I’ve been wanting to catch up with the remarkable Clare Lindop for a long time. It’s hard to believe fifteen months have passed since the former trailblazing jockey called it quits. In a twenty year career Clare won 1432 races including 4 Gr 1’s and a long list of stakes events. She achieved several firsts. She was the first Aussie female to ride in a Melbourne Cup, and the first female to win the historic Victoria Derby. Clare talks of her early days in country Victoria and the move to South Au...
Sep 24, 2019•49 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Gary Harley entered another exciting phase of his career in 1988, when the Newcastle Knights entered the competition. He reflects on many happy years as the Knights official caller and the hysteria of their first premiership win. He pays tribute to the brilliant Luskin Star, the dynamic colt from the coalfields who won the 2YO Triple Crown in 1977. Gary recalls the best performers he got to call in the three codes. He talks of his current role in form analysis for Sky Thoroughbred Central and th...
Sep 17, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 142
In part 1 the affable Harley talks of his childhood days in Maitland and the influence of his father Jack, who was a racing tragic. Gary talks of his school days at the Maitland Marist Bros and the phantom Melbourne Cup call he was asked to provide every year. He talks of his passion for all sports and his own experiences in cricket and football. He tells a couple of stories about a young cricketer from Dungog who became a legend in later years. Gary looks back on the wonderful opportunity he re...
Sep 17, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Clare talks of her happy childhood on a Bairnsdale property and her earliest involvement with horses. She pays tribute to her parents Daniel and Julie who taught her the basics of horse management. Clare recalls her days as a nurse and the part time job she needed to supplement her income. She remembers the thrill of taking 5 horses to Queensland for top trainer Peter Moody. One of those horses was pretty special. The gifted horse woman looks back on the surprise offer she received from Peter Mo...
Sep 17, 2019•43 min•Season 1Ep. 140
In this segment the gentleman trainer pays tribute to his horse of a lifetime Sky Heights who won $4.2 million dollars in prize money. Colin reflects on all his major wins and the puzzling blood disorder which plagued him for the latter part of his career. Alderson talks of his thirty years as President of the Victorian Trainers Association, part of the time running the Australian operation. Colin speaks glowingly of the famous Cranbourne training centre which he believes will cater for 1000 hor...
Sep 10, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 139
The respected Victorian trainer talks of his childhood on a dairy farm at Seaford and of his hard working father’s love of the thoroughbred. Colin recalls his aspirations to become a jockey and his brief experience at the Drouin picnic races. He remembers with affection a mare called Byam Rose who launched his career as a trainer. Colin reflects on the career of his first genuine group performer Nicholas John, and the big plunge the horse landed in winning the AJC Metropolitan. He reminisces abo...
Sep 10, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Great to catch up with respected trainer Richard Jolly who talks of his newly formed training partnership with daughter Chantelle. He discusses the parlous state of prize money levels in SA and the exodus of trainers to other states. Richard looks back on his days as an apprentice jockey, and the thrill of riding a Group 1 winner at age 17. He talks of his transition to the training ranks, and the Derby win that launched phase two of his racing life. Richard pays tribute to the talented horses w...
Sep 03, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 137
In this segment “the Shadow” looks back on the arrival of satellite sports television in Australia. He was one of the pioneers. He talks of the humble origins of Club Superstation which later became Sky Channel. Graham reflects on the enormity of the home service which changed the face of racing in 1998. He looks back on many of his famous documentaries and reveals his own personal favourites.
Sep 03, 2019•22 min•Season 1Ep. 136
In segment 1 Graham talks of childhood days in his father’s Croydon Park butcher shop , and the second business that flourished behind the counter. He talks of his association with the dynamic Frank Kennedy who got him started as a race caller. Graham recalls his days as understudy to Des Hoysted and his unforgettable experience at the Bong Bong Cup. He talks of his low key key beginning at Channel 10 which led to his appointment as regular sports presenter on the station’s nightly news bulletin...
Sep 03, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 135
In part 2 Greg pays tribute to a horse he loved- the tough and aggressive Zeditave, winner of 14 from 17. Hall rode him in 11 of those wins. He fondly remembers his old favourite Subzero- the horse to give him his only Melbourne Cup success. He delights in telling the story about his one and only ride on the wonderful Super Impose. Together they won the “rough house” Cox Plate of 1992. He talks with great affection of his favourite horse Mahogany. He rode the versatile horse in 34 0f 43 starts f...
