John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
46 minutes ago
46 minutes ago
When Luke Nolen’s in full swing it’s difficult to get him to sit still long enough to conduct an interview. Currently he’s on the sidelines indefinitely following a freakish fall at Geelong early in December. Although frustrated and in some discomfort, the champion jockey gave us all the time we needed to get a podcast “in the can”. What a career it’s been for the Victorian born horseman whose riding record is one of Australian racing’s most enviable. Almost 2000 wins, 40 Gr 1’s, three Melbourne jockey’s premierships and two Scobie Breasley medals. There was an awful lot to talk about. Luke begins by taking us through the horror Geelong fall which was attributable to a broken stirrup leather.
He talks of surgery already completed and what lies ahead.
Luke reflects on early days when his dad Tal took the family all over Australia looking for suitable job opportunities. The jockey talks of school days and an aversion to study.
He pays tribute to Tal, to his late mother Margaret and brother Shaun.
Luke looks back on a move back to Victoria when Tal was able to arrange an apprenticeship with master mentor Gerald Egan.
Like most apprentices he hasn’t forgotten the buzz around his very first win at Albury in 1998.
Luke talks of the reputation he quickly earned as an unflappable young rider. He remembers two nicknames he picked up in his youth, and the circumstances behind their creation.
He looks back on time spent with former champion trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith at Flemington.
Luke was thrilled beyond belief to win his first Gr 1 race for the maestro Bart Cummings.
He clearly remembered the first ride he ever had for Peter Moody.
The jockey talks of his enduring relationship with Moody and gives the reasons that partnership has stood the test of time.
By his own admission Luke says he never tires of talking about Black Caviar.
He won 22 of 25 on the champion mare. He agrees Jarrod Noske and Ben Melham who rode her in the other three wins will have something to tell their grandchildren.
Luke says Black Caviar was an uncomplicated race mare.
He pinpoints the best of her 25 wins.
Looks back on her near defeat at Royal Ascot in 2012. He says she was battling niggling muscle issues on the day.
He talks of Black Caviar’s tendency to “come back underneath him” in the closing stages. He also heaps praise on runner up Moonlight Cloud who went within a head of destroying the great mare’s iconic record.
Luke talks of the champion’s debilitating fight with laminitis and subsequent euthanisation. To add to the tragedy Black Caviar’s Snitzel colt also died.
The star jockey highlights a few personal favourites from the long list of outstanding horses he’s ridden beginning with Typhoon Tracey. He looks back on Peter Moody’s decision to walk away from racing following his suspension on cobalt charges.
Luke acknowledges the deeds of elite gallops I Wish I Win, and El Segundo.
He pays tribute to Alicia his wife of 17 years, and children Dane and Kailey.
Luke says he’s grateful to have three Melbourne jockey’s premierships and two Scobie Breasley medals on his CV.
We close the podcast by referring to a quote from Gerard Whateley’s 2012 biography on Black Caviar. Gerard goes behind the public persona in identifying the real Luke Nolen.
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
There was one common thread among the hundreds of tributes paid to Ross Stitt after his recent retirement. Unequivocally, friends and fellow horsemen agreed that the 83 year old had been an ornament to his profession as a man and a professional horse trainer. I’d like to add my sentiments by plucking from the archives an interview we recorded with Ross almost six years ago.
He was in reminiscent mood on the day, and took us on a nostalgic journey through his life with horses. Ross began by reflecting on childhood days on the family dairy farm in the Manning Valley. He was milking the cows from age 9 before going to school.
He says showjumping was his first equine passion, and it appears he was pretty adept at the sport.
Ross recalls that his first thoroughbred idol was the legendary broodmare Dark Jewel. He formed the attachment simply because he had a show jumper called “Jewel” at the time.
It’s not widely known that Ross Stitt could easily have pursued a career in harness racing. His earliest tutor was trots trainer Ned Coleman. He says he was very close to acquiring his licence to drive in races.
Ross says he was 24 years old when he bought his first galloper Bold Pirate from an Inglis Mixed Sale. He initially gave the maiden performer to a local trainer, but later took over the training himself.
He remembers ex Sydney gallopers Gold Optic and Royal Kirk as the horses to get him up and running on north coast tracks.
