John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Bryan Martin was in his early 20’s when appointed number three race caller behind Bert Bryant and John Russell on Melbourne’s 3UZ in 1972. Martin went on to a brilliant career in his own right, but not before spending countless hours with John in broadcast boxes throughout Victoria. The two became trusted colleagues and close friends. Nobody is better qualified than Bryan to pay tribute to one of the greats of the trade. He sings the praises of John Russell the race caller, and shares some wonderful stories from the life and times of a true Aussie character. Bryan looks back on his final visit to the bedside of his old friend.
Bryan looks back on John’s upbringing in Warrnambool where his hard working mother ran a boarding house.
He relays the stories he’d heard from John about Warrnambool’s busy SP betting trade.
Bryan revisits John’s love of doubles betting at carnival time, and his all time best result.
The former top caller knows the John Russell story backwards. He looks back on Russell’s first radio job with 3YB.
Bryan reflects on his former colleague’s love of foot running and his own natural ability in the sport. He looks back on John’s annual coverage on 3UZ of the famous Stawell Gift.
He talks of a sudden reshuffle in the 3UZ pecking order when Frank O’Brien switched to rival station 3DB.
Bryan talks of the contrast in styles between Bert Bryant and John Russell.
He talks of Bert Bryant’s insatiable love of the punt. John Russell was his commission agent.
Martin was right in the middle of the dramatic situation at 3UZ when Bert suffered a brain aneurysm. His return to the microphone was short lived.
Bryan recalls John’s heartbreak when 3UZ dumped its racing format in 1984.
He looks back on early days at 3UZ when he and John Russell shared broadcasting duties at many tracks.
Bryan recalls one hilarious incident on the way to the races one day when he realised John was wearing a hairpiece. He talks of his colleague’s love of a drink and an uncanny ability to handle the ravages of a big night.
The famous Phar Lap movie required the appearance of a 1930’s race caller. Bryan remembers John’s delight in accepting the cameo role.
We switch the focus to Martin who initially retired in 2007 at just 57.
Bryan talks of a comeback on new station SEN who introduced an abbreviated racing service. That comeback lasted seven years.
We get Bryan to reminisce about his famous call of Better Loosen Up’s 1990 Japan Cup win.
The former commentator delights in talking about the high profile horse he part owned. People still marvel at his composure as he called Fields Of Omagh in two Cox Plate wins.
He talks of his involvement in the development of Living Legends Farm, home to many a retired champion.
Bryan outlines his present day role of managing smaller syndicates in horses sourced from OTI Racing and Te Akau Racing Stables. The winners keep flowing.
He nominates a few syndicate runners punters should keep tabs on.
Great to catch up with an old mate who was among John Russell’s dearest friends.
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Larry Cassidy’s sheer consistency as a professional jockey has brought him a strong fan base over almost four decades in the saddle.
It’s now more than four months since Larry rode in a race, and the fans are getting restless.The ace jockey joins us on the podcast to talk about the litany of health issues and injuries he’s battled in recent years. He begins by talking about the track fall that left him with a badly broken finger last November. The complications have been endless.
Larry takes us back to April of 2023 when he felt a twinge in his back during the running of a race. He battled on for a while but eventually the pain from a bulging disc made surgery inevitable. He was back at the races much sooner than expected.
He’d had only twelve rides back when a trackwork accident sent him out again. This time Doctors performed an epidural and ordered another long rest.
Larry says he thought he’d used up all of his bad luck when he finally resumed last November. Lady Luck wasn’t done with him yet.
The jockey was in reminiscent mood as he talked about early life in Wellington NZ. He looks back on the talents of brother Ricky who made a big name for himself as a jumps jockey.
Larry talks of his first apprenticeship at Palmerston North and remembers his first ever race ride.
Like most jockeys his first win remains etched in his memory.
He talks of a transfer to former jockey Bruce Marsh at Woodville. Here his career took off.
