Parkes Mayor Cr Ken Keith congratulated the family who are long term residents of the shire.

“This is a significant achievement for the family,” Cr Keith said.

“In selecting honourees, the Bathurst Harness Racing Club chooses those who have made a great contribution to the sport and to the Bathurst Gold Crown.

“The Hando family have been great contributors to the success of the series.”

Eric Hando, who recently turned 92, will be joined by his wife Dorothy (90), son Graeme, daughter-in-law Lyn and daughter Denise Boehm as guests of the Bathurst Club during the carnival which is shaping to be another huge success.

Rosewood Stud was established in the early 1900s by Eric's father William, who came from Victoria.

Graeme and Lyn continue to operate the stud as a Semen Transport Station and while they do not currently have a stallion standing, Rosewood is recognised as the oldest standard bred stud still in operation in Australia.

The Hando family have owned, raced and bred many top horses, too numerous to mention, however their significant involvement with the Bathurst Gold Crown has been as breeders, selling many yearlings through the Gold Crown Sale and producing the 2001 Gold Crown Final winner Dream Mover.

They have also bred a number of youngsters that have been placed in the feature event.

In making the announcement, Bathurst Harness Racing Club President, Mark Collins said that it was a unanimous decision by his board to name the Hando family as the 2012 Honourees following their significant support of the rich juvenile series since its inception 26 years ago.

This year's Gold Crown Carnival kicks off on Wednesday night, March 21.

Nearly $700,000 in prize money and trophies will be distributed over six race meetings during the series culminating with Grand Final night on Saturday, March 31.