Aug 27, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 134
The former champion jockey talks about his current state of health and takes us through the emotional struggles of his post racing life. Greg recalls the separation of his parents and many other childhood memories. He talks of his days as an apprentice jockey with several different trainers in Melbourne and Sydney. He remembers the thrill of his first Group 1 success on Innisfree in the Stradbroke- a horse trained by his father. He looks back on his association with legendary trainer Angus Arman...
Aug 27, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Great to chat with highly respected jockey Jeff Penza who reflects on the horror fall at Queanbeyan that sidelined him for ten months. Jeff talks about the decision he made many years ago to become a travelling jockey. He’s been concentrating on provincial and country meetings which have brought him 1074 winners in ten years. The popular jockey talks of his apprenticeship to Peter Balzen, and winning associations with trainers like Dr. Geoff Chapman, Jack Denham, Paul Sutherland and Chris Waller...
Aug 20, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 132
It was a delight to catch up with the young lady who arrived from Sweden just under five years ago hoping to get some opportunities in Melbourne’s Monte races. Kima talks about her early days in Australia riding trotters rather than driving them. She slowly made the transition to the sulky, and after a shaky start suddenly emerged as a promising driver. Kima talks about the tremendous support she’s had from trainers and owners. She pays tribute to I’m The Boss, the horse to launch her career. Sh...
Aug 20, 2019•41 min•Season 1Ep. 131
In Part 2 Bruce recalls his introduction to Kerry Packer. He took a wager from Packer when another bookie declined. He talks of Kerry’s visits to the big Randwick carnivals, and the volume of his betting. He remembers the occasion when he had to put a limit on the world’s biggest punter. Bruce reflects on Packer’s approach to gambling. He goes on to talk of his days on the Committee of the Sydney Turf Club, and his three years as Chairman. Bruce is happy to reflect on the impact of Kerry Packer’...
Aug 13, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 130
The former high profile bookmaker remembers his grandfather Jim McHugh who rode the 1898 Epsom Hcp winner. He pays tribute to his father Bill McHugh himself a popular bookie on Sydney tracks in the days of huge race crowds. He talks of his maternal grandmother Hilda who also possessed a gambling streak. She gave Bruce his first business loan. Bruce recalls his earliest days fielding at the trots at Bulli, Hawkesbury and Penrith. He recalls his slow transition to the galloping tracks, and the biz...
Aug 13, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Thirty year old Victorian Mitchell Beer reveals that he didn’t want to be in racing when it was time to look at career options- he chose a golf apprenticeship. He confesses that the magic of the thoroughbred lured him back and set him on a career he hoped would lead him to a future as a trainer. Mitchell reminisces about his early years as the son of a highly respected jockey. He takes us through the formative years when he was tutored by some of the best in the business. He talks of his start i...
Aug 06, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 128
In Part 2 Jeff reveals the reason he decided to leave South Africa for a safer life in Australia. He talks of his feeling of uncertainty when he arrived unannounced in Sydney, one of the world’s toughest racing towns. Jeff recalls those important early wins in Australia, and the trainers who gave him valued support. He talks of his ATC Derby win- the one that launched his Aussie career. He remembers a Hong Kong stint which brought him a Group 1 success. Jeff reflects on his arrival in Queensland...
Aug 06, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 127
This could be the most comprehensive interview ever given by the former champion jockey. Jeff recalls his early childhood in England where he would watch the races on television with his father, and his fascination with legendary jockey Lester Piggott. He talks about the stern discipline he experienced at the South African Jockeys Academy in Durban and his first apprenticeship. The great jockey reflects on his wonderful career in South Africa and the astonishing milestones he achieved. He pays t...
Aug 06, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 126
In Part 2 Pam O’Neill recalls the amazing invitation she received to ride in Japan for a month. She talks of the cancer scare she got on returning from the Japan trip. Pam reflects on some of her favourite horses. She won 18 races on Supersnack and gave the horse a home for life when his racing days were over. She talks of the brilliant sprinter Breakfast Creek and the disappointment when she lost the ride. Pam talks of her life as a mother and grand mother. She pays tribute to her late husband ...
Jul 30, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 125
We finally catch up with the remarkable Queensland lady who pioneered the cause of Australia’s female jockeys four decades ago. In Part 1 Pam O’Neill talks of her childhood involvement with horses in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot. She recalls how she bristled when trying to lead one of her father’s racehorses onto Eagle Farm racecourse, and had to hand it over to a male. She remembers winning her first battle to be allowed to ride trackwork. She recalls her first win over the establishment. They ...
