Hall of Famer Pat Hyland Dies Aged 84; Six-Decade Champion Jockey-Trainer Legacy

Pat Hyland, the Port Fairy-raised jockey who went on to become a Group 1-winning trainer and Australian Racing Hall of Famer, has died aged 84. Racing Victoria confirmed his death on March 2, 2026 and released a family statement saying, "Pat passed away peacefully today. He was surrounded by all of his kids and grandkids and with his beloved wife Maree by his side."

Racing Victoria described Hyland’s passing as "following a long battle with illness." 7NEWS reported that Hyland had suffered from Alzheimer’s; that detail is attributed to 7NEWS reporting. The Victorian Jockeys Association and Racing Victoria carried tributes and industry statements after the family announcement.

Hyland’s career stretched more than six decades and included induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2016, where he was "recognised for excellence as both a jockey and trainer," Racing Victoria said. Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison paid tribute, saying, "Pat’s list of achievements and contribution to the sport across six decades is incredible and he sits comfortably among the greats of thoroughbred racing in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame," and added, "Speaking to those who saw him ride, it’s clear that Pat was fiercely competitive on the track, regarded as a master tactician, an astute judge, and was a highly respected professional in every way."

Hyland’s riding CV reads like an Australian classics roll call. He first tasted major success in the 1963 Victoria Derby and rode three straight Australian Cups at Flemington from 1964 to 1966. He won the 1965 Cox Plate aboard Star Affair and claimed the 1969 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Vain, one of 12 wins from 14 starts aboard the champion sprinter and later sire Vain, 7NEWS reported. He won the Caulfield Cup in 1984 aboard Affinity — Yahoo/AU News noted he was 43 at the time — and lifted the Melbourne Cup in 1985 on What a Nuisance, a moment captured in photos showing Hyland with the trophy in front of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, media coverage noted. Racing Victoria described him as "one of only a handful" to complete the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper; 7NEWS (AAP) reported a specific figure, calling him "one of only eight jockeys" to reach that grand slam.

Hyland’s riding career was punctuated by a serious fall in 1984 that broke his shoulder, arm and several ribs, 7NEWS reported, and 7NEWS also noted he "retired five years later to take up training." Yahoo/AU News gives a retirement year of 1990; both accounts appear in contemporary reporting. His son Chris told 7NEWS in 2020 that "He rode trackwork until he was 74 and then he slowed down a little bit in the last few years." In 2022 Hyland went missing from the family property at Nar Nar Goon; he left around 4.30am and was found in Pakenham nearly six hours later, 7NEWS reported.

As a trainer Hyland handled Group 1 winners including Zarita and Bonaria and trained Saleous to the 1995 VRC Oaks, 7NEWS reported. He scaled back his operation and joined son Chris at the start of the 2018-19 season, and Racing Victoria says he "formally retired from training in 2020 due to ill health and to spend greater time with his wife Maree at their family property in Nar Nar Goon North."

Hyland served as president of the Victorian Jockeys Association in earlier years and his son Matthew now serves as VJA chief executive. VJA operations officer Matt Pumpa said, "In sharing our condolences and deepest sympathies with Pat's wife Maree and their six children, our thoughts at this time are especially with our CEO Matthew." Racenet described Hyland as an "all-time 'great,' 'Victorian icon' and 'shining light' for the sport" and noted his advocacy to improve jockey safety, working conditions and financial rewards.

He leaves his wife Maree, daughter Joanne, sons Paul, Matthew, Chris, Samuel and Patrick, and 17 grandchildren. Aaron Morrison concluded Racing Victoria’s tribute by saying, "Racing and jockeys in particular are all the better for Pat Hyland’s contribution and we deeply mourn his passing.