No longer involved with racehorse ownership ("I was too emotional!"), preferring professional detachment, Geoff does not however rule it out in the future.

"If I retire from bookmaking I'd love to race horses again," he said - "in fact, I would love the thrill of breeding and racing my own horse."

A full time bookmaker by the early seventies, Geoff also started up a licensed grocery/Tattslotto agency business - at the time being the only person in Victoria to hold a liquor, Tatt's andbookmaking licence at the same time.

By this time a regular feature at all metropolitan courses (in the centre flat at Moonee Valley, on the Hill at Flemington and in the outer ring at Sandown), Geoff became a member of the VBA committee in 1986.

Retiring last year after 16 years on that committee, Geoff spent nine years as Vice Chairman and five as Chairman. He remains a nominee on the registration board.

Achieving much during that time, Geoff is most proud of the VBA's progress regarding the introduction of telephone betting, the reduction of turnover tax and bookmaker's fees and the provision of free entry to racecourses for bookmakers and their staff.

Unfortunately what he considers the VBA's finest achievement - the abolishment of permanent stands, is something that is now back in place, Racing Victoria reinstating the system two years ago.

"It was extremely disappointing," said Geoff, "a backward step." "The abolishment of permanent stands provided equality for all bookmakers," he continued.

Hoping that "justice will again prevail" in regards to this issue, Geoff meanwhile is happy to look back at the positives of his career in racing.

The highlight of that career? Following in his father's footsteps... "working alongside my father on the rails."

A few years down the track and Geoff had enjoyed the involvement of his sons, all three of them (Andrew, Matthew and Luke) at some stage working with him.

Married to Vera for 38 years, Geoff has ten grandchildren (with another on the way) and he enjoys yearly visits to his two overseas based sons in Hong Kong and Japan.

Back to racing, and Geoff can look back at the deeds of the "many wonderful horses" he has seen over the years.

Nominating Tulloch as the classiest, Geoff also has soft spots for Rising Fast, Kingston Town and Sunline - the horse he says is "by far the best mare I have ever seen."

Certain jockeys have also impressed Geoff - namely Neville Sellwood and George Moore but mostly Damien Oliver.

"He is the best," he said, "just superb. He can ride at any track in any race from 1000m to 3200m - he always gives his horse the best opportunity."

With trainers, Geoff has most respect for the father and daughter Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse, admiring the latter's perseverance when initially blocked in her application for a trainers licence.

As well as her skill in promoting racing - "she has the charisma," he said, "she is a great racing advocate and a complete professional."

Two other trainers hold special places in Geoff's memory - his good friend Ken Sweeney with whom he raced a number of horses (enjoying several provincial wins and a couple in town) and the astute Jim Cerchi.

"He had the best eye for a horse of anyone I've come across," he said.

Always a devotee of the racehorse, Geoff finds the idea of there being too much time between races a nonsensical one – urging racegoers to enjoy the process of watching the horses and their connections and riders in the birdcage and the mounting yard before heading to the betting ring.

"The colour, the smells, the atmosphere - it is all great," he said, adding that his biggest fear for racing is its overexposure.
"It is not all about the dollar," he said, "it is about putting on entertainment... the seven day a week racing mentality is diminishing the sport's appeal."

In saying that, Geoff remains confident that racing and bookmaking will remain an integral part of Australian culture - "it is a diminishing industry," he said - recalling the days of three betting rings at each metropolitan track - "but it is still a great one."

At the annual dinner at The Windsor in December last year, Geoff Donald was awarded life time membership of the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association. He described it as "an accolade that I did not expect and really cherish. I really love bookmaking and to be honoured by my peers is a rich achievement, it was great."