The retired trainer rates Critic’s Pride as his first headline horse. That’s no surprise when you consider Critic’s Pride won a whopping 29 races for his up and coming trainer.
Ross Stitt had the amazing ability to keep horses up for lengthy periods and to keep them winning. Half brothers Our Ambition and Gilded Blue are two prime examples. They won 48 races between them.
He acknowledges the support of owner Ron Shaw, a former accountant who settled in nearby Old Bar following his retirement. He and Ross enjoyed a great association.
Ross talks about his infatuation with Sir Dapper, a brilliant racehorse who later became a successful sire. The trainer won multiple races in the late 90’s and early 2000’s with Dapper Spirit, Just Dapper and Chilli Dapper.
He pays a heartfelt tribute to former record breaking jockey Robert Thompson who retired just under three years after our podcast was recorded. Thompson rode more winners for the Stitt stable than any other rider.
Ross looks back on his pleasing record in NSW Country Cups. Surprisingly it took him 35 years to win a Kempsey Cup.
The veteran trainer was fairly emphatic in declaring Precise Timing to be the best horse he ever trained. An inveterate trier, Precise Timing won a total of 18 races including the 2006 Launceston Cup. Ross explains what prompted him to venture all the way to Tasmania.
He delights in telling the story of Heavenly Glow, the $10,000 Gold Coast purchase destined to win two Gr 1 races. When he realised the filly was good enough to run at the elite level, Ross had no hesitation in sending her to a Sydney trainer.
Ross tells the story of Youthful Jack, the unfashionably bred gelding who would win 18 races and $1.15 million in prize money.
He placed him with other trainers at varying stages with great results- Rex Lipp at Toowoomba, Allan Denham in Sydney and Adam Trinder in Tasmania. Ross himself won 7 races with Youthful Jack including the Grafton Ramornie Hcp.
The recently retired trainer pays tribute to some of the talented riders with whom he was associated over the years.
This podcast has been in the archives for quite some time but remains relevant by way of our tribute to a country training marvel.
Saturday Dec 21, 2024
Saturday Dec 21, 2024
It came as a surprise recently to learn that I hadn’t interviewed Scott Seamer since 2003 when he flew from Ballina to be a guest on Sky’s Inside Racing programme. At the time of the interview the former northern rivers jockey had posted an amazing 15 Gr wins in two years following on from a Queensland Oaks victory on Ethereal in 2001. A few months later Scott landed the coveted Caulfield and Melbourne double on the same wonderful staying mare. Since quitting the saddle in 2011 the former ace jockey has joined the ranks of Australia’s commercial breeders. I was delighted he was able to find the time to join us on our regular racing podcast and equally delighted to find him in reminiscent mood. Scott was thrilled to see Ethereal’s trainer Sheila Laxon win her second Melbourne Cup with Knight’s Choice in November.
He talks about the transformation of his Fernleigh property from a macadamia farm to commercial breeding enterprise.
Scott says his first duty as a breeder was to find the right foundation mare. He’s now breeding from four of her daughters.
He talks of his breeding share in a high profile Queensland stallion.
The multiple Gr 1 winning jockey previews his four horse draft being prepared for the Inglis Classic Sale in February.
Scott remembers his unhappy departure from race riding at Doomben in late 2011.
He takes us back to his first time on a racecourse in the late 1970’s. He tagged along with his mother and stepfather to a Bowraville meeting, and was instantly hooked.
Scott looks back on a stablehand’s job with Coffs Harbour trainer John Hennessy, and the offer of an apprenticeship from Grafton trainer Ron Gosling.
Very clear in his memory is the occasion of his first race ride at Lismore. He tipped the scales at 32 kgs.
Scott talks of his thrilling first win at Casino and the transition to a metropolitan win at Eagle Farm in 1987.
He pays tribute to Protester, the genuine bush galloper who gave him an amazing twenty wins.
The former ace jockey looks back on his relocation from the northern rivers to Glen Innes. He enjoyed a very successful five years from his tablelands base, and forged an association with a champion country trainer.
Scott talks of his decision to give Brisbane racing a serious shot. He was encouraged to make the move by outstanding jockey manager Trevor Lansky who brought him unexpected opportunities.
Seamer talks of Ethereal’s outstanding win in the Queensland Oaks. She came with the barnstorming finish destined to become her trademark.
