This week’s guest is former talented jockey Larry Olsen who tells the story of his nightmare struggle with weight. In this podcast he recalls his apprenticeship with Mal Barnes, and the horses that kick started his career. He talks of the tortures of the sweat box, and how he eventually had to walk away from racing to save his sanity. Larry also reflects on three years out of the game, and his decision to attempt a comeback. And what a comeback! A Melbourne Cup and a Golden Slipper and the abili...
Dec 11, 2018•51 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Punters were completely puzzled when the name J. Van Overmeire started to appear in Sydney race fields, just over two years ago. They quickly learned that the young jockey was apprenticed to Bjorn Baker, and they quickly learned that he could ride a bit. One hundred and fifty two winners later, Jean is accepted by both punters and trainers alike. His journey through several countries makes a fascinating story, and Jean is happy to share it with us on the podcast.
Dec 04, 2018•34 min•Season 1Ep. 52
In Part 2 Fred Kersley talks about the struggle he had to gain his thoroughbred trainer’s licence. It’s a treat to hear the maestro reminisce about the champion Northerly, who catapulted him to the upper echelon of galloping trainers.
Dec 04, 2018•30 min•Season 1Ep. 51
It’s hard to believe Fred Kersley is approaching his 80th birthday. The remarkable horseman is just as passionate today, as he was at any stage of his career. And what a career it’s been. 2,288 winners as a harness trainer in WA, and even more as a driver. Sixteen training premierships, and more as a driver. It took Fred a while to gain his license to train gallopers, but he’s made up for lost time. He’s won 544 races with the thoroughbreds, and has prepared four million dollar plus horses. One ...
Dec 04, 2018•30 min•Season 1Ep. 50
If you think Lettsy was at his entertaining best in Part 1, you ain't heard nothin' yet! In Part 2 he really hits top gear, beginning with that fateful day in November 1972, when he realised the dream of every Australian jockey.
Nov 27, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 49
John Letts deserves his ranking in the upper echelon of Australia’s jockeys. He won more than 2300 races including two Melbourne Cups, despite a couple of very serious injuries. He garnered even more fame as post race interviewer for Channels 7 and 10, during twenty one Melbourne Cup carnivals. John’s mount each year was a lovable little quarter horse called Banjo, who knew his job backwards. John Letts is a real raconteur, who can tell a racing yarn better than most. We just let him run. That’s...
Nov 27, 2018•35 min•Season 1Ep. 48
As a kid in Tasmania, Denise Martin often went to the races with her dad. The magic of racing was on her mind, throughout the years she spent in the hospitality industry. Some years later she decided to become a racehorse syndicator, and Star Thoroughbreds was born in 1992. Denise has brought much joy to many people, and has been responsible for some outstanding racehorses. She talks about her exciting twenty six years in the business.
Nov 20, 2018•35 min•Season 1Ep. 47
We introduce two determined women on this week’s podcast. Firstly it’s Betty Lane, sometimes called the grande dame of Australia’s female horse trainers. Betty got a blunt refusal, the first time she applied for an AJC licence in the early seventies. She went to the bush, gained a license in the western districts, and promptly won three premierships. The next time she fronted the AJC Licensing Committee, they could hardly say no.
Nov 20, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 46
For trot fans, we welcome to the podcast Menangle trainer Darren McCall. From a strong harness racing background,Darren has a tremendous passion for the standard bred horse. He was away from Australia for eleven years, working for Noel Croghan in New Jersey, and later training in is own right in Ontario Canada. He talks of the horses and horse people he has known, and pays tribute to his greatest supporter, his wife Karina.
Nov 13, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 45
We talk to broadcasting legend Alan Thomas, who quit race calling three years ago after a distinguished career. This bloke was one of the most versatile commentators of his generation. He called many sports with equal flare and passion, but his race calling endeared him to thousands of racing fans. Al’s got a million stories, and tells them in his trademark style.
Nov 13, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Great to catch up with champion jockey Brett Prebble, who has decided to come home after fifteen rewarding seasons in Hong Kong. Brett didn’t win a premiership, but finished second to Douglas Whyte six times. The kid from Ballarat started his journey at Stawell, destined to reach the pinnacle of his profession. Fifty Gr 1’s and a Melbourne Cup are testimony to his talents, and he ain’t finished yet!
Nov 13, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Pat Webster began his racing life, as an apprentice jockey with trainer Betty Lane at Geurie(NSW). He graduated to Sydney where his riding career took off, but was abruptly halted by a nasty race fall. Pat talks about his six years out of racing, before he decided to become a trainer. Three Group 1 wins with the remarkable Happy Clapper have capped his rewarding career. You’ll get a chuckle out of Pat’s trip down memory lane.
Nov 05, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Australian harness racing has never seen a better driver than Gavin Lang. Now nearing 60, the master reinsman has a staggering total of 6,150 winners to his credit. He reflects on his favourite horses and horse people, and the mystery illness that gave him an almighty fright a decade ago.
Oct 30, 2018•34 min•Season 1Ep. 41
The Inglis Digital Online Auction has produced some exciting results, since its’ introduction in May 2017. SA trainer Mark Minervini showed great judgement in buying a mare from Kalgoorlie last December. That mare cost $20,000 and has won $120,000. Mark talks about his training career so far, and his hopes for the future.
