As a youngster Tony McEvoy looked forward to a long career as a jockey. As it turned out he was just 19 when increasing weight put an end to that dream, but not before he’d topped a century of wins. His talents in the saddle and devotion to duty saw him rewarded with two amazing opportunities at Gr 1 level in 1977. Young Mc Evoy rode a copybook race on Deesse to win the South Australian Oaks. He went tantalisingly close to completing the 3YO classic double when So Called went under narrowly to Stormy Rex in the Derby. His training career began under tragic circumstances when appointed head trainer for Lindsay Park following the death of Peter Hayes in a light aircraft crash in 2001.Tony’s subsequent journey has been one of racing’s greatest stories. The master horseman takes us on a sentimental journey on this week’s podcast. He begins by talking about he and son Calvin’s dual operation at Flemington and Ballarat. Tony looks back on Calvin’s early fascination with racing. He says racehorses dominated his every thought while growing up in the Barossa Valley.  He looks back on early days in Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula and pays tribute to his parents. Mother Connie is still living independently at a remarkable age. Tony looks back on his first apprenticeship with local trainer Bill Holland. His nephew Kerrin started with the same astute trainer. He clearly remembers the thrill of his first winning ride at Balaclava on a horse trained by the local race caller. Tony talks of a transfer to champion trainer Colin Hayes and the highlights of his brief but successful riding career. He looks back on a near miss in attempting the Oaks/Derby double. He pays tribute to two outstanding mares he got to ride for the Lindsay Park operation. The veteran horseman speaks affectionately of his personal favourite among the Hayes trained horses. Tony looks back on his delight when offered a job on the Lindsay Park team following his retirement from race riding. He reflects on the shock accident that claimed the life of Peter Hayes and the sadness that followed at Lindsay Park. With David Hayes already committed to a Hong Kong contract, Tony was appointed head trainer at the famous Angaston operation. He was privileged to train the classy Fields Of Omagh during this initial stint, and was thrilled to win the SA Oaks twenty six years after he’d won the race as a jockey. Tony looks back on the decision by David Hayes in 2010 to move the entire Lindsay Park operation to Victoria. He says he gave strong consideration to remaining on the team but received opposition from daughter Eliza and son Calvin. He pays tribute to wife, Jo, whom he met at Lindsay Park during her time as a valued trackwork rider.   Tony takes us through the fascinating story of his friendship with Wayne Mitchell  who eventually purchased the Lindsay Park training operation. Wayne remains Tony’s business partner. Like most South Australian participants Tony says he was thrilled to win the historic Goodwood Hcp shortly before relocating to Victoria. The trainer takes us through the fairy tale story of the purchase of Half Yours and the gelding’s spectacular rise in the staying ranks last spring. For he and Calvin, it was a dream come true so early in their partnership. We obviously devote the appropriate space to McEvoy’s recollection of Sunlight’s short but brilliant career. Tony pays a fitting tribute to his four time Gr 1 winning warrior Hey Doc. He acknowledges his SA Derby win with good filly Coco Sun. Tony and Calvin were pretty excited when their French import Yellow Jersey began his spring campaign in Saturday’s Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield. Tony shares the backstory. He talks of another French import they have in the stable who recently strung together 4 straight city wins. Nearco Frod is raced by an OTI syndicate. Tony McEvoy’s journey in racing is the kind of story podcasts are made for. Delighted to have him share that story on this week’s edition.