Larry fondly remembers a trip to Australia with Marsh who campaigned a small team of horses in Brisbane. This is where he rode his first Aussie winner. He recalls being involved in a five horse fall at Randwick during the same trip.
The respected jockey looks back on a flying start when he finally settled in Sydney. Brother Jim recommended him for a prized ride.
Larry pays tribute to Jim Cassidy. His comments will surprise you.
With the Championships upon us it was a good time to talk about Larry’s big Easter double in 1997- the Doncaster on Secret Savings and the Sydney Cup on Linesman,
He speaks fondly of Linesman and recalls the gelding’s huge run in the 1997 Melbourne Cup when battling a foot issue.
Larry looks back on many rides in the Melbourne Cup without a win. A third and a fourth were his best results.
The jockey clearly remembers a Victoria Derby win on Arena for the Inghams.
Larry acknowledges a number of outstanding gallopers he got to ride during his years in Sydney. Obviously he spends extra time on Sunline.
He looks back on Darren Beadman’s shock retirement in 1997 and his promotion to the number one role at Crown Lodge. He says he was never officially appointed. It just happened.
Larry talks of his three jockey’s premierships and his relationship with John Hawkes.
Cassidy remembers a new association with Gai Waterhouse after the parting of the ways with Crown Lodge. He explains his reasons for electing to make the move to Brisbane in 2009.
He talks of a Queensland Derby win not long after relocating.
His recollections of his one and only ride on Winx make for good listening. He couldn’t believe what he’d just experienced.
Larry talks of a nightmare eighteen months with meniscal tearing in both knees. He eventually took his rehabilitation into his own hands.
He pays tribute to wife Michelle and children Luke and Jade. Luke is on his way as a Doctor Of Medicine while Jade has aspirations in the arts, but is currently working for the wonderful organisation Guide Dogs Queensland.
Larry is taking a realistic view of the future. He’d love to ride again, but hasn’t dismissed the possibility of an enforced retirement. It’s a laid back chat with an outstanding jockey who’s made a million friends along the way.
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Five winners in a week when you have only twelve horses in work is a notable effort for any trainer. Port Macquarie’s John Sprague did exactly that in the middle of March with doubles at Coffs Harbour and Grafton and a single at Kempsey. John kicked off as an apprentice jockey in the late 1970’s when Canterbury was still a busy training centre. His riding career didn’t get going until he relocated to Port Macquarie. Two hundred wins later he switched to the training business, and has maintained a healthy strike rate for the last twenty eight years. John begins by talking about his recent winning trot.
He clears up any confusion about the pronunciation of his surname.
Renovations to Port Macquarie training facilities have made things difficult for local trainers of late. John discusses the problems.
He takes us back to the days of his apprenticeship to Jim O’Connor at Canterbury and a switch to an Orange stable. Rides were almost non existent.
He pays tribute to the Canterbury trainers of the era with special acknowledgement of a popular jockey who gave great assistance to those trainers over many years.
John talks of a move to Port Macquarie where his father had set up a training stable. John Snr wasn’t in the position to apprentice his son, but Glen Hodge came to the rescue.
John looks back on the thrill of his first winning ride- it was Stairway trained by his boss on his hometrack.
He remembers a winning run that brought him doubles and trebles.
Sprague looks back on a Taree Gold Cup win on the Glen Hodge trained Just Prince in 1980.
Still on his riding career Sprague fondly remembers a country cups treble on Bold Bazza.
He talks of Bold Bazza’s trainer Harry Leroy and wife Betty who’d been one of the pioneer lady jockeys in NSW.
John talks of his riding days on northern rivers tracks with special mention of the unusual Bowraville circuit.
He rarely rode in the city and finished his career without a metro winner. He talks of the “one that got away”.
John looks back on the news that his father was about to relinquish his trainer’s licence and sell the Port Macquarie stables. Sprague Snr came up with an offer he couldn’t refuse.
