champion Trainer and outstanding contributor Keith Dryden was honoured with a Life Membership of the Canberra Racing Club (CRC) by his fellow Members at last night’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

A legend of Canberra racing, Keith’s service is highlighted by his tenure as a Committee Member for over 22 years and a leading Trainer for over 40 years.

Keith has been involved in Canberra racing since 1966 as a Club Member when there were two Clubs in the ACT, the Canberra Racing Club and the ACT Jockey Club.

Taking out his Trainer’s license in 1983, Keith’s first winner was Movari at Canberra a year later. Tumble On was his first Sydney winner, a horse which went on to famously win the Villiers.

His other star horses include Roll On By, Coolroom Candidate, Into The Night and Handle The Truth who will line up in his fourth $2m Kosciuszko this Saturday at Royal Randwick.

Keith is a six-time winner of the Canberra Trainers premiership and has over 1,400 winners to his name.

Canberra Racing Club Chairman Les Boag said “Keith is a true legend of Canberra racing.”

“It was a great moment when the cheers and applause came from his peers upon confirmation of his Life Membership. It was a great example of the respect and admiration in which Keith is held within this industry.”

"Keith is a wise and strong voice for Thoroughbred racing in Canberra. His contributions on and off the track are extensive.”

Keith, during his time on the Committee contributed to many achievements including securing TAB Friday race meetings in 1999, establishing the Club as a Principal Racing Authority in 2001, overseeing a $10m redevelopment that included the construction of the revolutionary synthetic Acton Track in 2004, overseeing a Course Proper Reconstruction in 2007 and establishing the inaugural two-day Canberra Racing Carnival in 2020.