Sporting pedigree: Josh Delacy feels the pride of dad Craig with inspired knock

The only thing missing from Josh Delacy’s amazing and probably history-making innings late last month was his favourite spectator being on the sidelines.

The impressionable 16-year-old realises it’s going to be that way for his whole sporting career.

But he knows his dad would be proud of him — and will travel with him to footy and cricket ovals near and far in spirit.

The Geraldton business and sporting community was rocked last December when Craig Delacy died, aged 43.

He was well known in the local liquor industry and was a part-owner of multiple Group 1 winning galloper Black Heart Bart.

Black Heart Bart ran an emotional favourite in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot just days after Delacy died on December 6.

Jockey Brad Rawiller, who spoke at Delacy’s funeral in Geraldton on December 15, described hearing of his death as a “real kick in the guts”.

“I had dinner with him after Black Heart Bart was runner-up in the Railway Stakes. What started as a business association turned into being great friends,” Rawiller said last December.

Craig Delacy was dad to Josh and his younger brothers, Taylor and Levi, and husband to Sue.

“Dad had a real passion for sport and was a massive fan of ours. He would take me around to the games and follow me closely,” Josh said.

The Year 11 student at Geraldton Senior College was thinking of his father last Sunday when he smashed an unbeaten 172 runs off 121 balls in a 40-over match for Towns in their under-17 clash with Bluff Point/Sportsmans.

His innings included 24 boundaries and one six.

One night in May, the roof nearly lifted off the Wonthella Bowling Club when it was announced Josh Delacy would make his league footy debut for Chapman Valley the next weekend.

Delacy kicked the opening goal in the night game against Towns and another in the final quarter.

“I was pretty nervous but ended with 11 touches,” he said.

He played another four league games this year.

Delacy, a right-handed No.3 batsman who puts his left pad on first, wasn’t nervous on Sunday as he touched up the attack.

“I saw them (balls) pretty well and it’s nice to be in form,” he said.

“But I know what it’s like not to be getting runs.

“My last three innings last year ended with no runs — two ducks in A-grade and the other in the under-17s.”

In December, Delacy will honour his dad and meet the recently retired horse that has given his family so much — on and off the track.

“I’m going to meet Black Heart Bart,” he said.

“He’s still with the trainer (Darren Weir) but we think he may be invited to the Living Legends farm for horses.”

The young Delacy may one day become just that — a living legend.