The experienced horseman acknowledges some of the horses who’ve helped shape his training career. He pays tribute to wife Karen who held a trainer’s licence at one stage.
John looks back on the lowest point of his life in racing- a shock disqualification when one of his horses returned a positive swab after a race at Tuncurry-Forster. He looks back on a nightmare experience and the cost of his spirited defence.
He pays tribute to a handful of jockeys with whom he’s enjoyed continued success in the northern region.
John and Karen are the proud parents of three sons. None of the boys have pursued a career in racing, but all have successful careers.
The 62 year old trainer gives a pointer to his future plans.
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Always a pleasure to catch up with the bush trainers. Our podcast guest this week is Albury’s Ron Stubbs whose reputation precedes him. Ron is rarely without a handy horse, and he currently prepares Bianco Vilano who’s already safely locked away for the Country Championship Final on April 6th. Ron’s affinity with horses goes back to childhood days in the western Riverina. His training career has been spread over two successful stints. He talks about his first win on returning to training in 2016 with the curiously named Squidensqizz.
Ron looks back on his memorable day at Albury on Feb 18th- three wins including the Country Championship Qualifier.
He talks of his association with Victorian jockey Craig Williams who rode all three winners.
Ron talks of the progress made by Bianco Vilano.
The trainer speaks well of Bianco Vilano’s full brother Baledon who finished third in the Albury qualifier.
Ron takes us back to childhood days in Moulamein and the shetland pony his father won in a raffle.
He remembers the family’s relocation to Hay and his participation in pony club. Not surprisingly he later graduated to riding trackwork for his dad Pat who was hobby training at the time.
Ron talks of his only sister Jenny, and brother Peter Stubbs who devoted most of his working life to racing administration.
The trainer speaks fondly of his work experience stint with legendary Melbourne trainer Angus Armanasco.
He talks of his decision to become a professional trainer, and the setting up of his business in Albury. He remembers the uncertain early days.
Ron clearly recalls his first training success at Balranald.
He speaks glowingly of the three horses to put him on his feet as a commercial trainer.
Ron recalls his first meeting with Petra, his wife and staunchest supporter.
He looks back on his decision to take a job with Finemore Transport who had a busy Albury base. His sons Kurt and Nick were 10 and 7 respectively, while daughter Abbey had just arrived in the world.
Ron talks of his twenty years in the transport game- some of it with Finemore Transport, some with Green Freights.
He says daughter Abbey’s love of horses partly influenced his decision to return to training.
Ron talks of his commitment to keeping his team at manageable numbers.
He talks of good performer Tap ‘N’ Run.
Ron rates his Albury Cup winner Spunlago as the best he’s trained to date.
He speaks admiringly of smart mare Boss Lady Rocks who’ll race at the Albury Cup carnival.
Ron pays tribute to some of the talented jockeys who’ve helped him along the way.
It’s a nice “chin wag” with a respected country horseman.
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
The Gosford racing precinct has never had a better ambassador than Angela Davies. The amiable trainer was born and reared in a cottage opposite the racecourse float entrance and hasn’t strayed far since. This is the story of a young girl who was pestering local trainers at five or six years of age, and has never wanted to do anything else but train racehorses. Angela had just returned from the Randwick trials when we called, and was pretty excited about one of her twelve horse team.
She talks fondly of Our Kobison with whom she’s won five recent races. The story behind this talented four year old is an inspiration to racing’s smaller players.
Angela takes us back to childhood days when she’d be out of bed in the dark to watch Gosford trackwork. Mum had one firm rule before she’d allow her daughter to leave the house.
She talks about her father Bruce, a former on course bookie who found an alternative way to service customers. Bruce vehemently discouraged her from becoming a jockey.
Angela reflects on the days when a stranger would climb onto the roof of the family home on Gosford race days.
The trainer takes us back to her early days in the show ring and the little business venture she started on gaining her first job.
She’s never forgotten the first horse she trained in her own right- a $1000 filly purchased straight out of a paddock.
