Melbourne Cup legend and Royal Ascot winner Harry White dies at 78

Harry White, who landed Australia's most famous race four times in six years in the 1970s, has died at the age of 78.

White wrote his name into the Melbourne Cup record books with victories on Think Big in 1974 and 1975, Arwon in 1978 and Hyperno in 1979.

His record in the race is matched only by Bobbie Lewis, although two current jockeys, Damien Oliver and Kerrin McEvoy, are striving to join the legendary pair on four winners next month.

White also won two Caulfield Cups, five Australian Cups, three Newmarket Handicaps and a Cox Plate. He was also a winner at Royal Ascot thanks to Greenland Park's victory in the 1978 Queen Mary Stakes.

Victoria Racing Club [VRC] chairman Neil Wilson said White was considered one of the best jockeys Australia had seen.

"Harry had an intuitive touch with a horse and a remarkable ability to get them to settle and perform at their best," Wilson said.

"He rode in a golden era of jockeys and emerged as not only one of the most successful, but one of the most well-liked to ever compete at Flemington.

"He enjoyed a competitive rivalry with Roy Higgins throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, which included one of the great finishes in the Melbourne Cup in 1979 with Harry on Hyperno narrowly beating Roy on Salamander."

Over a 36-year career in the saddle, White won 2,112 races, including 59 at Group 1 level. He also won the Melbourne jockeys' premiership four times and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.

Wilson added: "He had a strong association with top trainers Bart Cummings, George Hanlon and Angus Armanasco – all fellow members of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame – and was loved by everyone in racing.

"His popularity accompanied him into retirement, which saw Harry gift his entire trophy collection to the VRC and set up the Harry White Trust to assist people in the racing industry in need.

"The VRC extends its condolences to Harry’s children Dean, Brent and Karen."

The VRC will acknowledge White’s death throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with further details to be released shortly.