He admits to chasing the ride on the bonny mare when she resumed in NZ in the spring of 2001. He offered to pay his own way across the ditch.
Scott recalls his tense battle with Sky Heights in the Caulfield Cup, and the wet weather leading up to the Melbourne Cup. He takes us through Ethereal’s brilliant Cup win.
He talks about a McKinnon Stakes win on Derby day.
Thanks to his new NZ connections Scott was able to land some plum rides over the 2001 Auckland summer carnival. He looks back on a memorable Derby/Oaks double at Ellerslie.
The former jockey started the new year with a bang winning the Magic Millions on Lovely Jubly. He recalls the race.
Scott remembers a successful autumn carnival in Melbourne highlighted by wins in the C.F Orr and Australian Guineas.
The former talented horseman still shakes his head when he thinks about a four win haul on Golden Slipper day 2002- two Gr 2’s and two Gr 1’s. He remembers the wins by Ethereal and Calaway Gal.
Seamer’s dazzling autumn win sequence earned him a short term contract in Hong Kong. He later wished that invitation hadn’t arrived. He fractured two vertebrae in a nasty fall and was out of action for several months.
Up to this point in time, Scott had been treated very kindly by the racing media. That changed when he was beaten on Bel Esprit in the Manikato Stakes. He handled it philosophically.
He says he felt the need to make a statement when the 2003 autumn carnival got under way in Sydney. He made the best kind of statement by winning the Australian Derby on Clangalang with a 10/10 ride.
The former jockey talks of another Derby win a short time later. He was thrilled to win the Queensland Derby for Bede Murray on Half Hennessy.
Scott talks of another Gr 1 win at the same carnival on Picaday in the T. J Smith Classic.
He says he was delighted to win the 2004 Epsom for Tulloch Lodge on Desert War.
Scott looks back on his final Gr 1 victory. He made the trip back to NZ to win another Derby on Coniston Bluebird for the late Bede Murray.
The jockey turned commercial breeder pays a heartfelt tribute to Louise, his wife of twenty nine years and to twenty one year old daughter Caitlin who’s currently chasing a Uni degree in Business and Law.
This is a laid back chat with a former jockey whose story is an inspirational one. The tiny northern rivers apprentice who dared to dream. He worked hard and didn’t squander a single opportunity. His emergence to ride 22 Gr 1 winners is one of Australian racing’s most endearing tales. You’ll enjoy our trip down memory lane with Scott Seamer.
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
I’d lost count of the number of country racing fans who’d requested a podcast with retired jockey Graham Power. Whenever the subject of top Riverina jockeys had come up over the years, Graham’s name was always on the list. A phone call to check his availability and some quick research followed, and we were good to go. Great to present a podcast with a horseman who never rode a winner as an apprentice, but sure as hell made up for it later. Graham begins by looking back on his final day as a jockey at Wagga in 2000.
He says he was delighted to ride a winner on a very emotional day.
Graham talks about the way in which he handled the withdrawal symptoms.
He talks about his current involvement with the famous St. Vincents De Paul charity organisation in Wagga.
The former ace jockey refutes the theory that he’s a native of the Riverina.
Graham talks about his childhood in Tamworth. He says there was no racing in his family background, but reveals that his grandfather Tom worked as a street sweeper in the 1920’s using horse and dray.
He remembers his first job on the ground in a Newcastle stable before a return to Tamworth and a short lived first apprenticeship. Injuries sustained in a race fall saw him walk away from racing and find a job at the local abbatoirs.
Graham recalls the chance conversation at a Tamworth race meeting that led to the renewal of his jockey’s licence.
He looks back on his friendship with trainer Bede Delaney whose move to Gundagai would change his life.
Power reflects on the deeds of one of the best horses he rode for the Delaney stable, prolific winner Aurilandy.
He talks of Aurilandy’s two wins down the famous Flemington straight and the opportunity to ride the horse in the famous Epsom Hcp. Nothing went right at his only Gr 1 ride.
Graham talks about his move to Wagga.
He acknowledges some of the handy horses he got to ride over the next few years.
Graham looks back on a Cootamundra Cup win on a future Melbourne Cup winner. He thought very little of the horse at the time.