Angela remembers her first yearling sale purchase- the $1250 dollar colt who was destined to become her first winner. He had a few quirks.
The devoted horsewoman started to buy cheap yearlings from low key sales. She looks back on some of the early winners to bring her talents under notice.
She talks of Clipper who was in foal when she came into the stable. She didn’t have much time but managed to win at Scone and Randwick with the expectant mum.
Angela talks of She’s A Stalker who won two in town and a Wyong 3YO Magic Millions.
She fondly remembers the talented Waitandwatch.
Angela acknowledges a few other horses to play a part in bringing her name to potential owners.
She talks of the little property at nearby Narara from which she’s been training her horses for almost three decades.
Angela takes us through the background story of the Wanted colt she hoped to buy for $5000. She was stressed when she had to go to $7500.
She takes us through the wonderful journey that led Through The Cracks to his win in the Provincial Championship Final, a dream result for his ten excited owners.
The trainer speaks fondly of Salina Dreaming who showed great talent despite several niggling issues.
Angela talks of her three year respite from racing in the late 1990’s to join the motherhood ranks. She pays tribute to daughter Georgia and son Jarred.
She’s both surprised and delighted to regularly hear from potential owners seeking shares in modestly priced horses.
This is a lovely yarn with a trainer whose effervescent personality shows through from go to whoa!
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Dominic Tourneur but I’m aware of his prominence among Adelaide jockeys and his success rate over a long period of years. We decided to find out a little more about his journey in racing by inviting him onto our podcast, and he was happy to oblige. Dominic was originally apprenticed in Perth but by his own admission was pretty half hearted in those early years. He worked a second job for most of his time in Geraldton where he won seven local premierships. Finally he bit the bullet and moved to Adelaide in 2005. He wouldn’t change a thing. Dominic begins by talking about his Mauritian parents Marie and George.
The premiership winning rider looks back on the day his mother told him about a newspaper ad calling for apprentice jockeys.
Dom talks of his first master, former champion jockey Graeme Webster.
He remembers a transfer to another Perth trainer Ted Martinovich who struggled to get young Tourneur focused.
Dom says he finished his apprenticeship with an unimpressive CV.
He talks of short stays in various towns before settling in Geraldton 400 kms from the capital. He looks back on those early days with partner Melissa by his side, and some temporary accommodation.
Dominic rode at Geraldton meetings but also worked a second job at a local car yard.
He looks back on his coming of age as a jockey, and seven Geraldton jockey titles.
Tourneur says he felt he was riding well enough to consider a move interstate. The toss of a coin decided his future.
He talks of the method he used to alert Adelaide trainers of his availability.
Dom acknowledges the leading trainer who used his services at trackwork, and gave him his first SA winner.
The jockey looks back on the important win that announced his arrival in the state.
He was thrilled to become associated with a promising stayer who would take him to Melbourne and bring him high profile opportunities.
Dom talks of the hype associated with his Melbourne Cup mount. He couldn’t believe he was on the favourite in the iconic two miler.
He takes us through that Cup of 2009.
The jockey reflects on two Gr 1 seconds on the same horse three years later.
Tourneur looks back on a successful association with prominent trainer Phillip Stokes, and the thrill of his first Gr 1 win.
He pays tribute to Hucklebuck, one of his all time favourite horses. He rode the Elvstroem gelding in all but one of 19 starts for six wins including a memorable Gr 1 at Flemington during the 2014 Melbourne Cup carnival.
Dom recalls making it a double in the final race on the same programme.
He says the day was made even more special when the owner of his two winners turned up unexpectedly from Hong Kong.
The jockey acknowledges the talents of two other notable winners he got to ride.
He talks of a chronic back problem which required major surgery.
Dom talks about the second job he instigated when Adelaide racing slipped into the doldrums a few years ago.
He talks about the interests of son Blake and daughter Hannah.
