Great to catch up with one of the hardest working jockeys in Australian racing. Much to his frustration, Grant is currently on the sidelines with a broken collarbone. He has an update on his likely return date. He talks of the fall on March 31st which came at a time when he was enjoying a winning run. Grant discusses the amazing statistics he’s accumulated in the last twenty years as provincial and country jockey. He pays tribute to his father Clarrie Buckley who enjoyed Group 1 success in the 1...
Apr 21, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 203
In part 2 Gary talks of stable favourites Single Bullet and Testashadow. He tells the story of the $20,000 yearling who gave him victory in the Golden Slipper of 2017. He was thrilled to win for a large group of owners who’d been brought together by Darby Racing. Gary tells some good stories about two members of the She Will Reign syndicate who added to the whole amazing story- one of them won a fortune on the punt, while the other bought a new fishing boat which he called the “She Will Reign”. ...
Apr 14, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 202
In part one Gary talks of the job offer which brought him to Sydney. He was invited to train privately for a high profile owner who pulled out of the arrangement three months later. He confesses he was ready to go back to the bush when a fellow trainer helped him out of a tight spot. Gary talks of early days at Orange and the defining moment when he knew he wanted to train horses. The trainer talks of the undying support of his parents Morveen and Joe. Morveen had a promising career as an entert...
Apr 14, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 201
In the 200th segment since our website began in 2018, Andrew Bensley looks back on his years with Sky TV and radio. At last he reveals the origin of his well known nickname Hoss. People realised he bore a resemblance to actor Dan Blocker whose character of Hoss in the TV series Bonanza made him a household name. A top jockey was the first to give Andrew the nickname. Andrew recalls the freezing Ballarat Cup day when he and I shared the Sky hosting. He remembers the impact of TVN entering the rac...
Apr 07, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 200
In Part 1 Andrew outlines his reasons for bringing down the curtain on his long career with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio. He talks of his childhood in Wangaratta and the elderly neighbours he called Nan and Pa. They introduced him to the excitement of the racetrack. Andrew talks of his adoption to foster parents Bruce and Leila Bensley. His Dad was an engineer and wanted Andrew to follow in his footsteps. He remembers his first job in radio at 4VL Charleville, and a short stint at 4LM Mt. Isa...
Apr 07, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 199
In Part 1 Darren talks of a lifetime in the Bankstown harness racing precinct. He remembers the days when hundreds of horses were worked from stables in the Condell Park area. Today it’s a ghost town. He remembers the day a Channel 10 TV crew filmed a story on harness horses for Simon Townsend’s Wonder World. He reveals his reasons for never wanting to train big teams of horses. Darren talks about his relationship with high profile owner Emilio Rosati who was once his next door neighbour. He tal...
Apr 07, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 198
In Part 2 the NZ born jockey pays tribute to some of his 42 Gr 1 winners with special mention of the ill fated Unworldly. She won 5 from 6 before being put down after a training accident. Larry says she was an exceptional filly. He pays special tribute to Saintly. He rode him only twice for a win and a close second in the 1996 AJC Derby. He remembers him with great affection. Larry talks of his years as number 1 rider for Crown Lodge and the stresses involved with maintaining the standards set b...
Mar 31, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 197
In part 1 Larry talks about his career tally of winners. He reveals that he’s maintained records of his race rides from the beginning of his career in NZ. He talks of the factors that prompted his decision to move to Queensland twelve years ago. Larry recalls his one and only ride on the champion Winx in the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas. He surprised many by declaring her to be the best he’d ever ridden. The popular jockey reflects on a horror period a few years ago when meniscal tears in both kn...
Mar 31, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 196
In this segment Fred looks back on the frustrating years when he struggled to gain a WA Thoroughbred trainer’s licence. He’d just about given up when a race club committeeman came to his rescue. He remembers the thrill of saddling up his first winner at the gallops. The horse was Little Hero at Belmont in 1989. Fred takes us back to the day he bought a half share in a yearling with ordinary conformation, because he happened to like the youngster’s sire. He takes us through the extraordinary care...
Mar 24, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 195
The first segment of this special interview reviews the master horseman’s long and brilliant career as a trainer and driver in the harness racing field. Fred tells the story of his grandfather taking two pacers from Adelaide to Perth by ship, while the rest of the family crossed the Nullabor in an old Buick car. The Kersleys have been in Western Australia ever since. He reflects on the brilliant training and driving career of his father Fred Kersley Snr, who had never been able to win a WA Pacin...