He remembers with affection wins in the Albury and Wagga Cups.
Graham remembers the Richard Freyer trained Prince Tone, a talented horse provided he didn’t have to travel too far to race meetings.
He pays tribute to several other bush Cup winners.
Graham delights in telling the story about his two rides on champion Kingston Town.
The former outstanding rider looks back on some special race days when he rode multiple winners on the programme.
He reels off some of the many jobs he’s had away from racing.
He talks of some of his favourite Riverina trainers and delights in the fact that he rode the first winner ever trained by Gary Portelli, now entrenched in the top bracket of Sydney’s trainers.
Graham pays tribute to a select group of his favourite country jockeys.
He looks back on some serious race falls including one in which he appeared to suffer no injuries. By the time he got home the situation had changed dramatically.
The 79 year old talks of past involvement in racing administration and a current “on call” role for Racing NSW.
The versatile veteran talks back on his experience driving harness horses and a stint as a newspaper columnist.
He looks back on one of his proudest moments as a jockey-the occasion of his 1000th win on SDRA tracks.
Graham looks back on his two marriages and a double tragedy in his life. He pays tribute to daughter Tracey, and sons Steven and Ben.
A nostalgic trip down memory lane with a man dubbed “the George Moore of Riverina racing” in his era by Sky Thoroughbred Central host Graeme White.
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
We catch up with Wagga based trainer Gary Colvin who added to his metropolitan record when Cambar scored a tradesmanlike win in the TAB Highway on Nov. 30th. Gary’s hoping Cambar will emulate the deeds of stable favourite Another One who won a Championship Final in 2022 after having finished second the year before. Gary begins our podcast by talking about Cambar’s two early wins at Wagga when ridden by stable apprentice Holly Durnan.
He looks back on his purchase of the little colt at the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne. He got a second opinion from Warwick Farm trainer Greg Hickman who’d trained the colt’s sire Pierata.
Gary says Cambar has been a thorough professional from the day he was broken in.
The trainer retained a part ownership of the horse while the remaining shares were snapped up by old friends. He says one of the quartet is a first time participant.
Gary looks back on childhood days growing up with his six siblings on the family farm at Tullibigeal. He says his father was never without a horse or two on the property.
He pays tribute to uncles John and Noel Colvin, both very successful jockeys.
Gary says he was 17 when he joined three of his siblings in Wagga. He pleased his parents greatly when he registered for an apprenticeship in joinery. He talks of his progress in the old world trade.
He talks of his passion for Australian Rules Football, and reflects on his involvement with the Wagga Tigers and the Collingully side. He plays down reports that he was a very accomplished player.
Gary remembers his short stint in a coaching role.
He looks back on Fred Colvin’s move to Wagga and a renewal of his trainer’s licence. He assisted his father for eleven years while training a small team of his own. When Fred retired in 1997, he was ready to train in his own right.
Gary hasn’t forgotten the mare who provided the first win of his full time training career.
He acknowledges the special horses to get him up and running as a commercial trainer with special mention of Baltra and Lock the Key.
The accomplished trainer takes us through the circumstances leading up to his purchase of Another One at an Inglis Classic Sale. He’s never forgotten the instant he first saw the chestnut colt.
Gary talks of Another One’s pedigree and the 15 strong syndicate who got together to race the horse.
The trainer recalls setting the talented horse for a maiden 2YO at Wagga. He and the owners were stunned when a Randwick trained youngster from the John O’Shea yard turned up for the same race.
He takes us through Another One’s progression to his first tilt at the Country Championship.
Gary followed a similar path the following year and the gelding again made the final at Randwick. This time he prevailed in the highly prized event.
He pays tribute to Another One’s regular rider Nick Heywood who wages a fearsome battle with weight to stay in the saddle.
Gary talks of Another One’s Kosciuszko failure and his most recent wins in the Riverina.
The trainer speaks highly of Danny Beasley who rode the horse to victories in the Canberra National Sprint and the Wodonga Cup. Danny recently joined the Wagga training ranks and is situated right next door to the Colvin stables.
Gary talks of wife Karen’s picture framing business in Wagga, and his willingness to lend a hand in the early days of the operation. He says his assistance was not needed.