Oct 30, 2018•27 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Melbourne jockey Stephen Baster is nudging up towards 1500 career winners, and has a healthy haul of 14 Gr1 successes. The father of two, is in top form this Spring with a Moonee Valley double on Friday night, and a Geelong Cup win last week. He’s hoping Runaway makes the Cup field, because he loves riding in the iconic race.
Oct 30, 2018•28 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Our podcast guest is Alan Bailey, who retired from the training ranks six years ago with 3000 winners under his belt. This is a remarkable figure for a man who gave up a career as a greenkeeper on the NSW Central Coast, and became a trainer at age 30. Alan has many a racing yarn to tell, and shares them with us on this week’s podcast.
Oct 23, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 38
On the trots trail we welcome to the podcast, popular Gavin Fitzpatrick. He’s a talented driver with 1500 winners to prove it. Gav’s a hard worker, who just gets on with the business of winning races for his multiple premiership winning dad, Paul Fitzpatrick.
Oct 16, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 37
When Greg Miles called Almandin’s Melbourne Cup in 2016, his name went into the history books. He nudged past the great Bill Collins, to set a new Australian record of 36 Cup calls. A short time later, Greg surprised friends and associates when he announced his retirement. He joins us on the podcast to explain his reasons for retirement, and to talk about the many highs, and one devastating low in his colourful career.
Oct 16, 2018•40 min•Season 1Ep. 36
A delight to welcome to the podcast, Rachel King who has burst onto the Sydney racing scene in a big way, since arriving from England only four years ago. For the first year she had to travel to places she’d never heard of, in order to ride a winner. Now she has 200 winners to her credit, a Sydney Apprentices Premiership, and the biggest prize of all, a coveted Group 1.
Oct 16, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Brian talks about the fall that ended his career sixteen years ago. He reflects on a career that brought him 2000 winners and 35 Group 1 majors. He rode some of Australia’s best horses including Might And Power. Together they won seven races. Brian brings us up to date with his racing involvement in 2018.
Oct 09, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Had Jim Douglass not seen harness racing on TV at home one night, he may not be in the business today. It prompted him to complete work experience in a harness stable, and from that moment on, he was hooked.
Oct 02, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Darren Gauci’s farewell race day at Caulfield last year, was one of the most emotional ever seen. Respected by all sections of the industry, Darren won 2500 races, and 35 Gr 1’s. He talks about his career highlights, and the launch of his new book “The Gauch”.
Oct 02, 2018•41 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Tim Clark talks about his beginnings in the bush with country trainer Peter Clancy, to a couple of exciting seasons in Hong Kong, to a place among the elite of Sydney jockeys.
Oct 02, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 31
The powerful Lindsay Park training empire has dominated South Australian racing since 1965. Adelaide trainers have always struggled to compete, but Leon Macdonald has managed to win two premierships in his own right. He talks about his life in racing on this week’s podcast.
Sep 25, 2018•24 min•Season 1Ep. 30
There’s no more highly thought of trainer in Victoria than multiple Group 1 winner Pat Carey. The likeable horseman learned his trade from the respected trainer John Meagher, who became his brother in law. Pat has some great racing yarns to tell, and is delighted to share them with you on our podcast.
Sep 18, 2018•42 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Racehorse syndication reached a new horizon in 2014 when German galloper Protectionist brilliantly won the Melbourne Cup. Australian Bloodstock sourced the horse,handled all negotiations and syndicated a large number of shares to Australian owners. The same company hopes to have multiple representation in this years Cup. Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett are the driving force behind Australian Bloodstock, and Co Director Luke Murrell joins us on the podcast.
Sep 18, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Joining us on the podcast is expatriate Kiwi jockey Jason Collett who rode 94 winners last season, against a powerful line up of NSW jockeys. Jason’s parents were jockeys, his Uncle Jim was one of New Zealand’s best riders, his two sisters have ridden Group 1 winners, and his cousin Samantha has ridden more than 600 winners. Jason also holds the distinction of being the very first jockey to win on Winx.
Sep 18, 2018•28 min•Season 1Ep. 27
We chat with a lady who has never let go of her dream. Melbourne based Victoria Shaw has been trying to find a livelihood as a race caller for more than twenty years. She has had to be content with guest appearances all over the world, building up a strong fan base along the way. Her story is a fascinating one.
Sep 11, 2018•49 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Twenty nine year old Kerry Ann Turner realised a dream recently, when she was crowned champion NSW trainer for the 2017/18 season. Kerry grew up in the Riverina where trotting is almost compulsory, and has climbed to the upper echelon of trainers and drivers in her home state.
Sep 04, 2018•25 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Many of Bryan Martin’s friends were surprised when he quit race calling at age 57 in 2007. They were not one bit surprised when he decided on a comeback for Radio SEN, three years later. He stayed on for another 7 years before announcing his official retirement. Bryan talks about an exciting career, and the fascinating people he worked with.
Sep 04, 2018•44 min•Season 1Ep. 24
