Ledger was presented with the award by the CEO of Australian Trainers' Association Andrew Nicholl on Monday at the Wangaratta Turf Club.

He received a trophy and voucher plus will have a race named in his honour at Flemington this weekend.

The award is usually presented to the winning trainer at a function at Flemington.

But Nicholl made the trek from Melbourne to Wangaratta on Monday with no crowds allowed to attend Victorian race meetings due to COVID restrictions.

Ledger said it was a 'massive honour' to receive the award and join Gerald Egan (2017), Quinton Scott (2018) and Austy Coffer (2019) as recent recipients.

"It was a massive honour," Ledger said.

"It was fairly low key because of COVID restrictions and it was supposed to be in the members lounge at Flemington on Saturday in front of 250 people.

"But I appreciate Andrew taking the time to drive from Melbourne to present me with the award."

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Ledger has given a lifetime to racing.

He was introduced to racing at an early age with his father George Snr and older brother George Jnr both trainers.

Ledger rode track work at Corowa for the pair from the tender age of 12.

He gained his trainers licence in 1986 and initially trained from Yarrawonga before relocating to Wangaratta in 2000.

Ledger trained a string of talented gallopers including Love and Run, Blaze the Turf, Lago Lad, Soleil and Secret Toy Bizness.

But it was his association with bold frontrunner Brave Chief that put his name in the spotlight.

Brave Chief won 18 races including seven with Ledger's son Adrian aboard.

Adrian was tragically killed in a race fall at Corowa in 2005.

He was 25.

Brave Chief amassed $885,000 in career earnings with his victory in the Sandown Cup his biggest race success.

After more than four decades in the industry, Ledger has trained 471 winners.

Ledger attributed his longevity in the industry to his supportive wife, Kerri, with the pair married for 45 years.

He was also grateful for some loyal stable supporters including Tony Tabor, Frank and Marjia Vodusek and Julie Madgwick.

The trio have supported the stable for four decades with the Vodusek's owners of Brave Chief.

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