Vale Jim Marconi

It is with sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) acknowledges the passing this week of former Mornington trainer and owner Jim Marconi.

Marconi, who would have celebrated his 88th birthday today, was first issued a trainers’ licence in Victoria in 1977 and held varying trainers’ licenses through until 2011.

His biggest successes as a trainer came courtesy of sprinter Rancho Ruler who landed the Group 1 Marlboro Cup, Maribyrnong Plate, Manikato Stakes, Memsie Stakes and Chirnside Stakes in a stellar period from 1986 to 1988.

Rancho Ruler, whom Marconi owned, would go on to continue his career at stud, with one his stakes winners being the Marconi owned and trained Pride of Rancho who won the Group 1 1993 VRC Sires Produce Stakes. 

That Sires Produce victory delivered Marconi back-to-back triumphs in the coveted juvenile feature after King Marauding’s win in 1992, that horse going on to obliterate his rivals in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes as a three-year-old.

Prior to taking out his licence, Marconi enjoyed success as an owner with Taras Bulba who won the 1974 AJC Derby, was runner-up in a Cox Plate and contested two Melbourne Cups.

RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said: “On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family and friends following the sad news of his passing this week. 

“The tributes to Jim that have flowed over the past 24 hours are testament to the standing which he had within Victorian racing community. He was a highly respected horseman who enjoyed success at the highest level as both a trainer and owner.”