The successful jockey reflects on an Adelaide premiership win, and the luxury of being able to keep away from the sweat box.
Dom looks back on a career that has brought him 1750 winners. He still regrets having wasted valuable time early in his career.
It’s a laid back chat with a very amiable Adelaide jockey.
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
From the late 70’s to the mid 80’s Brent Thomson was almost certainly Australia’s most high profile jockey. As number one rider for the powerful Lindsay Park training operation, he got to ride some of the nation’s best horses in Group 1 races around the nation. Brent quit the saddle in 2000 and was quickly signed by New Zealand Bloodstock as the company’s Australian representative. He continues to fill that role from his Melbourne base. When you conduct an interview with a bloke like Brent Thomson, it’s hard to know where to start and where to finish. We give it a crack on this week’s podcast, beginning with his decision to retire at the end of a Macau stint twenty four years ago.
Brent talks of the vibrant state of racing in Macau at the time, and a Derby win on a smart horse called Cheerine Champion.
He recalls the final winning ride of his career on a horse with strong Australian connections.
We fast forward to his current situation and the diversified role he has with New Zealand Bloodstock.
The former champion jockey takes us right back to early days in Wanganui (sometimes Whanganui) and an apprenticeship to his father Kevin who rode successfully before turning to training.
Brent reminisces about his very first winning ride way over on the east coast of the north island.
He looks back on a NZ win on Fury’s Order which gained him the Cox Plate ride. He’s never forgotten the loyalty of the horse’s owner.
Brent takes us through one of the wettest Cox Plates on record.
He talks about the nickname bestowed upon him by a prominent Melbourne journalist- a nickname still used by friends and associates.
The former champion jockey looks back on a second Cox Plate win on Family Of Man, a horse he admired tremendously. He recalls the stallion’s swansong appearance at Pinjarra in WA.
Brent clearly recalls the day Colin Hayes called him out of the Trentham jockey’s room with a gobsmacking offer.
He talks of an opportunity to repay Colin Hayes by landing So Called a winner in the Cox Plate soon after beginning his new job.
Brent takes us right through his amazing association with champion Dulcify. Recollections of the great horse’s breakdown in the 1979 Melbourne Cup haunt him to this day.
He looks back on a seven year association with the legendary Colin Hayes.
Brent talks of the “pick up” ride on Gurner’s Lane which brought him the first of two Caulfield Cups. He was bitterly disappointed when Lindsay Park commitments prevented his riding the horse in the Melbourne Cup.
He looks back on a second Caulfield Cup on freakish mud runner Lord Reims.
Much has been written about Dandy Andy’s shock defeat of Vo Rogue at odds of 125/1 in the 1988 Australian Cup. He wasn’t keen to ride the horse.
Brent looks back on a UK trip instigated by Robert Sangster. He talks of the super horses he got to ride in two trips to Europe.
He also reflects on some notable success in Hong Kong.
Before taking up his Macau contract in the late 90’s Brent spent some time on the Gold Coast. He talks of a winning run for retired trainer Alan Bailey.
Brent takes us through his background in the “marriage stakes” and pays tribute to his four children and two grandchildren.
He looks back on a relatively lucky run with injury.
This is a lovely trip down memory lane with the Kiwi jockey who was one of the leading players in an era of great horses and unforgettable horsemen.
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
I deserve a reprimand for taking so long to catch up with Jenny Duggan. There are several well known facts about this 44 year old Swedish born jockey. She can hold her own on the back of a thoroughbred at any level. She’s a hard worker, she’s as tough as teak and thoroughly reliable. She’s a great wife to Ben, and a wonderful mum and stepmother. What more can I say. Let’s hear from Jen who begins by talking about the support she receives from country and provincial trainers. She gives great credit to manager Shaun Flaherty.
The jockey talks about a “near miss” on her old favourite Torrens in the recent black type Australia Day Cup.
She rates Torrens as her all time favourite.