Mar 24, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Harry pays tribute to the super sire I Am Invincible who has been a sensation on the Australian breeding scene in recent years. He reveals the chain of events which led to the purchase of a half share in I Am Invincible, when a new stallion was required for the Mitchell family’s Yarraman Park Stud near Scone(NSW). Harry remembers the first time he saw the horse at the Victorian stables of Peter Morgan. He was “blown away”. He talks of the humbling experience of having I Am Invincible selected as...
Mar 24, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 193
In part 2 Rod talks of Keith Noud’s ability to call a race, before dashing to the press box to file a story on the same race. He takes us through some very funny incidents during his race broadcasting days. Incidents like the amorous liaison taking place in a bunker on the infield golf course at Laidley. He recalls the unwelcome guest he had in the broadcasting box at Gatton, and the day a number of calves were asleep on the course proper at the same track. Rod talks of his time as a trots calle...
Mar 17, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 192
Rod talks of his upbringing in the popular Queensland town of Bundaberg. He recalls the racing characters he met at his Grandmother’s boarding house. He talks of the mother who loved a punt, and the non gambling father who just liked looking at racehorses. Rod recalls the bet he tried to have behind his mother’s back. The bookie gave him up. He looks back on his race calling debut at age 14, when the regular commentator got called away. Rod looks back on school days and his ineptitude at practic...
Mar 17, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 191
This is a light hearted chat with a vivacious young lady who has strong support from owners and trainers in NSW and Queensland. Tegan has been out of action for almost five months following the worst fall of her ten year career. Tegan pays special tribute to her jockey/mother who rode many winners on the NSW Northern Rivers under the name of Bev Want. She thinks it’s pretty special that she was going around in races before her Mum realised she was in the early stages of pregnancy. Tegan acknowle...
Mar 10, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 190
We catch up with Peter Mertens in his new role as Farms Operations Manager at Sean Buckley’s magnificent Ultra Thoroughbreds spelling, breeding and training operation near Kilmore. He explains how the job came up, and his day to day involvement. Peter talks of his formative years in the Gippsland region and his two apprenticeships- one to George O’Mealley, the other to Lloyd Timms. Just as his riding career was starting to gather momentum, Peter disappeared from the racing scene for two years. H...
Mar 10, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 189
In part 2 Jimmy Byrne recalls a win in the coveted Queensland Derby on the Peter Moody trained Riva San. He was lucky to gain the ride. He reflects on one of his greatest racing thrills, a Doomben $10,000 victory on Redzel. It was his one and only ride on the dual Everest winner. The jockey talks of another Group 1 win- the J.J.Atkins Stakes on the Paul Butterworth trained Capital Gain. Jim looks back on five rides on the powerhouse sprinter General Nediym including a win in the Magic Millions C...
Mar 03, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 188
In part 1 Jim laments about his horror run with injuries over the last twelve months. He talks of extensive shoulder surgery early last year, and a broken leg sustained in a freak fall just before Xmas. He talks of the frustration all injured jockeys experience when their regular mounts keep winning during their absence. Jim tells the story of the school teacher who suggested he should become a jockey. He recalls his apprenticeship to Pat Duff and those precious early winners. Jim pays tribute t...
Mar 03, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 187
Introducing Damian Raedler who retired recently from his role as CEO of the Albion Park Harness Racing Club. Damian looks back on his early years with Telecom when he specialised in the installation of automatic telephone exchanges. He talks of his decision to leave great job security in the pursuit of a career in racing media. He clearly recalls a job offer from 2GB. Damian talks of his experience as a thoroughbred and harness caller. He was very humbled later to be appointed Sporting Editor of...
Feb 25, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 186
Delighted to catch up with one of Australia’s most popular and consistent jockeys. He explains the origins of his famous nickname “Stubby”. Jason talks of his recent winning run and the enjoyment he’s getting out of his riding at the moment. He talks of his family background and the mother who loved the races. Sue would take young Jason along and he was soon besotted with the business. “Stubby” recalls his apprenticeship to Leon Macdonald and his early barrier trial rides. The jockey looks back ...
Feb 25, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 185
In Part 2 Mark remembers his very first winner- a speed machine called Tudor Vain. Ray Guy also provided his first city winner. Mark pays tribute to his role models from the riding ranks in the 1970’s. He talks of his first Group 1 winner. He still wonders how he ever got on a Theo Green trained horse. Mark looks back on his happy association with trainers like Les Bridge and Tommy Smith. The former jockey’s recollections of his association with the talented Myocard make fascinating listening. T...