Gary talks of daughter Gabby who’s currently a highly regarded member of the Melbourne Women’s AFL side. Her dad’s pretty chuffed.
He makes mention of sons Brodie and Matthew. One prefers the thrill of trying to back a winner- the other enjoys being around the horses.
Good to catch up with yet another talented member of the country training ranks.
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Good to catch up with a young jockey who’s forged a prominent spot among the powerful Sydney riding ranks in recent years. The Waterhouse/Bott duo supply regular rides to Adam Hyeronimus in recognition of his unrelenting work ethic. He currently has 4 Gr 1 winners on his CV along with numerous stakes wins. We were able to pin Adam down last week for a lengthy chat about the early days of his apprenticeship and the road he’s since travelled.
He begins by referencing the wonderful support he receives from Tulloch Lodge.
Adam says he’s no natural lightweight and needs to watch his diet at all times.
It’s well known that Adam descends from a family of jockeys on both sides of his pedigree. He pays tribute to those who’ve preceded him.
Adam makes special mention of his maternal grandfather the late Reg Paine, a former legend on western districts tracks. He also acknowledges the deeds of uncles Neil and Rodney Paine, both talented riders in their own right. He explains that two of his cousins are married to high profile jockeys.
The popular jockey looks back on early days at Cowra when he gained expert riding tuition from a local trainer.
He talks about a succession of trainers with whom he spent parts of his apprenticeship.
Adam clearly recalls his first ever race ride at Bathurst in 2008.
He looks back on his time with Grafton trainer John Shelton who supplied his first winning ride. Adam takes no credit for the win.
With Shelton’s support Hyeronimus decided to finish his apprenticeship in Sydney. He had a short time with Jason Coyle before transferring to Gai Waterhouse. He says it was a long time before Gai found him a job.
Adam received an immense thrill when he was able to win the inaugural Kosciuszko for his old boss John Shelton. He talks affectionately of the veteran bush gelding Belflyer.
He’d been having back problems before he was dislodged from a horse at Randwick on Everest day 2019. The harmless tumble exacerbated his problems to the extent that he was sidelined for 3 months.
Adam recalls how close he went to opening his Gr 1 account on outsider Prince Fawaz in the Rosehill Guineas. He gave Castelvecchio a big fright.
He says he didn’t have to wait long to get the Gr 1 monkey off his back. Just one week later he led all the way to win the Vinery Stud Stakes for Waterhouse/Bott on Shout The Bar.
Many people in racing address Adam by the nickname of “Hippo”. He explains how and when his well known sobriquet originated.
The jockey looks back on the lowest point in his career- the prolonged investigation into his betting activities which would see him banned for two years and four months. He talks of the impact it had on his life and the time he spent in outside employment.
Adam says his weight soared during the long layoff.
He talks of his change in attitude after such a major disruption to his livelihood.
Hyeronimus was chuffed to win his second Gr 1 on the gutsy filly Tropical Squall for his greatest supporters.
The talented jockey was grateful to receive a top Gr 1 ride from the Godolphin organisation in the Spring Champion Stakes. He rode Tom Kitten perfectly to win the important three year old race.
Adam was thrilled to win another Gr 1 on the genuine filly Tropical Squall.
He talks of his short but successful association with the imposing colt Storm Boy who’s now in training with Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle. A Magic Millions win was a huge thrill for the jockey.
Adam talks of his near miss on Lady Of Camelot in the Blue Diamond Stakes. He thought he was home.
A good chat with a young horseman whose future looks assured in the fiercely competitive Sydney jockey’s room.
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
We’ve had several requests for a podcast with former jockey and popular Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter Bernadette Cooper. The enquirers were unaware Bernie had already been one of our podcast guests, as far back as April of 2019.
Another email in the past week has settled the issue. We’re going to pluck the five and a half year old podcast from the archives and give it another run.
One of Bernie’s roles at the time was to interview winning jockeys immediately after major races had been run at the major Sydney carnivals. She conducted those interviews on horseback as Billy Slater did so smoothly at the recent Melbourne Cup carnival. The popular host was disappointed when contractual arrangements between Racing NSW and Channel 7 precluded her from being the first to interview Hugh Bowman after Winx’s swansong victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
She talks of the emotions shown by winning riders after the Gr 1 races- some more expressive than others.