Youngest jockey to win a metropolitan premiership in Australia last season was Tasmania’s  27 year old Erica Byrne Burke. Second youngest was 29 year old Ben Thompson who was dominant in winning the Brisbane title.  34 year old James McDonald predictably won the Sydney honours, while 40 year old William Pike claimed yet another Perth premiership. 49 year old Craig Williams was superb in winning his tenth Melbourne title, but it was Adelaide veteran Jason Holder who dominated the headlines by winning his fourth metro premiership at the remarkable age of 50. “Stubby” Holder hasn’t been on the podcast for six years. He was happy to join us again to talk about his new lease of life. He says this was the most satisfying of his 4 premiership wins. The popular jockey talks about his good start to the new season. He recalls the origins of his longtime nickname of “Stubby”. Jason talks of three stakes wins last season, one of them on Air Assault. He’s won nine races on the Andrew Gluyas trained gelding. Stubby says he’s all the better for riding a touch heavier nowadays. The jockey pays tribute to manager Cheree Gask and talks of his recently adopted relaxation therapy. He talks of partner Ghiann’s involvement in the racing industry.    Jason talks of a new business venture launched in collaboration with daughter Paris. He talks of happy days in a popular husky club. While other jockeys were playing golf Stubby was out on the trail with his Siberian huskies. The champion jockey says his initial interest in thoroughbreds was inspired by his mother’s passion for racing.   He looks back on a happy apprenticeship to Leon Macdonald and an enduring friendship with the recently retired trainer. He has a funny story about his early participation in Adelaide barrier trials. Jason looks back on his first ride, first winner and maiden city success. The jockey says he was thrilled to win the historic Goodwood Hcp early in his career. He looks back on a memorable feature double on the Colin Alderson trained French Resort in 1996. The Victorian trainer wanted a local jockey and Stubby got the job. Jason looks back on his only Melbourne Cup ride, a third placing on Skybeau. This was the first of the gelding’s five Melbourne Cup starts. The multiple premiership winner talks of his SA Derby win on Markham and an opportunity on the same horse in the Caulfield Cup. He thought he was a chance of gaining the Melbourne Cup ride but it was not to be. Holder looks back on his bittersweet four year stay in Queensland A partnership with Bruce McLachlan brought him a Magic Millions win on Phelan Ready in 2009. A serious Eagle farm race fall later cost him a possible Golden Slipper win on the same horse. He looks back on a series of overseas stints after returning from a four month absence. He enjoyed great success in Mauritius, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau. On returning to Adelaide in 2015/2016 he set his sights on a third metro premiership and duly succeeded. Jason browses through a list of his favourite horses. This is a laid back chat with yet another legend from the state that has been producing top jockeys for many decades.

It was champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy who strongly recommended Shane Green as a potential podcast guest. The two became friends when Shane was working for the Darley organisation and Kerrin was under retainer as stable jockey. It’s taken a while to make it happen, but we have the ever versatile Mr. Green on the podcast this week. He begins by talking about his enduring friendship with the multiple Gr 1 winning jockey.  Shane says his current role as an NDIS carer came out of the blue. He talks about Darwin’s many appealing features.  Shane was just 10 years old when he became a regular at Dapto dogs. He recalls  standing outside the broadcast box hanging on every word uttered by a famous caller of the day. He says he was almost 16 when given the opportunity to call the Moss Vale dogs at very short notice. His father got him the job. Shane has never forgotten the persistent kid from Sydney who regularly attended Moss Vale meetings pleading for the chance to call a race or two. He finally relented and unwittingly laid the foundations for a high profile career. The 64 year old talks about a later appointment as on course caller at the Nowra greyhounds. He handled broadcasting duties at Moss Vale and Nowra for many years. Shane first played Rugby League at age 6. He looks back on his progression from the under 7’s to the under 18’s and finally to the Country Seconds side.  He remembers a brief but successful coaching career after a nasty injury terminated his playing days. Shane says he had the “wanderlust” from an early age. He looks back on a rewarding stint at a Western Australian thoroughbred stud. He later worked for a prominent Ascot trainer. Back home on the Southern Highlands he became friendly with the father of a prominent Sydney horseman who happened to hold a key role at a huge training operation. Shane says he followed up promptly. The interview got off to a bad start. His efficiency in the new job later led to an interstate transfer.  Shane got to look after some outstanding horses during his time in Melbourne. He talks about a couple of special ones. He reflects on several happy years with a succession of leading trainers.  Shane talks about his very first trip to Alice Springs and an opportunity to get back into the broadcasting business. He also got to help out in a leading Alice Springs stable. During his eleven years as Pioneer Park  broadcaster Shane trained horses in his own right. He looks back on the difficulty associated with doing two jobs. He has no doubt about the best horse he’s seen in the Northern Territory.  Kerrin McEvoy said this bloke would make a very interesting podcast guest. He was right!

