John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Everybody wanted a piece of champion trainer Leon Macdonald when he saddled his final runners at Morphettville on July 29th, and we were on the list. We caught up with the SA racing legend a few days later and got him started on a sentimental journey. He begins by looking back on an emotional final day at the scene of some of his greatest moments. He says an on course video tribute tested his emotions.
Leon was philosophical about a winless final day.
He pays tribute to the young man who’ll be filling his shoes at French Cotton Lodge, son-in-law Andrew Gluyas.
The one Adelaide major to elude Leon was the historic Goodwood Hcp. He talks of his narrow defeat with Another Award in May.
The former trainer acknowledges his long and successful association with veteran jockey Jason “Stubby” Holder.
Leon talks at length about Dalasan, the horse who deserved a Gr 1 win but had to settle for four placings at the elite level.
He talks of Dalasan’s promising half sister.
The veteran recalls a freakish trackwork accident in 2021 which left him with a broken hip.
Leon says he was shocked and humbled in 2014 when inducted into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.
He talks of his uncle George Macdonald who greatly influenced his early career.
Leon talks of his first Gr 1 winner French Cotton after whom his Morphettville stables were named.
Macdonald talks of another early Gr 1 win with Mine Gold in the Australasian Oaks.
He reminisces about his uncle Ab Macdonald who trained outstanding filly Farmer’s Daughter in the 1960’s.
Leon talks of the job he had before becoming a horse trainer. He wasn’t cut out for his job with the Electricity Trust of South Australia.
He talks of a long and happy association with owner/breeder and successful businessman Harry Perks.
Leon pays Gold Guru the tribute he deserves. He has no doubt the son of Geiger Counter was the best horse he trained.
Second only to Gold Guru as a Macdonald favourite was the ageless Umrum. He loved the dual Gr 1 winner.
Leon was a trailblazer in recognising the talents of female jockeys. He pays tribute to riders like Ruth McMillan, Clare Lindop and Raquel Clark.
He looks back on a memorable Victoria Derby win with despised outsider Rebel Raider.
Leon remembers the deeds of bonny mare Southern Speed who brought him a win in the coveted Caulfield Cup.
The former trainer talks of Gr 1 winning filly Go Indy Go.
He speaks with affection of the multiple stakes winner Dilly Dally.
He pays tribute to one of Dilly Dally’s owners, his wife Pam who was always the steadying influence in the Macdonald Racing operation.
Leon has fond memories of the tough filly Augusta Proud who gave him a memorable win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
He makes special mention of his daughters Sue and Christine. Sue is married to Andrew Gluyas, and Christine is the wife of former ace race caller Terry McAuliffe.
It’s a laid back chat with a true legend of South Australian racing.
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
The Australian racing industry continues to come to terms with the death of Dean Holland in a race fall at Donald in April. Ethan Brown, Jamie Kah, Craig Williams, and Blaike McDougall were all sidelined with serious injuries on either side of the Donald tragedy. Ethan Brown required multiple surgeries in the wake of his fall in the Australian Guineas in March. Cranbourne track regulars were amazed when the 24 year old reported for trackwork on July 10th and even more surprised when he resumed race riding at Sandown last Sunday (Aug 6th).
Ethan joins us on the podcast to talk about his miracle recovery and to reflect on a short but brilliant career which began in his hometown of Alice Springs. He talks about that all important first day back at trackwork.
Ethan says his body had to adjust following a long lay off from the saddle.
He says the accident came at a time when he’d ridden 62 Victorian winners for the season. He has a philosophical attitude when it comes to the highs and lows of racing.
Ethan has a clear recollection of the Flemington accident. He says he felt as though he’d been thrown into a washing machine.
He talks of the love and support extended by family and friends in the days after the fall.
The young jockey takes us back to childhood days in Alice Springs and his gradual indoctrination into the world of the thoroughbred.
He talks of his initial apprenticeship to Greg Connor and a later transfer to Garry and Lisa Lefoe.
With barrier trials scarce in Alice Springs Ethan explains that he had to go to Melbourne to acquire the mandatory number of rides.
Mick Kent Snr came to the rescue.
Brown says he returned to the Alice to get his riding career started, and reflects on his only two wins at home.
He talks of a return to Victoria and a transfer of his indentures to Mick Kent Snr.
The jockey reflects on a magical day at Wycheproof when he had three rides for three wins. His career was off the ground.
Ethan talks of his mateship with two other Kent apprentices who helped him through some chronic homesickness.
