Racing legend George Moore dies, aged 84

George Moore, ranked alongside Scobie Breasley as the greatest ever Australian jockey, has died in Sydney at the age of 84.

The Queenslander dominated the country's racing in the 1950s and '60s and formed a formidable partnership with legendary trainer Tommy Smith.

He was also well-known in Europe, particularly during a brief spell as stable jockey to Noel Murless in 1967, when the pair won the Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and both Guineas.

He also rode in France, winning the 1959 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for trainer Alec Head and owner Prince Aly Khan on Saint Crespin in a race full of drama.

In a five-way blanket finish Saint Crespin actually dead-heated with Midnight Sun, who was demoted to second by the stewards.

Nicknamed 'Cotton Fingers', Moore was 10 times champion jockey in Sydney and landed 119 Australian Group One victories - the highest ever achieved.

Moore, who was one of the first inductees into Australian racing's Hall Of Fame in 2001, was also the father of Arc-winning jockey Gary Moore.

Jimmy Lindley, who was also offered the Murless job in 1967 but already had an agreement with Jeremy Tree, said: "George was one of the first world ambassadors for racing.

"Frankie Dettori will ride from here to Timbuktoo, but in the old days that did not happen.

"George was a funny man, but very much kept himself to himself and he brought his whole family over to England when he started riding for Murless.

"They won everything together, but I think he was seen at his very best a few years earlier in France riding for Alec Head.

"It's very sad news. George was a worldwide icon, in the same class as Lester Piggott and Gordon Richards."

Moore had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had endured two heart bypasses in recent years. He died at a nursing home surrounded by family and is survived by his wife Iris and his trainer sons Gary and John.