Jenny talks about a happy childhood on the family dairy farm at Figeholm in Sweden. The dairy cows shared the paddocks with a handful of horses. The die was cast.
She recalls her parents having to drag her off the pony at dinner time.
Jen pays tribute to her late paternal grandfather, and to her parents Tony and Lisa.
The former Jenny Lindgren says the majority of “horsey” Swedish kids often finish up in trotting stables. She much preferred to ride.
She looks back on a memorable six month stint with NZ trainer Murray Baker.
Jenny talks about an invitation to visit Australia with a Swedish friend. The friend went home. Jenny is here for life.
She talks of her introduction to Warwick Farm trackwork for several stables.
The jockey reflects on a new job at Port Macquarie and a burgeoning romance with a well known amateur jockey. It wasn’t long before she joined her partner on the picnic circuit.
She talks of an exciting premiership win, and a meeting with Racing NSW regarding unsatisfactory amateur riding fees. That meeting would change the course of her life.
Jenny made her pro debut at Port Macquarie in 2012, and what a beginning! She won at her very first ride.
She looks back on a winning run that earned her the ride on a horse she still regards as the best she’s ridden.
Jen soon discovered that race riding is fraught with danger. Her winning streak was halted by a Newcastle fall which left her with serious injuries to a knee. She was out for the best part of a year.
She hasn’t forgotten her return to trackwork. Mother nature put her on the sidelines again.
It was another year off to get her new son up and running. Back to trackwork and you won’t believe what happened!
On finally returning to the saddle, Jenny says she intended to ride trackwork only. As her weight stabilised and her rhythm came back, the desire to ride in races surfaced again. It was brother-in-law Adam Duggan who agreed to apprentice her.
In selecting a few memorable wins to talk about, we reminded the jockey of a Randwick Highway win on Gumshoe for former boss Marc Quinn.
Jenny was going so well by Scone Cup day 2020, she had six rides at the meeting despite the presence of top Sydney riders. She just missed a place on a Chris Waller runner in the Cup, before crashing in a later race. She has no memory of the fall.
The resilient jockey lists her injuries and talks about an agonisingly slow and tedious rehabilitation. There was never a hint of retirement.
She recalls the exciting return to the track, and a Port Macquarie double at her fourth meeting on the comeback trail.
Jenny looks back on a very successful return hindered by a recurrence of an injury from the Scone fall. She talks of a decision to take a complete break from racing and a return to her native Sweden. She took her sons Max and Sebastian along to spend time with their grandparents.
The long holiday fixed the problem. Jen resumed in December 2022 and won a race at Tamworth second day back. Then came a Randwick win which meant the world to her.
The jockey doesn’t mind admitting she’s one of Australia’s most senior female riders.
She talks of her ability to ride near the limit weight, and her current trackwork roster.
Great to catch up with the Swedish girl who had to be dragged off the pony when her dinner was on the table.
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
I first met Tony Lee when I had the honour to be guest commentator at the 1996 Wellington Cup meeting. In preparing to call a couple of races on the big programme, I received every possible courtesy from the NZ ace. Tony went out of his way to help me through a plethora of strange colours and horse names. I tuned in to hear his description of the recent Wellington Cup won by Mary Louise- his broadcasting swan song after four decades of wonderful service to NZ racing. I called Tony a few days after his Trentham send off to record this tribute to a man whose race calls whetted the appetites of generations of racing fans.
He recalls the warmth of the farewell afforded him by the racing industry.
Tony says his last Wellington Cup was a tricky race to call.
He pays tribute to trainer Robbie Paterson and jockey Craig Grylls who bagged a Gr 1 double on the day.
The veteran caller outlines the reasons for his surprise retirement.
Tony reminisces about the 1996 Wellington Cup meeting when he and I worked together for the first and only time.
The 65 year old looks back on childhood days on the family farm at Rongotea near Palmerston North. He says his late brother Craig was the one to introduce him to horse racing.