Feb 18, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 184
In Part 1 Mark outlines his current training situation at Warwick Farm. He rarely works more than half a dozen horses, and takes them where they are best suited. He talks of his passion for riding trackwork and the injury he suffered two years ago. Mark acknowledges some of the jockeys who’ve ridden for the stable in recent times. He recalls the circumstances under which he quit the saddle to take on a training career. He talks of some of the horses who helped launch his new career. His favourit...
Feb 18, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 183
We talk to Allan about the emotion attached to his final call at his home track on Australia Day 2020. The veteran broadcaster acknowledges the moving gesture by his son Quentin who called a race in his Dad’s honour five days earlier. Allan takes us on a trip down memory lane to his childhood at Gregadoo and his apprenticeship as a fitter and machinist. He talks of the early breaks that were to lead him to a lifelong career as a race caller. Allan looks back on his association with the legendary...
Feb 11, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 182
Jonathan talks of his youth in Queensland as the son of one of Australia’s first female tipsters. He was always with his mother Jill in the 4BC studios where she was a regular on a Friday night racing programme. He reflects on his job as race day assistant to the great caller Vince Curry at tracks like Gatton, Kilcoy and Beaudesert. Jonathan reflects on two happy experiences at Queensland’s Coolbadah Stud, and Joe Manning’s “ Woodburn” property at Cootamundra. He takes us through his time at Gle...
Feb 04, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 181
In Part 2 Danny reflects on the thrill of riding his first Group 1 winner. He had to go to Melbourne to do it. He pays tribute to the best horse he ever rode, the versatile Grand Armee. Danny’s record on the gelding included 6 Group 1’s. He loved this free striding racing machine. Danny fondly remembers his association with the brilliant two year old filly Victory Vein. He still blames himself for her Golden Slipper defeat. He talks of the thrill of finally winning a Slipper on Polar Success in ...
Feb 04, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 180
In Part 1 Danny talks of his sudden decision to quit the saddle and his move into the Singapore training ranks. He talks of his association with Lim Siah Mong, who has an enormous investment in Singapore racing. The former top jockey reflects on his early days in the Riverina, and pays tribute to his father Bob whose riding career was terminated by a race fall. Danny talks of the day he answered an SOS from Graeme Begg to make a dash to Rosehill for two rides. Both horses won. He looks back on a...
Feb 04, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 179
In Part 2 Max remembers the lucky day when he bought a share in Savabeel, the Zabeel colt destined to become a Cox Plate winner and a very successful stallion. He reviews Savabeel’s racing career and his subsequent move to the famous Waikato Stud in NZ where he’s gone on to sire around 100 stakes winners. Max reflects on the devastating stock market crash of 1987. He lost everything and actually went back to work at the famous Bourbon and Beefsteak at King’s Cross. He sadly reflects on the prema...
Jan 28, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 178
It was a treat to catch up with the ebullient Max Whitby. In Part 1 Max talks of his current role as Managing Director of Propex Derivatives- a respected proprietary trading firm. He explains the role of another company Envirobank Recycling which provides litter solutions for beverage. Max proudly explains the operation of his syndication company Mi Runners which has brought close to 5000 new owners into racing. He loves this venture. He talks of his participation in the Everest Slot Holders con...
Jan 28, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 177
In this segment the 3 time premiership winning jockey remembers the great trainer Jack Green who took a liking to the curly haired kid from the Begg stable. Kevin recalls the help he got from George Ryder who had introduced the ARABS racing syndicates designed to bring smaller owners into the game. George was another to support young K.Moses. He recalls his very first winner and his first city treble at Canterbury. Kev talks of his 1976 Doncaster win on Authentic Heir- a very important win at th...
Jan 21, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 176
In Part 1 Moses talks of his current role as a trainer, and a knee problem which requires surgery. He reflects on the impact of a positive swab returned by one of his horses in 2015 resulting in a shock disqualification. Kevin looks back on twenty years as a trainer and the nice horses to pass through his hands. He pays tribute to former Gold Coast trainer Alan Bailey who was his mentor in the early days. He talks of his passion for riding trackwork after becoming a trainer, and pays tribute to ...
Jan 21, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 175
Corey talks of the frustration as he struggles with his slow-healing spinal injuries. He recalls the Queensland Derby fall that shattered his T7 vertabra and the subsequent major surgery. The champion jockey reflects on his great career and the Kempsey fall he suffered at his very first race ride. Corey talks about his first Melbourne Cup win on Shocking in 2009. He remembers everything going wrong in the race but says the horse was able to get away with it. He takes us through his second Cup wi...
Jan 14, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 174