He remembers his first city win on a horse provided by Mitch Beer, and the beginning of a wonderful association with Darren Weir. He talks of the highpoints on Weir trained horses.
Ethan reflects on his two victories in the Rising Star Series.
The talented apprentice has three Gr 1 wins under his belt already. He talks of the first one, the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide on the bonny mare Snap Dancer.
Staying with Snap Dancer, Ethan recalls her second in the Gr 1 Tatts Tiara and her all the way win in the historic Memsie Stakes.
The two Gr 1 wins on Snap Dancer came courtesy of Maher and Eustace.
Maher and Eustace gave the young jockey another chance at the elite level in the Turnbull Stakes on Smokin’ Romans. Ethan recalls the thrill.
Ethan looks back on the exciting 2018/2019 season when he was crowned champion apprentice and figured prominently on the overall Melbourne jockeys premiership.
He pays a special tribute to his partner and fellow jockey Celine Gaudray who was runner up in last season’s Melbourne apprentices premiership. He talks of Celine’s amazing race day temperament.
More than 400 wins and three Gr 1’s in just eight years of riding highlights the talents of the young Territorian. His recent recovery from serious injury suggests his steely determination to succeed is matched only by his toughness and durability. It’s a nice yarn with an impressive young man.
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Stephen Traecey recently told family and friends he’s unlikely to ride in races again but most didn’t believe him. The remarkable 67 year old last rode in a race at Coffs Harbour in June. His last winner was in March on the same track. It suited Stephen to just fade away unnoticed, but I was having none of that. This man has given tremendous service over many years to racing in northern NSW and deserves due recognition. I hope this podcast serves as a lasting tribute to a bloke who just loves riding racehorses. Stephen says family and friends have taken his retirement announcement with a grain of salt.
He admits that he hasn’t yet made a clean break. He’s still riding up to eight horses in trackwork most days of the week.
Stephen acknowledges some of the trainers who continue to seek his services at trackwork.
He talks of the two year old filly purchased online recently by wife Donna. He doesn’t exactly rule out the possibility of a comeback if the filly gets to the races.
The veteran looks back on his last race ride, and his last winner Anotherbalconyboy.
Stephen says he and Donna now live on the property previously occupied by Takeover Target’s trainer Joe Janiak. He looks back on his association with the former champion sprinter.
He talks of childhood days in Balmain and his family’s association with a local swimming legend.
Stephen pays tribute to his late father Bill, a successful jockey in his own right. He looks back on his dad’s decision to move his family to NZ after being injured in a race fall. Bill became stable foreman to a legendary trainer.
He recalls the family’s move back to Australia and Bill’s return to the saddle. This time he rode trackwork alongside his father.
Stephen reflects on his interview with Theo Green, already emerging as a master tutor of apprentices. Unfortunately there were no vacancies.
He looks back on his short apprenticeship to Rosehill trainer Jack Norman, and the trackwork fall that left him with a broken leg.
Stephen takes us back to his move back to the bush, and a new apprenticeship with Bill Thompson at Gunnedah.
He has vivid recollections of his very first race win, and a move to the Peter Cleal stables.
The veteran jockey takes us through the horrific car accident that could have claimed his life. He remembers the long rehabilitation period in Sydney, and the ramifications of the brain trauma sustained in the accident.
Stephen acknowledges the support of a country racing steward who helped to get him back on track.
The jockey looks back on his return to race riding exactly three years after the Grafton road accident. He’s never forgotten his first win on the comeback trail- the race that reinvented him as a jockey.
He pays a special tribute to Ross Stitt, the man who trained the horse in question. He continued to ride horses for Ross until very recently.
Stephen talks of his affinity with the unique Bowraville track in the Nambucca Valley.
He recalls with affection his long time association with Grafton trainer John Shelton and their joint success with Mother’s Gift in the time honoured Ramornie Hcp.
Steve remembers the morning in flood time at Grafton when John Shelton told him not to come to trackwork. The trainer was amazed when he turned up as usual.
Traecey says he rode in Brisbane many times but had only one ride in Sydney. He remembers his second placing at Randwick on a Ross Stitt trained mare.
He talks of the current “toe-in” riding style used by the majority of modern day jockeys. He says he was happy to give it a try.
Stephen pays tribute to some of the great jockeys he’s ridden with on the northern rivers.
He looks back on a Coffs Harbour Cup win by a huge margin.
Stephen is proud to have an NRRA Jockey’s Premiership win on his CV.