Jul 30, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 124
In part 2 the hard working trainer pays tribute to his “horse in a million” Ultimate Art. Kirsty raced the stallion for his entire career. Michael describes him as “the horse who paid off the mortgage”. Formosa explains the origins of his well known racing colours. He speaks fondly of the nickname bestowed upon him by a prominent trots commentator. He looks at his long term goals.
Jul 23, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 123
For the trot fans we talk to one of the sport’s quiet achievers. Michael Formosa has gone quietly about his business for twenty years, racking up 1000 wins in the process. Michael talks of his family background, and his eight year apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. He talks of the uncle who got him interested in harness horses at an early age, and the veteran trainer who taught him principles he follows to this day. Michael reflects on his chance meeting with Kirsty Goodyear an apprentice jocke...
Jul 23, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 122
In part 2 Leon reflects on sixteen years as Bart’s Melbourne foreman during which time he got to work with some of the best horses in Australia. He talks of his resignation from Bart’s employ which saw him take out his own trainer’s licence. He reflects on the temporary lapse in his friendship with Bart Cummings. Leon highlights Starspangledbanner and Helenus two of the best horses he trained under his own name.
Jul 23, 2019•22 min•Season 1Ep. 121
In Part 1 the experienced horseman talks about his early days in Adelaide as an apprentice jockey. He recalls his association with Proud Miss one of Australia’s best two year olds in the 1960’s. Leon pays tribute to his master, renowned trainer Graham Heagney and his reasons for turning his back on racing for eight years. He remembers the circumstances which saw him become a trackwork rider for Bart Cummings in Adelaide, and the career change that took him to Victoria....
Jul 23, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 120
In part 2 Ian reflects on the emergence of station 2KY in the Sydney thoroughbred market. He got to call the gallops from 1974 in opposition to 2UE,2GB and the ABC. He recalls the station struggled with huge costs in maintaining the service, and considered pulling out of the race. That all changed in 1981 when 2GB dropped its racing coverage, and KY inherited the national network. Ian recalls his favourite races from the mid 1970’s until his retirement in 2009.
Jul 16, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 119
In part 1 Ian talks about the childhood illness that put him in bed for several months. He couldn’t wait for the Saturday race broadcasts to arrive. His love of racing evolved in that era. He talks about his early days at the Richmond dogs and the Lithgow trots. He reminisces about the letter he wrote to 2UE management, and the surprise response which put him behind the microphone at the Harold park trots. Ian looks back on the 1960’s when huge crowds flocked to Harold Park to see some of the le...
Jul 16, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Delighted to introduce an old friend. Hilton Cope was one of Australia’s best jockeys in his day, but endless wasting was making his life a misery. After 6 Group 1 wins, and great success overseas he made the snap decision to quit in the mid 1970’s. He talks of the rigours of the sweat box, and the wonderful moments he had in Sydney racing. Hilton talks of the spelling farm he established in the Hunter Valley, which he ran for three decades. Older racing fans will enjoy this great jockey’s refle...
Jul 09, 2019•42 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Barry Baldwin’s racing life began as an apprentice jockey at Roma in Queensland. He rode a few winners, but by age 18 couldn’t ride under 57kgs. His training career started in Roma, gravitated to Toowoomba and then to Brisbane where he’s been twice champion trainer. He picked up a Stradbroke Hcp along the way, and has trained many very talented horses. Barry tells his story in a very earthy way. There’s plenty of Queenslander in this bloke.
Jul 09, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 116
In part two Dan pays tribute to the wonderful trainers who helped him along the way. He reflects on very successful riding stints in Hong Kong and Macau. He was the first Australian Club Jockey to be appointed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He talks of some of the very good horses he got to ride in Melbourne including his Blue Diamond winner Knowledge. Towards the end of the podcast he confesses that he has actually been on a horse’s back in the last couple of years. Silly thing to do perhaps, bu...
Jul 02, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 115
In part one Danny brings us right up to date with his current amazing progress. He takes us back to the terrible fall at Moonee Valley that snatched away a great career. His list of injuries was horrific, and his vital signs actually disappeared on the way to hospital. He refused to believe the Neurosurgeon who told him he’d never walk again. Danny handled it his own way, and continues to confound the experts.
Jul 02, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 114
