Three-time Melbourne Cup and Everest champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy hopes his statue on Streaky Bay's foreshore inspires others in regional areas to chase their dreams.
The bronze statue by Port Lincoln artist Ken Martin was unveiled on Sunday opposite the community pub known for the loudest cheers each November when McEvoy rides in the Cup.
McEvoy grew up in the remote coastal town on South Australia's west coast, navigating his way to the world stage with an international career in Dubai and England for the Godolphin stable.
Statue fundraising committee member Sam Kirby said the $125,000 statue was a tribute to McEvoy but also a symbol to encourage the region's youth to strive to achieve their goals.
"It's about a small remote community town, a guy worked incredibly hard from such a young age having the obstacles of being remote, having to get to Adelaide to race, and then Melbourne and he worked hard," Ms Kirby said.
Local fundraising raised $90,000 for the project, while the state government also provided a grant.
Having a statue is 'quite remarkable'
It took a while for McEvoy to agree to the statue.
"I don't mind grabbing the limelight when I'm on the back of a horse but with my two feet on the ground it's a bit different," McEvoy said.
"Having a statue of yourself unveiled is quite remarkable and surreal.
"I must admit it's an out of body type feeling to see yourself immortalised in bronze.
McEvoy rode to fame with victory on Brew in the 2000 Melbourne Cup, repeating the feat on Almandin in 2016 and again on Cross Counter in 2018.
He also won three of the first four Everests, Australia's richest horse race.
Ken Martin said the sculpture was seven months' work but COVID border restrictions delayed the casting of the statue in Melbourne.
He said while Kerrin weighed 49 kilograms, his bronze likeness was about 100kg.
Ms Kirby said any future wins by the 41-year-old jockey would be added to the story of the sculpture through a website and QR code.
"Instead of just having the plaque on the sculpture, we've now got an interactive space where we can continually update his winnings," she said.
'A great ride in life'
Streaky Bay Mayor Travis Barber said the statue would be a drawcard for the town.
Kerrin's father former jockey Phil McEvoy said his son began riding at five years old on ponies and "was only a little tiny kid" when started doing track work most mornings before school.
"It's just been a great ride in life," Phil McEvoy said.
"If someone said to me what Kerrin's done and achieved to now to what he was back in those days, I would have laughed at them."
Kerrin McEvoy said the statue was not just about him but his family, including his jockey father and grandfather trainer Bill Holland.
"It's great to get some recognition for the McEvoy family and the Holland family who have been supporting country racing over on the Eyre Peninsula for over 100 years," he said.
"Even though it's me standing there, I personally can see a lot of people standing right alongside me.
"I hope it inspires the young kids to work hard and to really push to try and find the passion that you're interested in."
