Sheikh Mohammed, ruler of Dubai, is the biggest racehorse owner in the world, while the Ingham's operation was the largest in the southern hemisphere. No matter what, the Inghams will be remembered for their part in making Australian racing what it is today. One of Australia's greatest jumps trainer was none other than Jim Houlahan even though he decided to devote time to the profession later at the age of 57 in 1970.
Prior to becoming a jumps trainer, Houlahan was a successful building contractor who also owned a jumping horse. What probably prompted him to take up training was advice from his trainer who objected to Houlahan lending him some tips. Under his own watchful eyes, his horse won the very next start. Strasbourg was the first to bring Houlahan fame as a jumps trainer in the Grand National Steeplechase. The race marked the beginning of an illustrious career which included seven Grand National Hurdle titles, four Grand Annual Steeplechase and Hiskens Steeplechase titles, three Great Eastern Steeplechases, and eight Australian Hurdle titles, a record yet to be equaled in Australian racing.
Apart from jump races, Houlahan achieved success in flat races that included talented horses like Bellzevir, Toil, and Unsolved. Bellzevir won the 1997 Group 1 Goodwood Handicap, when Houlahan was in the prime of life at 84. While training jump race horses was an art Houlahan mastered, he was known to be a shrewd punter in his early years. Training well into his late 80s, Houlahan became an inspiration for many trainers.