Bernie looks back on her final riding stint in Macau where she was involved in the worst fall of her entire career.
She talks of a winning treble on her first day back in the saddle, and the shock she received when stewards accused her of not allowing another horse to run on its merits.
The former jockey talks of her return to Australia and a whole new life beginning with a job behind the front desk at the Star Casino.
Then came her lucky break in racing media, and she’s never looked back.
A few little things have changed since the original podcast. For instance Bernie’s daughter Stella is now 17, still studying ballet but heavily involved in the furthering of her education.
It’s always good to pluck a past gem from the archives. Bernadette Cooper is one of the warmest personalities in Australian racing media. She was at her best in this 2019 podcast.
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Given the choice Peter Morgan would rather be spending time with his horses than standing around with a mobile phone. He very kindly made an exception for us last week, and we’ve been able to capture some of his recollections of a life with horses. Peter talks firstly about his talented galloper Burrandana whose first up win at Gundagai recently proved he’s on track for a TAB Highway mission.
The veteran trainer talks of Burrandana’s troublesome feet.
Peter says he actually bred the horse.
He looks back on Burrandana’s form line with special mention of the Wagga win that was taken off him. A substance used on another horse in the stable showed up in Burrandana’s post race swab.
Pete says a very hefty fine ensued.
The trainer talks of Burrandana’s five TAB Highway attempts. He hasn’t been able to win one yet, but he’s knocking on the door.
Peter speaks of Burrandana’s owners, long time clients David Lloyd and Geoff Miller.
He mentions another recent winner from the stable in Unique Prince who’s due back in work following a break.
Peter looks back on early days in Melbourne under the tutelage of his grandfather Frank Kernaghan. He says Frank was a skilful trainer who was rarely without a handy horse. He had one very talented hurdler.
He says one piece of advice offered by his grandfather has remained with him over half a century.
Peter was apprenticed to Frank Kernaghan and had a short stint as a jockey. He rates his talents in the saddle.
He talks of the legendary jockeys he got to know in the 1960’s. He says one of them took an interest in his progress.
During his apprenticeship at Flemington Peter got to know some famous trainers. He makes mention of a couple.
Peter says he eventually borrowed boxes from his grandfather to get his own training career under way.
He runs through a list of horses who helped to get him up and running as a professional trainer.
Peter moved to Albury in 1974 and brought with him a promising apprentice jockey.
The trainer acknowledges other talented jockeys who’ve given him good service since moving to the Riverina.
Peter says the art of horse training has changed dramatically in recent times.
He talks of the accessibility of racetracks from his Wagga base.
Peter mentions some of the trainers he’s most admired.
In naming the best horse he’s seen in six decades, the veteran plumps unequivocally for Tobin Bronze. We share a few memories of the great horse.
The laconic trainer doesn’t waste words in taking us back over his journey in racing.
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
We had our podcast interview with Keith Ballard safely “in the can” before he reported for duty at Saturday’s Julia Creek Cup fixture at Mount Isa. It’s now history that the legendary jockey went out a winner on the final ride of his 55 year career. Keith was winless in the first four races, but turned it around in the last when he went straight to the lead on Metal Bar and romped home by more than five lengths in the Julia Creek Cup. The fairy tale was enhanced by the fact that Keith’s wife Denise trains the winner. Two days earlier we caught up with the 71 year old to reminisce a little about his remarkable career. He began by revealing that Denise had been trying to get him to retire for quite some time.
He talks about a recent Cloncurry win on Capiteel for his trainer wife and acknowledges the support of trainer Tanya Parry.
Keith talks about Denise’s former riding career in an era when female jockeys were battling for recognition.
He says Denise isn’t too tough on him when his judgement is astray.
The veteran says he was humbled in the extreme when the Ballards of Mount Isa were inducted into the Racing Queensland Hall Of Fame in 2021.
Keith talks about the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms in the months ahead.
The evergreen horseman says his nerve has remained intact.
He gives a few reasons for his longevity as a professional jockey.
The Longreach born horseman says he was initially inspired by the riding success of his uncle Jim Ballard.
Keith pays tribute to his stoic and hard working mother, and speaks of his six brothers.
He recalls his very first race ride, and an unforgettable first win on the very same horse.