He makes special mention of his four children from previous marriages.
It was an absolute delight to pay homage to a champion of northern NSW racing.
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
It’s only two and a half years since we last spoke with Jon Grisedale but much water has flowed under the bridge since, and he’s approaching a special birthday- special when you’re talking about an active jockey. He’ll be 60 on October 10th, but you’d never know it as the winners continue to flow including a couple over the recent Grafton July carnival. English born Grisedale was reluctant to do another interview so soon but I was able to talk him into it.
Jon and his wife Donna remain delighted with their decision to move to Coffs Harbour in 2019.
The jockey talks of a Lismore race fall soon after his arrival which was more serious than reported.
He talks of the warm reception afforded him by local trainers. He established contacts by riding an enormous amount of trackwork.
He’s had to regulate his track commitments to a sane level but still rides work for a handful of great local supporters.
Jon says the competition on the rivers is ferocious. He compliments Ben Looker who’s approaching 120 winners for the season.
The jockey looks back on Donna’s early training career at Kembla Grange and outlines the reason for their move north.
Jon recalls his first meeting with Donna when both were riding work for Chris Waller at Rosehill.
He talks of the decade Donna spent working for the late Jack Denham.
Jon talks of Donna’s Coffs Harbour horses, and describes her strong points as a trainer.
It’s not widely known that Jon emigrated from England with his family at four years of age. He recalls the ocean voyage.
He talks of his apprenticeship to the late Bede Horan at Rosehill, and has nothing but praise for the respected horseman.
The jockey says Horan regularly took horses to bush meetings and took his apprentice with him. Jon says he literally “cut his teeth” on the western line.
He talks of the support offered by Rosehill trainer Ray Guy who supplied his first city winner. The mare in question would become a broodmare gem.
Jon looks back on the special day at a Canterbury midweeker when he rode four winners. He says the media attention was unexpected.
He talks of his association with Brian Mayfield-Smith. He says he was virtually number three rider for quite some time.
Jon looks back on a brief association with Marauding. He has no doubt the big colt was the best horse he’s ever ridden.
He remembers a Tramway Hcp win on the genuine “bushie” Moville Peter and a Rosehill stakes win on Mount Verde.
Jon talks of his love of riding in country areas and the success he enjoyed in major bush races.
The veteran jockey reflects on what he calls the “lost year of his life”- a battle with a rare disease called Endocarditis or a severe infection of the inner lining of the heart. The prolonged illness cost him a kidney and twelve months away from the career he loved.
Jon looks back on his association with Chris Waller soon after the NZ trainer set up shop at Rosehill.
He talks of Waller’s training methods and recalls one humorous comment offered by the trainer after an unsuccessful day at Newcastle.
Grisedale reflects on an injury sustained when a horse reared over with him in the Kembla parade yard. Doctors misinterpreted the initial x/rays. It’s a bizarre story.
He talks of the retirement that lasted only a few months.
Jon talks of the move to Coffs Harbour and the stables he and Donna were able to purchase.
This is a trip down memory lane with a remarkable jockey who will soon reach the age at which most riders are long retired.
Thanks to ace photographer Steve Hart we’ve been able to add some wonderful photos of Jon Grisedale at the top of his game in the 1990’s.
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Michael Cahill had his first race ride on Red Affro at an obscure race meeting at Gooloogong in 1979. The horse ran second but Michael says he was beaten by pilot error. Since then he’s ridden with great skill to land a stunning total of 2600 winners in 4 jurisdictions. He’s coming up 59, and would love to ride in races until age 60. In our recent interview he talks about the style his late father Ossie helped him to develop during his apprenticeship at Cowra.
Michael explains his reason for wearing two sets of goggles when riding in races.
He says rides are still plentiful but the good opportunities are not what they used to be.
Michael looks back on a simple fall on the Sunny Coast in December 2021 which sidelined him for seven months. Remarkably he rode a winner at Doomben on his first day back.
He says he had a good run for nine months before another race fall halted his progress. This time he was back in a month.
Michael takes us back to early days at Cowra NSW when he and brother Matthew were apprenticed to their father Ossie. He says their careers were carefully guided.
The talented jockey has never forgotten the occasion of his first race win at Orange on Melbourne Cup day 1980.
He reflects on the dedication of his mother Margaret who had the job of driving him to race meetings all over the western districts.
Michael talks of his sister Kathryn who combines her day job with the training of a small team of horses.
