The Peter Simpson Memorial Handicap, which has been sponsored by Deniliquin Freighters, will be race five on today’s program.
Simpson was the club’s treasurer from 2011 and was made a life member of the Racing Club in 2023.
He was described by Racing Club member Peter Rae as “an old fashioned bank manager … with an analytical mind”, and was the ideal person when the club was seeking a treasurer.
“He had the time, the skills and interest in horse racing that made Peter the perfect man for the job. He played a big part in the club being in a sound financial position today,” Rae said.
Simpson had a sharp wit and a dry humour.
In his professional life he held senior roles in the ANZ Bank in Deniliquin, Jerilderie and Canberra and helped many small businesses in the area borrow money to buy farms and expand.
After the bank, Simpson was a regular on the Deniliquin Golf Course playing both competition and socially, often playing the back nine in the summer evenings, which was a short walk from where he and wife Margaret lived.
He was a stalwart of the Deniliquin Club and did not miss many Melbourne Cup Calcutta evenings, an event that is now named in his honour.
Simpson loved all sports, in particular golf, cricket, football and horse racing. He was a passionate Fitzroy and Brisbane Lions supporter and took great delight in the Lions’ success.
He is fondly remembered and sadly missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him, and his contribution to the Racing Club will be honoured with today’s race.
It will be one of the feature events on the program, the other being the Deniliquin RSL Club Diggers’ Cup.
A bumper crowd is expected at today’s race meeting, which will be the only major sporting event in Deniliquin this afternoon.
There will be a huge line-up of entertainment and family fun, including fashions on the field, live music, bar and refreshments, with TAB facilities plus local and metropolitan bookmakers for the avid punter. For the football fans, the big clash between Collingwood and Essendon will be live on the big screen.
Anzac Day action will continue in the evening, with the tradition of Two-up returning to the RSL Club from 7.30pm.
The Race Club is encouraging everyone to purchase their 2025 memberships.
They are currently on sale for $60 which entitles the member to entry on both race days this year, the other being on Saturday October 18, coinciding with the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne and The Everest in Sydney. It also gives entry into the $500 lucky member’s draw on October 18.
Membership payments can be made to BSB 633-000, account 146 592 142, and please use your surname as a reference. Call Col McMahon on 0428 266 730 for more information.
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