A calm and composed riding technique with a demeanour to match, are the attributes that have endeared Koby Jennings to many trainers in his fifteen year career. After spending the latter part of his apprenticeship in Sydney the heavyweight rider joined the fully fledged ranks knowing his opportunities would be restricted by weight. Nevertheless he rode winners consistently, earning the respect of some of Sydney’s most astute trainers.Koby’s CV is highlighted by wins in a Provincial Championship Final and a Golden Eagle. Two years ago he returned to his hometown of Traralgon and the winners have continued to flow across the region. He’s currently taking a break from the sweat box and trying his hand as a businessman. He’s on the podcast this week to bring us up to date. Koby begins by assuring us that he has no intention of abandoning his beloved thoroughbreds. In fact he’s still riding regular trackwork. He talks of his association with Will Hayes who runs Lindsay Park’s Pakenham stables.  Koby says it took an age for him to get any traction among the Victorian riding ranks when he relocated from Sydney two years ago.  The 31 year old outlines the reasons for his current absence from the race riding ranks. The heavyweight jockey talks about his acquisition of a Jim’s Mowing franchise in Traralgon West. He looks forward to the challenge. Koby takes us back to his original apprenticeship to his late grandfather and the excitement of his first race ride. He says it took him a long time to crack it for that elusive first win. He reflects on that unforgettable day at Stony Creek. The jockey looks back on a loan-out to Darwin trainer Stephen Brown and an exciting eighteen months in the Top End. Also in Darwin was jockey Carl Spry who later got an opportunity in Canberra. Koby says he decided to go with Carl and was fortunate to get a start with trainer Mark Schmetzer who supported him admirably. He talks of a brief stint with the Jones/Joseph team in Canberra which preceded a move to Randwick trainer Kevin Moses. He talks of the valued tutorship from the former ace jockey.  Koby looks back on his chance meeting with a young Dutch girl who was working for Anthony Cummings at the same time. Koby and Nerissa are nowadays the proud parents of son Declan and daughter Riley.He looks back on time spent with Jim and Greg Lee in the latter stages of his apprenticeship.  He reflects on one special day towards the end of his junior term when he won four races for different stables at a Rosehill Gardens Saturday meeting. Koby talks of happy associations with several prominent stables, and pays tribute to the trainers in question. He looks back on a thrilling two year old win on the Gold Coast for trainer Nathan Doyle and a Calibre Syndication ownership group. Koby says his association with Doyle continued after his  move back to Victoria. The jockey looks back on his association with Bobbing, a horse who qualified for the Provincial Championship despite a serious setback. He looks back on the gelding’s huge effort to win the $500,000 Final. He acknowledges the training performance by Bernie Kelly. Koby takes us through the “before and after” of his unexpected Golden Eagle win on Colette in the Godolphin colours.  He remembers two stakes wins on the John Sargent trained Luvaluva and a surprise trip to NZ to ride the mare in a Gr 1 event at Te Rapa. In a complete change of direction Koby talks of his passion for deep sea fishing and the fibre glass boat he treated like a prized thoroughbred. He looks back on fishing expeditions many kilometres from home base. He pays tribute to his trainer father Troy who’s continuing to train a small team of horses despite ongoing health issues.  It’s a nice yarn with a very disciplined  heavyweight jockey who hasn’t squandered an opportunity in his fifteen years of race riding.  You can’t help but get the feeling his career isn’t over yet.

