One of the greatest jockeys to have ridden in Australia in the early years, Bobby Lewis has joined the Australian Racing Hall of Fame announced in Melbourne tonight.

Bobby Lewis was born in Victoria in 1878 and rode successfully for more than 40 years.

His partnership with the master trainer James Scobie proved a formidable combination and his big-race record is remarkable with no jockey winning more VRC Derbies (eight), VRC Oaks (seven) or SAJC St Legers (eight) than he did.

Along with Harry White, Lewis is one of only two jockeys to have won four Melbourne Cups (The Victory, Patrobas, Artilleryman and Trivalve).

The win of Trivalve in 1927 would have given Lewis a great thrill. The then 49 year-old ate nothing for nearly a week and lived on water in an effort to make the colt's weight of 7.6. Luckily he did as Trivalve won by a length.