The veteran jockey pays a final tribute to his father.
He recalls a win at Canterbury on a Cowra trained horse which led to an approach from a very high profile trainer.
Michael looks back on the highs and lows of his short stint in Sydney.
He looks back on his two and a half years as track rider and race jockey for media icon Mike Willesee based at the Transmedia Park Stud at Cootamundra.
Not surprisingly Michael came under the notice of the late Richard Freyer who had attained legendary status in the Riverina. He took the job and rode 70 winners in 18 months for the Freyer stable.
Tired of bitterly cold winters, Michael jumped at the opportunity to ride at the Grafton and Coffs Harbour carnivals. He says the warmer climate changed his future plans.
He looks back on a surprise offer from leading Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan.
Michael says he changed direction again when Gerald Ryan offered him a plum job on the Gold Coast.
The jockey talks of his marriage to former English riding instructor Maxine Harris.
He looks back on his first overseas riding contract in Singapore, and pays tribute to some top NZ jockeys who were there at the same time.
Michael pays tribute to the brilliant Falvelon. He has no doubt the son of Alannon was the fastest horse he’s ever ridden.
Soon after his Doomben $10,000 win on Falvelon Michael accepted an offer to ride in Hong Kong. He talks of a first up win for John Moore.
The jockey looks back on the circumstances that took him to Macau where he enjoyed a golden run.
Michael talks of his Brisbane premiership win, and a narrow defeat in another.
He talks of a Stradbroke win in 2005 for his great supporter Bevan Laming.
Michael remembers wins in a Magic Millions 2YO Classic and a Winter Stakes now known as the Tatts Tiara.
He remembers his nine rides on Victorian stayer Natural Blitz for trainer Doug Harrison.
Michael talks of his association with NZ trainer Tony Pike which brought him a five win sequence on The Bostonian.
The jockey reflects on a couple of stakes wins in Sydney, and a long list of Queensland black type wins.
Michael talks of younger brother Matthew’s recent return from injury.
Former jockey Shane Dye has been very vocal lately about modern day jockey safety vests. He believes there are flaws in the design and Michael agrees with him.
Michael speaks fondly of daughter Amelia and son Harry who is just now showing signs of wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He closes with mention of his ambition to ride until age 60.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Twenty months ago Adam Campton was still working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club unsure of his next career move. He made the snap decision to return to Australia and take out a trainer’s licence. A winner with his very first starter at Warwick set the scene for his immediate future. Since then he’s reeled off more than forty wins and is deadly serious about his future as a trainer. Adam begins by reviewing the short career of Deepour who’s won 5 from 7 since being sourced from the Inglis Digital On Line Sale.
The young trainer talks about his blueblood racing pedigree with special mention of his father Neil, a multiple Gr 1 winning jockey and successful trainer.
Adam talks of his relationship with maternal grandfather, the late Les Coles rider of Even Stevens who won the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1962.
He talks of several other notable racing achievers in the immediate family.
Adam takes us through the many and varied things he tried before settling on a training career. He talks of a short stint working for the Darley operation under Peter Snowden.
He looks back on a lengthy involvement in the hospitality industry. He finished up as bar manager at a western Sydney pub.
The thirty five year old looks back on his time with Rosehill trainer Tim Martin.
Adam then moved into the on- line betting industry where he would spend four valuable years.
He then talks of a very happy four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club looking after the interests of racehorse owners and young members. His partner Tayla Whalley accompanied him to HK.
Adam explains that his decision to return to Australia happened overnight.
He talks of a low key start as a trainer, and pays tribute to Lord Markel, the former Victorian horse who turned up in his Gold Coast stable. This was the horse to give him a dream start in his new role.
Adam talks of the purchase of his own stabling complex and the facilities on offer.
He acknowledges the support he gets from partner Tayla Whalley, a Queensland born girl who has a great affinity with horses.
The trainer talks about the regular video presentation he and Tayla compile for stable clients.
He acknowledges the support of two special work riders.
Adam pays a heartfelt tribute to Lord Markel, the horse he never expected to see in his stable.
He talks of the heartbreaking disappointment he experienced a short time after beginning his training operation.
Adam acknowledges the horses who’ve helped launch his training career.
He talks of the talented Brazilian jockey who made a big impression during a short stay in Queensland.
He has nice things to say about apprentice Yvette Lewis who came to him from the Tamworth stables of Sue Grills.
A little encouragement goes a long way. Adam says his Sydney based mother Trish is the unabashed leader of his fan club.