I couldn’t believe Katelyn McDonald had actually found the time to join the podcast until we were five minutes into the interview. As it turned out she took more than an hour out of her hectic schedule to cover a wide range of subjects. From a celebrated family of Victorian jockeys Katelyn Mallyon enjoyed a rewarding eight years in the saddle which brought a string of black type wins including a coveted Gr 1 success. Her life changed direction abruptly in 2017 when she met a talented young NZ jockey at a Melbourne dinner party. Today Mr. and Mrs. James McDonald are the proud parents of two delightful little girls. James works hard to maintain his reputation as one of the world’s most elite riders. His wife works equally as hard in her multifaceted life.  Katelyn begins by talking about her young daughters, Evie almost 4 and Mia who recently turned 2. She pays tribute to her NZ  mother-in-law Diane who now lives in Sydney. She talks about a  couple of her husband’s habitual idiosyncrasies. She says James thinks of little else but racing while keeping a close watch on his weight. Katelyn looks back on James’ response when she announced her intention to quit the saddle in 2018. She talks of her regular involvement with the Ch 7 racing coverage and the opportunity to work with some talented media performers. Katelyn explains her long time working association with the popular “Punters.com.au” platform. She looks back on her early aspirations to become a jockey with special mention of the influence of her paternal grandfather Mick Mallyon, one of the most talented riders of his generation. Mick is now 86 and going strongly. Katelyn outlines the racing backgrounds of her father Brett and mother Mary. She looks back on childhood days at the local pony club. She talks of her initial apprenticeship to father Brett and a later transfer to the Ellerton/Zarah training partnership. She remembers her very first win, and maiden city success. The effervescent young mother looks back on an apprentice’s premiership in 2011/2012, the first female to achieve that special milestone. Late in her premiership winning season Katelyn was involved in the worst fall of her riding career. Despite being sidelined for ten weeks she had a big enough lead to win the junior title. She talks about the thrill of winning a second apprentice’s crown two years later.   She looks back on the achievement that brought one of her greatest racing thrills. With just a few weeks of her apprenticeship remaining, young Ms. Mallyon won on Miss Cooper at Sandown to outride her metropolitan claim. Her supreme racing moment came in the autumn of 2017 when she joined the Gr 1 club. Katelyn combined with gutsy mare Silent Sedition to win the prestigious William Reid Stakes under the lights at Moonee Valley. She revisits the backstory surrounding the whole magical experience.  The talented former jockey remembers her one and only Melbourne Cup ride on the Lloyd Williams owned Assign, and enjoys telling the story of the fateful day at Flemington when she relegated her future husband into second place. She pays tribute to respected jockey agent Matthew Alesci who guided her entire eight year riding career. Katelyn delights in telling the story of the Melbourne dinner party when she first made the acquaintance of James McDonald. A well known Sydney jockey played “Cupid”. She talks of the disqualification that sidelined James for eighteen months. An overseas trip together was destined to lead to marriage and parenthood. Katelyn  talks of the surprise invitation she received to take part in an International Jockey’s Challenge in Japan. She enjoyed every minute of the adventure. She looks back on a permanent move to Sydney and the final few months of her riding career. It was a delight to profile the incredible journey thus far of a young lady whose destiny was set in stone. She hasn’t wasted a single minute.