Tony goes back to early days as a sound recordist with a local news crew. He says he loved the buzz of the media world.
He talks of his admiration for the late Peter Kelly, New Zealand’s favourite race caller of the day.
Tony looks back on his race calling debut at the Hutt Park trots.
Lee became famous for the passion he generated in his race descriptions. He talks about the development of his style.
Tony talks about Castletown’s third Wellington Cup win in 1994. The words he used in the closing stages of his call are still repeated by racing fans of all ages.
He pays tribute to the remarkable two miler Castletown, one of the country’s greatest ever stayers.
The ace commentator talks of Xcellent’s memorable win in the 2005 Mudgway Stakes, and the call that people still talk about.
Horse lover Lee says he fell in love with Starcraft the moment he first saw him in the Hastings parade yard before the 2004 Mudgway Stakes.
Tony talks of his affection for the Hastings track and runs through some of the other racecourses in the Central Districts.
Regrettably he saw little of northern trained Sunline, but he did get to call her final race in NZ- the 2002 Mudgway Stakes. He says local fans gave her an unforgettable send off.
Tony acknowledges the deeds of a handful of other special horses.
He talks of the 2012 disagreement with TAB Trackside which saw him walk away from his plum role. Eager to test the water out of NZ he spent two years with the Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia. He enjoyed the experience.
Tony recalls the twist of fate that would send him back to his old job.
He pays tribute to some of the NZ trainers he’s admired over the years.
In talking about jockeys he relates a funny story about the day at Otaki when he and trainer Alexander Fieldes put on an exhibition gallop.
Tony talks about a business venture outside of racing. He and wife Briar run the Trax Bar and Cafe at Wellington railway station.
It’s a laid back trip down memory lane with a man who’s been a great friend to NZ racing.
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
In order to find the right races for his horses, Ben Brisbourne makes full use of his ideal Wangaratta base to campaign in two states. He frequently has runners in rural Victoria but often appears in the NSW Riverina region. Great to catch up with a young horseman from a Shropshire racing family in the UK, who arrived in Melbourne unheralded and unsung a decade ago. He looks back on his reasons for trying the Aussie scene.
Ben says he had a few contacts in Australia before making such a bold move.
He looks back on track work duties for a handful of Melbourne trainers.
The expatriate Englishman talks of his rewarding five years with the Lindsay Park operation at Euroa.
Ben takes us back to his early life at Shrewsbury in Shropshire and the influence of his father Mark. He talks of Mark’s achievement in the riding and training ranks.
He identifies two tracks where his father enjoyed great success, and talks of his achievements with inexpensive horses.
Ben says Mark was forced to walk away from training for a while, but is back in the game as foreman for a high profile trainer.
Brisbourne looks back on a college degree which he attained simply to appease his parents.
The Wangaratta trainer looks back on valuable time spent with a legendary UK jumps trainer.
Ben looks back on his brief career as an amateur jockey.
He fondly recalls his first meeting with a vet nurse at Lindsay Park who was destined to become his partner and the mother of his twin sons.
Ben outlines Heather’s short career as a jockey and the painful back injury that brought her riding aspirations to a close.
He talks of their Wangaratta farm, and the twin boys who keep them busy from dawn to dusk. He acknowledges Heather’s role in the running of the business.
The trainer looks at the Wangaratta training facilities and its ideal location.
Ben won’t forget the trip to NSW which brought a memorable win in the famous Snake Gully Cup.
He goes back to the magical occasion of his very first training win with Shoplifter at Albury, and the equally exciting experience of winning his first city win.
Ben acknowledges the special horses who’ve contributed to his rise in the training ranks.
He talks of the talented apprentices who’ve been part of his journey.
The thirty five year old revisits the thrill of an unexpected trainer’s award in 2021.
Ben discusses his immediate plans, and looks to the future.
Ben Brisbourne continues to make his presence felt in the horse training ranks. He doesn’t have a single regret about leaving his native England a decade ago.