The trainer talks about his brother-in-law by marriage, the champion Queensland jockey James Orman.
It’s a laid back chat with a young horseman who took a while to sort out his career path. There’s no holding him now.
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Great to catch up with a man who’s had a more diversified background with horses than most Australian trainers. The former Olympic show jumping gun and respected horse breaker Greg Eurell turned to the training of thoroughbreds thirty years ago. Nine Gr 1 wins including a Cox Plate are testimony to his talents. Greg talks about the bustling Cranbourne training centre and the facilities available to trainers.
He talks of his successful training partnership with Jim Mason.
Greg talks of the availability of work riders and the time required to get 60 horses worked.
He acknowledges he talents of his wife Danielle who rides daily trackwork before heading off to her day job in Melbourne- a very unlikely day job at that.
Greg talks about the accessibility of his preferred race meetings.
He takes us back to early days in Sydney’s Hills District and his involvement in pony club.
The talented horseman is reluctant to talk about his inclusion in the Federation Equestrian team as a teenager.
Greg was selected for the Australian squad bound for the Moscow Olympics in 1980. He and team mates were shattered when the Aussie equestrian team withdrew for political reasons.
He says it was a long wait for the 1984 LA Games, but he made the squad again and actually took two horses of his own to the USA. One of them didn’t make it into the arena.
Greg speaks with great reverence of the champion show jumper Johnny Mac, his once in a lifetime horse. He says the horse was discovered by another competitor.
He looks back on Johnny Mac’s stunning success in elite company, and fondly remembers the presentation of a prized trophy by an iconic figure.
Greg discusses Johnny Mac’s pedigree and his unlikely colouring.
He talks of his late father’s busy Sydney plumbing firm.
A qualified plumber himself, Greg decided to move away from the family business and set up shop as a horse breaker in Victoria. He finished up in keen demand and breaking horses for some high profile trainers.
He talks of his modest transition into training and the horses to kick start his new career.
Greg pays tribute to Princess D’Or, the talented mare he brought to Sydney to win an important stakes race at Warwick Farm.
He recalls the first time he laid eyes on the spectacularly marked Apache Cat. He still can’t believe the brilliant sprinter gave him 8 Gr 1 successes.
He talks of the horse’s obscure pedigree and his exceptional temperament.
The trainer takes us through Apache Cat’s amazing career. The horse gave him two major scares during a 19 win career.
The former Olympic competitor talks with great affection about the mare who would become Apache Cat’s successor at the elite level.
Greg remembers the nightmare that unfolded when Pinker Pinker suffered a fatal reaction to a commonly used injection.
The Cranbourne trainer acknowledges a handful of special horses who flew the flag with distinction for the Eurell stable.
It’s a laid back chat with a master horseman.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Always nice to catch up with one of the many young hopefuls trying to establish themselves in the training ranks. The hours are long and the disappointments are many. Ballina’s Ethan Ensby has the right mix of determination and talent to make a go of an unforgiving business. Ethan begins by reviewing his recent run of success on northern tracks.
He talks of the promising Maximum Vortex who came to town after two brilliant Grafton wins. Ethan says the horse wasn’t mentally equipped to handle the task.
The young trainer talks of life in Ballina, and the rapport between local trainers. There’s been a recent arrival from Scone.
Ethan says there is no racing in his family background other than his mother’s role as a Racing NSW swab steward.
The twenty eight year old talks of his pony club days in Casino and the young local horseman he knew, who was destined to become one of Australia’s elite jockeys.
Ethan reflects on his early experience as a trackwork rider and the trainers with whom he was associated.
He looks back on the many ways in which he was able to generate an income from the local racing industry.
Ethan talks of the legacy left by his late great grandmother which enabled him to get on his feet as a trainer.
He talks about the first racehorse he ever owned. The gelding won his first race at Casino in the care of another trainer, but it wasn’t long before Ethan produced him to win on the Gold Coast. A heavy track dimmed the young trainer’s confidence.
Ethan remembers with affection the horse he thought would provide his first city win. After a sequence of country wins Ethan brought Vitervo Star to Rosehill with very high hopes. The story had a sad ending.
He talks of his stabling situation at Ballina and the facilities available to local trainers.
Ethan remembers his early association with the young NZ girl destined to become his partner.
He talks of Jade’s family connection to a famous NZ trotting dynasty, and to her talents as a trackwork rider.
