The Sale Turf Club honoured former club secretary, Helen Cantwell last Sunday, with the running of the Vale Helen Cantwell Maiden.
Cantwell passed away on ANZAC Day after a wonderful life at the ripe old age of 85, her imprint forever embedded in the history of the Sale Turf Club, who under her guidance became one of the leading club’s on the country Victorian racing circuit.
She was before her time, a female administrator in a male dominated domain, but she never took a backward step, serving as Sale secretary from 1967 to her retirement in 2003.
She later joined the Racecourse Committee of Management as a Trustee, serving until 2023.
Cantwell was a driving force behind the Sale Turf Club’s growth, her leadership securing major facility upgrades and the development of the racecourse into the envy of most in provincial Victoria.
In recognition of her outstanding service she was named the Lady of Racing in 1997 and awarded the Australian Government’s Sports Medal in 2000.
She was also a successful owner, racing several city class gallopers with the Cindy and Colin Alderson stable.
Cantwell was laid to rest on Monday in Sale, her legacy remains deeply embedded in heart and fabric of Sale Racing.
