DEDICATED Penola racing administrator Rob Lepley is the latest recipient of life membership of Limestone Coast Thoroughbred Racing (LCTR).
A visibly surprised Lepley received the award at a presentation as part of the recent Coonawarra Vignerons Cup meeting.
Lepley has been part of the Penola Racing Club committee for 30 years (and, as such, is a life member), and has spent “about 20 years on and off” being involved with LCTR as a delegate and also as vice president in more recent times.
“My family are here today but it still did not twig that something was in the wind,” Lepley said following the presentation.
“Mum (Rhonda) sometimes comes to the races, while my daughters have always wanted to come to a Vigneron’s cup meeting and today is the first time they have been able to manage it and get the day off.”
During his impromptu speech, Lepley urged “all the young guys here today to get together and race a horse. You will have a lot of fun along the way”.
In regards to Limestone Coast Thoroughbred Racing, his advice was “we (the clubs) must act together in order to go places.”
“It is no good trying to go to Adelaide on an individual club basis, and that is why Limestone Coast Racing has been so successful over the years as they are the voice of South East racing and have more clout,” Lepley said.