Ethan acknowledges the happy association he’s had with Japanese born jockey Noriyuki Masuda, who’s ridden more winners for the Ensby stable than any other jockey.
He pays tribute to northern rivers veteran Peter Graham whose daughter Cejay is one of his “go to” jockeys.
Like many smaller stables, Ensby Racing utilises the resources of the bi-monthly Inglis Digital Online Sale. He’s had some excellent results, and highlights some recent acquisitions.
Ethan leaves no doubt he’s in the training business for the long haul.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Great to catch up with a highly qualified lady who couldn’t imagine a life without horses. Despite holding a Bachelor Of Arts and a Degree in Accountancy, Natalie Jarvis opted for a career as a horse trainer. Natalie and husband Luke are currently running a successful training operation at the beautiful South Coast hamlet of Moruya. She talks about Thorotek Racing’s headquarters.
Natalie says she likes to keep all horses in an outside environment.
She talks about the grass track facilities, beach and river swimming availability and the peaceful bushland riding trails.
The trainer acknowledges husband Luke’s role in the operation.
She’ll long remember the thrill of producing four winners on Moruya Cup day with 130 stable clients in attendance.
Natalie takes us back to childhood days at Terrey Hills where she and sister Stephanie were riding horses from an early age.
She talks of her parents who had little interest in horses as their daughters were growing up. Today they’re keen followers of Natalie’s horses.
Natalie looks back on her two stints at Sydney’s Macquarie University.
She remembers her two years in the Racing NSW Finance Dept.
Natalie recalls her visit to an open day at the Hawkesbury TAFE equine management school and the good advice she received. She was directed to Muskoka Farm at Gunderman where her education with thoroughbreds began.
She remembers a learning stint at the Hawkesbury Valley stables of trainer Warwick Hailes.
Natalie fondly recalls the experience gained at the Ingham’s Belmont Park spelling and pre-training farm at North Richmond. During this time she met her future husband.
She looks back on the horses who got her training career under way.
Natalie talks of her regular use of the Inglis Digital platform and the handy horses she’s been able to source.
The trainer explains that she and Luke are prepared to travel to distant meetings within a five hour time frame.
Natalie acknowledges the jockeys with whom she’s enjoyed successful associations. She’s still riding the lion’s share of trackwork herself.
Had racing not gotten in the way, this lady would probably be running a busy accountancy firm by now. Like so many before her, Natalie Jarvis is totally “hooked” on racing.
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
The popular north coast jockey knew something was wrong the moment she hit the ground in the early part of a Port Macquarie track gallop in April. She’d been back in the saddle for just three weeks following a lengthy break for the birth of her first baby. Belinda says she’s making good progress seven weeks after the spill.
Belinda expresses her appreciation for the skills of her orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cree.
She says the horse she was riding in the track gallop was the quietest in the stable.
Belinda outlines the cause of the fall, and her decision to remain completely still.
The jockey talks of her first few rides back following extended “maternity leave”.
Belinda says she’d been riding work for Port Macquarie trainer Paul Shailer for many weeks before taking race rides.
She shares the remarkable story of her birth in Kempsey in the early 1990’s. Her arrival caught everyone by surprise.
Belinda talks of her early life in Perth and a move back to Kempsey in 2002. When she made the decision to become a jockey, her mother Julie took out a trainer’s licence simply to apprentice her daughter.
She recalls her first race ride and her first win at Taree on Melbourne Cup day 2008.
The jockey remembers the ill judged ride on one of her mother’s horses that triggered the transfer of her indentures to another trainer.
Belinda reflects on time spent with trainers Gordon Yorke, Ross Stitt, Marc Quinn and latterly with John Morrisey on the Gold Coast.
This recent fall isn’t her first. She looks back on the time when she spent twenty months on the sidelines in a four year period.
Belinda says her mother Julie is now out of racing and running a business in Grafton. She talks of other family members.
She looks back on two wonderful seasons which brought her a total of 115 NSW winners.
Belinda remembers some of her best country wins and acknowledges the support of one particular northern trainer.
The talented jockey pays tribute to the veteran northern jockey who became a valued early tutor.
She says he hasn’t had the good fortune to ride a top class horse, but makes mention of a few talented “bushies”.
Belinda speaks of fiance Drew Smith, a former north coast Chairman of Stewards and currently the manager of several prominent jockeys and one leading northern rivers trainer.
She says she won’t even contemplate her likely future until her recovery is complete.
This is an interesting chat with one of the best of a strong group of female jockeys in northern NSW.