Activities like pony club, showjumping and eventing were not on Shannen Llewelleyn’s radar during her teen years on the NSW Central Coast. That’s not to say she didn’t like horses. In fact the idea of buying herself a suitable steed one day had crossed her mind more than once. A job at a local Woolworths Supermarket allowed Shannen to save diligently, and it wasn’t long before she had enough spare cash to buy the horse of her dreams. That horse turned out to be a standardbred who’d never made it to the racetrack. She named him “Shadow” and began the slow, tedious process of teaching herself to ride from scratch. Not surprisingly there were a few anxious moments. Memories of old “Shadow” are beginning to fade these days as she boots home winner after winner on NSW racetracks- 150 winners in fact since March of 2024. Shannen joins us on the podcast to talk about her rapid rise. She begins by talking about her recent transition to metropolitan racing. Shannen talks about the crowded lady jockey’s rooms these days in and out of the city.  The 24 year old talks about her early upbringing at Lismore and the family’s relocation to the Central Coast eleven years ago. She talks of her scholarly attributes. Shannen says she moved back to Lismore for a while and began her working life with Woolworths.  When the time came to rejoin her mother and sister, she was fortunate to gain a transfer to a Central Coast Woolworths store. At age 19 she purchased her own horse. Shannen later sought a second job with hours to fit in with her Woolworths commitment. That job happened to be with a thoroughbred operation run by a master horseman.The journey had begun. She says a short stint followed with Wyong trainer Kim Waugh which led to an offer from leading Western Districts trainer Brett Robb. Shannen says she rode in almost 40 barrier trials before applying for a licence to ride in races. The process seemed to take forever. She looks back on her very first race ride at Dubbo, and admits she got a scare when the horse “bucked” out of the gates. The young jockey was thrilled to win at her 5th race ride on Dubbo favourite Elson Boy from the Dar Lunn stable. Shannen couldn’t believe her luck when she rode another winner just two days later. She rode for just four months of her first season in the saddle, and couldn’t believe the winning run that came her way. Shannen talks about the offer she received from trainer Jane Clement which saw her move to Bendemeer near Tamworth. She loved the experience. She talks of a Parkes Cup win last year on veteran galloper Knife’s Edge.  Shannen talks of her move to the Nathan Doyle stable at Newcastle a year ago. She acknowledges the horses to give her seven metropolitan wins so far. The jockey says her weight is giving her no problems at this stage of her career. Shannen makes special mention of her favourite horse to this point in time.  She talks of devoted mum Danielle and older sister Lakisha. Shannen admits to being overwhelmed by the good fortune to come her way in such a short time.

John Sadler’s coming up 72 next birthday and can look back on a fascinating  career. He’s possibly more content currently than he’s ever been, working a team of just thirty horses at the widely lauded Pakenham training centre. Half the team are pre-trainers for good friends, the other half racehorses owned by valued clients old and new. It hasn’t been all beer and skittles for the Terang born trainer with recurring bouts of depression and one unfortunate run in with a senior steward during the infamous Aquanita Racing scandal that came to light in 2017. That misdemeanour cost John six weeks on the sidelines. You’ll hear his side of the story on the upcoming podcast. John begins by acknowledging the merits of the state of the art Pakenham training precinct. He talks about his team of thirty horses and the pre-training support given him by fellow trainers. The veteran horseman talks of life on the farm at Terang in the 1950’s. John talks of Terang’s history in both thoroughbred and harness racing. He pays tribute to his remarkable parents Lindsay and Mary. His father died in 1993 at 95 years of age. His mother stayed around for much longer. John remembers friendships formed in schooldays that would introduce him to the racing game. He talks of the modest start he made as a trainer on the small property he’d purchased at Colac. John reflects on his very first win as a trainer and the unforgettable thrill of his maiden metropolitan win. You’ll enjoy the trainer’s reminiscences about the ageless Pressman’s Choice and the betting plunge he landed with the horse in the 1991 Hamilton Cup. Few knew what dire financial straits he was in at the time. John fondly remembers his very first Gr 1 win with Jolly Old Mac. The trainer acknowledges the talents of Kenvain and Lady Jakeo, a star two year old filly of the early 90’s. He hasn’t forgotten the surprise phone call from jockey Greg Hall which led to an exciting overseas training stint. On returning to Melbourne after his 4 year Dubai experience, John received an unexpected offer from leviathan owner Lloyd Williams. He became private trainer for Williams from Flemington to begin with, and later from the owners’ lavish Macedon Lodge training operation. John has one small regret about the Macedon Lodge experience revolving around Melbourne Cup winner Efficient. When his arrangement with Macedon Lodge ran its course, John opted to team up with young trainer Troy Corstens at Flemington under the Malua Racing banner. The four year partnership was both successful and harmonious.  John relates the amazing story of a new Swedish owner and the acquisition of Linton, a horse he knew well from the Macedon Lodge days. A Gr 1 success would follow. He was more than happy to talk about his recurring battles with depression. He was able to bounce back from several low periods. Today, with the right advice and continued treatment he’s on top of the problem. John looks back on the infamous Aquanita Racing scandal which resulted in multiple disqualifications. His horses were stabled in the same barn which would later bring him unwanted “fall-out”. It all came to a head when a senior steward scratched one of John’s horses from a Gr 3 race. His subsequent outburst resulted in a six week suspension. He talks of two marriages and seven children, two of whom are heavily involved in racing- Tom as a jockey and trainer, Edward as race caller and TV presenter. We conclude the podcast by pressuring John to nominate a horse or two from his current team likely to visit the winner’s circle in the near future. He suggests two mares who are already multiple winners, but far from finished yet. An enjoyable chat with one of Victoria’s most respected horsemen. John Sadler tells it as it is.

