The 70-year career of Toowoomba thoroughbred trainer Jim Atkins was acknowledged when he was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) medal.

Atkins, 86, said he was honoured to receive an OAM for his contribution to the industry over seven decades during which he trained more than 3,500 winners.

"It's a terrific thrill and it's good to see racing being recognised like this," Atkins said.

It is not the first time Atkins has been honoured for his achievements in racing.

He was inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall Of Fame at a gala ceremony last year in the trainer's category along with Bruce McLachlan and the late Fred Best.

Atkins began his training career in northern NSW in the mid-1930s before moving to Brisbane where he enlisted in the Army for World War II.

In a profile of Atkins published in the Queensland Racing magazine in February last year, he explained that after the war he returned to training for a short time in Brisbane before moving to Toowoomba.

He was given a lift to Ipswich and then rode one horse and led another to Toowoomba where his career rose to great heights.

Atkins has won the Brisbane trainers' premiership three times and been runner-up on another 11 occasions.

He rates Dalrello, Just Now, Grey Affair and Prince Ruling as among the best horses he trained during a career which has netted him 13 Group One wins.

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