WA Harness Racing Icons Tennessee Sky and The Falcon Strike Elevated to Hall of Fame Status
Two of Western Australia's most celebrated pacers, Tennessee Sky and The Falcon Strike, have been officially elevated to Hall of Fame status, marking a prestigious recognition of their outstanding contributions to harness racing history. The induction will be celebrated at a gala function scheduled for March 21, honoring these legendary horses and their remarkable achievements on the track.
Tennessee Sky: A Champion of the 1950s
Tennessee Sky, owned by prominent WA trotting identity Eddie Nevard, secured his place in history by winning the 1954 Inter Dominion championship in South Australia. This victory came before a massive crowd of 47,000 enthusiastic spectators, cementing his status as a crowd favorite. The year prior, he finished as runner-up to Kiwi mare Blue Mist in the 1953 Inter Dominion final held in Perth.
Trained by Frank Kersley, Tennessee Sky retired with an impressive record, including 12 victories at Gloucester Park and an additional 10 wins at Sydney's Harold Park circuit. His legacy endures through memorabilia, such as his silks and Inter Dominion trophy, preserved at the property of Eddie Nevard's son, serving as a testament to his enduring impact on the sport.
The Falcon Strike: A Modern-Day Legend
Half a century later, another New Zealand-bred pacer captivated Perth harness racing fans. The Falcon Strike, a three-year-old maiden, entered the Hazelmere stables of trainer Gary Hall Sr and quickly made a name for himself. Heavily backed in his state debut, the colt comfortably defeated top local juvenile Disco Force and went on to accumulate a series of wins in his early appearances.
After his first five WA races, Gary Hall Sr handed the reins to his then 19-year-old son, Gary Hall Jr, forging one of the most formidable partnerships in harness racing. Hall Jr, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019, credits The Falcon Strike with launching his career, stating, "He put me on the map. I could drive him with confidence, and even if I made a little error along the way, he was good enough and tough enough to pull his way out of it. He just had an amazing will to win like all the good, tough ones—he just loved competing and loved winning."
Known for his ruthless and relentless on-pace style, The Falcon Strike often found himself in challenging positions but consistently rallied with divine efforts to reclaim leads. He now joins the Hall of Fame alongside other legends, such as the brilliant triple Inter Dominion winner Im Themightyquinn, who was promoted in 2017. Reflecting on this, Hall Jr added, "If I hadn't have had Falcon before I had Quinny, Quinny might not have won the number of big races he did. He taught me so much about how to perform in the big races and mainly because he was so tough. He knew he was pretty good, and he was a massive stepping stone for my career. I'm really happy to see him go into the Hall of Fame."
Gary Hall Jr's Upcoming Competition
In related news, Gary Hall Jr is set to fly to Queensland later this week to compete in the Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park. After finishing second in last year's series behind Angus Garrard, the champion reinsman will once again represent the Gloucester Park Gurus slot. He will accumulate points across two nights of racing on Friday and Saturday, aiming for the title.
Hall Jr is currently a $5 co-favorite to win the championship, sharing this status with last weekend's Hunter Cup-winning driver Cam Hart. Other contenders in the lineup include Angus Garrard, Luke McCarthy, Pete McMullen, and James Herbertson, all priced at $6, while James MacDonald ($7), Robbie Morris ($8), Zac Butcher ($9), and Trista Dixon ($11) round out the competitive field.
This induction not only honors the past glories of Tennessee Sky and The Falcon Strike but also highlights the ongoing legacy of excellence in WA harness racing, with figures like Gary Hall Jr continuing to make their mark on the sport today.