Few trainers have had a busier week than Brett Dodson. He left Coffs Harbour on Thursday July 9th with his bonny mare Petticoat who was to start in a BM78 at Randwick two days later. It was a case of so near but yet so far as Petticoat went down by a whisker to Zouripper.  As soon as Petticoat was ready to travel Brett embarked on the arduous journey back to Coffs.  He had good reason to feel a little the worse for wear by the time he arrived at the Grafton track on Sunday with Miss Midas Touch for the 1400m maiden. Despite copping a hefty bump at the 300m, the mare grabbed the lead for a few strides before finishing third to You Are Mind and Occupation. No wins, but good runs by both Petticoat and Miss Midas Touch.  Brett Dodson rarely has more than a dozen horses in work and is prepared to take them wherever they have the best chance of earning prize money. Tamworth born Dodson became “hooked” on racing in his early teens and resolved from the outset to seek a future in the industry. He recorded 13 wins and 30 placings as a professional jockey before increasing weight halted his progress. He switched immediately to the picnic circuit where he enjoyed success for two full seasons. Brett had a trainer’s licence by age 18 and has put it to good use over more than three decades. He begins by talking about the long road trip to Sydney with Petticoat and the reliable mare’s gutsy performance in Saturday’s Keiran Moore BM78 at Randwick. The trainer says he had to shrug off fatigue to saddle Miss Midas Touch at Grafton twenty four hours later.  Brett outlines the backstory of his promising five year old My Mum’s Toyboy. He profiles the gelding’s pedigree and talks of the success he’s enjoyed with others out of the same mare. He says there wasn’t a trace of racing in his family background. Brett confirms his passion for racing was initially generated by TV and radio coverage. He later became a subscriber to two famous monthly magazines. He talks of a friendship with a former prominent Sydney jockey who gifted him one of his old saddles.  Brett says it all started when he visited local trainer Terry Wicks to seek advice on how best to gain an apprenticeship. He was in for a very pleasant surprise. He clearly remembers his first race ride and his first trip to the winner’s circle.  Brett says soaring weight quickly terminated any suggestion of a long term career as a professional jockey. He looks back on two happy seasons as an  amateur rider. The Coffs Harbour horseman remembers his first training win with a horse purchased cheaply from another stable.He looks back on an invaluable learning experience with talented trainer Tim Martin. Brett talks about his stint as private trainer for owner/breeder Andrew Pratten who had his horses based at Inverell. He later encouraged Andrew to consider moving his horses to the balmier climate at Coffs Harbour. He pays tribute to the two horses who provided him with black type success. The trainer acknowledges a few talented horses to help him along the way and gives a shoutout to a promising rising three year old he has in his care. Brett shares the story of the amazing business deal he was able to strike with Hong Kong agents just on two years ago.  He talks of his ongoing friendship with prominent Brisbane jockey Kyle Wilson Taylor. This is a nice chat with a bush trainer who hasn’t regretted a single day spent in the racing industry.

