Mr Leckie spent 23 years on the club’s committee, serving as either vice-chairman or chairman for more than two decades.

The highly-respected racing identity died in January following a lengthy battle with health issues.

In a nod to his legacy, Scone Race Club’s Function Centre has now been named the ‘Noel Leckie Room’.

“It was a lovely gesture, and the Leckie family really appreciated it,” operations manager Donna McKinnon said.

“The committee just decided that it was something they’d like to do. 

“The centre wasn’t named anything before and now it has a bit more character.

“We had a minute’s silence [for him] as well.

“There was a slight delay when the rain came down and the whole place went quiet, which was really touching.”

A few minutes after Scone trainer Rod Northam’s talented gelding Red Knot claimed the Darley Stallions Benchmark 60 Showcase Handicap, his outstanding sprinter, Big Money, also worked down the middle of the track as part of a memorial to Mr Leckie.

The club named its Country Cup, at its May Cup Carnival, the Noel Leckie Memorial Country Cup, too.

Mr Northam said the former long-time stalwart was “great for racing and a great bloke”.

“He was behind a push for increased prize money and getting more [money] to improve tracks,” he said.

“Country Racing NSW is in debt to him for a lot of what he’s done.

“He turned a one-day carnival into two days and it’s gone from strength-to-strength ever since then.

“He’s been a great supporter of mine and other local trainers.”