Keith says he’s been relatively lucky when it comes to race falls, but he looks back on one bad buster at age 62- the worst fall in his long career.
That fall occurred at remote McKinlay best known as the venue for many scenes in the famous Crocodile Dundee movies.
Keith remembers some of the best horses he’s ridden over more than half a century. His number one vote goes to Mr Ziesel, big by stature and big on ability.
He pays tribute to the consistent Kerr Street. He won nine races on the horse in one season including the 1983 Darwin Cup.
Keith remembers King Wells. He won 17 races on the former Victorian.
The veteran says his career wouldn’t have been complete without a Birdsville Cup win. He ticked that one off the bucket list in 2009.
Keith talks about Sahara Canadian. He won 11 races on the grey, including one at faraway Ballina.
He talks about another prolific winner in Be Somebody. He once drove 1000km to ride the horse at Darwin even though he knew the gelding couldn’t win.
Keith pays tribute to a handful of jockeys for whom he had special admiration.
He makes special mention of a talented bush trainer.
Keith pays a heartfelt tribute to son Dan, a very talented jockey whose career has been terminated by weight problems.
Ballard says his failure to ride a metropolitan winner doesn’t faze him too much.
He talks about a handful of other jockeys who rode into advanced years.
It was a great pleasure to talk to a genuine Queensland racing icon.
Friday Nov 08, 2024
Friday Nov 08, 2024
It was mid October when I invited Ray Hadley to be special guest on the occasion of our 500th podcast episode. Never once during the conversation did the legendary broadcaster so much as hint that he was contemplating calling time on his 2GB morning programme. We made arrangements to record the interview on the afternoon of Thursday November 5th. Like many of his listeners and colleagues I was stunned, when less than an hour into his programme on Thursday Ray made the shock announcement that December 13th is to be his final day in the 2GB studios. Television news crews were setting up in the building long before he finished his on air shift at midday. The broadcaster was inevitably “swamped” by media outlets for several hours. I wouldn’t have been one bit surprised had he requested a postponement of our podcast interview, but I should have known better. True to his word Ray was ready to go when I called him as arranged at 4.30pm. I reminded him that nobody had seen this coming.
He admitted it was a surreal experience to be announcing his own retirement from mainstream radio.
I asked Ray to identify the likely reasons he was able to win 160 consecutive surveys.
He nominated one particular story where his on air comments contributed to a better outcome.
Ray made no secret of the fact that he won’t be lost to media, but says the days of 3.30am wake up calls are over.
He takes us back to childhood days as the son of hard working parents Morris and Elsie Hadley.
Ray looks back on the massive impact of his father’s death at just 46 years of age.
He shares some funny stories from his eight years with Steers Auctions at Parramatta. He believes his experience as an auctioneer helped to develop his commentary skills.
Ray says he was chuffed beyond belief in the early 80’s when offered the role of Harold Park course broadcaster following the retirement of Ray Conroy.
He takes us back to the days immediately after the Super League war when 2UE lost its Rugby League broadcast rights. 2UE’s Continuous Call team made history when it continued to win the ratings without broadcasting the game.
Ray pays a special tribute to the man they called “The Starmaker.” 2UE Programme Director the late John Brennan was lauded in the industry for his unique ability to spot potential talent from a mile off.
Ray Hadley’s career took a life changing turn in 2002 when John Singleton purchased 2GB. He initially poached Ray from 2UE to call Rugby League, but changed his mind soon after. The broadcaster was stunned when “Singo” asked him to take over the morning programme in opposition to 2UE’s John Laws. Ray shares the full story.
The multiple award winning broadcaster says he has no regrets about missing the opportunity to call 100 State Of Origins.
Ray was privileged to be a member of the commentary team for seven Olympic Games. He says Cathy Freeman’s unforgettable win in the 400m at the Sydney Olympics remains his fondest memory.
He was agreeable to looking back on what he describes as the lowest point in his long career- the 2019 bullying allegations from a small group of staff members. He looks back with candour on a very unhappy time in his life.
Ray talks with great affection of his children and grandchildren. Today he’s the quintessential doting grandfather.
It’s a massive coincidence that Ray’s retirement announcement came just a few hours before this podcast was recorded. No wonder he was in the mood to reminisce. Great to have him on our 500th podcast episode.