Almost without exception successful horse trainers are hard workers. There’s a 35 year old Grafton based Mum who’s in accord with the quote made famous by former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who said “hard work won’t always get you to the top but with ordinary luck will get you pretty near.” Samantha’s been around horses from the toddling stage. After notable success in the pony club and campdrafting pursuits, she transitioned to thoroughbreds by becoming a trackwork rider at the busy Grafton training precinct. A successful two and a half year stint as a jockey triggered her interest in the training of the animal and that’s where we find her today. Sam works a team of twenty horses from Hosier Lodge right on the Grafton track and has already established a reputation as a very serious young trainer in the  northern region. Samantha and husband Matt McGuren live 20 kms outside Grafton requiring very early starts for both. Matt is currently having a break from the rigours of the sweat box but still has a significant input into stable duties. Sam says he rides a number of horses before heading off to his day job. She pays tribute to Matt’s skills as a professional jockey and the other talents he’s been able to develop along the way.  Sam says she doesn’t ride as much trackwork these days but still needs to be on standby. She acknowledges the input of her stable apprentice Grace Palmer and a handful of other jockeys who help out from time to time. The young mother talks about her darling daughters Makella and Addison. Thirteen year old Makella already has her future well and truly earmarked. Sam talks about her lifetime passion for campdrafting and the nasty injury she suffered three years ago. She still marvels at her good luck in finding the right horse to kick start her training career. Digital online purchase Fortyfive Parklane won 6 races for his fledgling trainer. Sam gives a shoutout to a few special horses who helped to get her training career up and running. She looks back on childhood days at Maclean near Grafton and her early fascination with horses. Samantha looks  back on her introduction to trackwork at Grafton. She was besotted from “day 1.” The dedicated horsewoman reflects on her apprenticeship to Grafton trainer Terry Commerford whose support was invaluable. Sam remembers the thrill of her first race win and the momentum she was able to generate during her apprenticeship. That momentum enabled her to become champion northern rivers apprentice in the 2010/2011 season. She had a soft spot for the Commerford trained Montana Hilton who remains the favourite from her race riding days. Sam looks back on the transfer of her indentures to respected Taree trainer Ross Stitt who also gave her partner Matt McGuren a role in his busy operation. She talks of her admiration for Sydney based fellow female rider Kathy O’Hara.  This is a laid back chat with a dedicated young trainer who sees herself being around thoroughbreds for the duration of her working life.

Bob and Jenny Vance train a very small team at Ardmore in Auckland but boast a healthy strike rate with a Gr 1 win already on the board. I have vivid recollections of Bob winning the 1993 W.S Cox Plate on The Phantom Chance- the first of five Cox Plates I got to call for the Nine Network. Just three years after winning the famous Moonee Valley feature, Bobby Vance decided to call time on his stellar riding career and join his wife Jenny in the training ranks. Swedish born Jenny Moller had also enjoyed a very successful career in the saddle. We tracked Bob down last week and he agreed to join us on this week’s podcast. He begins by talking of the Ardmore training complex and says he and Jenny run the operation unassisted. He reflects on the thrill of a Gr 1 training win at Te Rapa in 2021 with an expat Hong Kong galloper. Bob looks back on he and Jenny’s initial reaction when daughter Maija announced her intention to become a jockey. He talks of Maija’s immediate success in NZ and a subsequent five year stint in Australia. The former ace jockey talks of Maija’s switch to jumps riding and the career ending injuries she sustained in a crash at Rotorua. Bob says he was watching the race on TV in Auckland and knew instantly Maija was in serious trouble. He talks of his daughter’s horrific injury list and her amazing recovery over a period of years. Maija is now training in tandem at Cambridge with partner Josh. Bobby looks  back on childhood days in Auckland and a work experience stint with a legendary Ellerslie trainer. When the time was right for Bob to be signed up as an apprentice jockey he had to go all the way to Matamata. He was required to go to school when stable chores were completed. Bob looks back on a very unhappy episode in his life.  He remembers the stroke of good fortune that led him to an apprenticeship with legendary Takanini horseman Colin Jillings. He was there for the duration of his junior term and beyond. The Jillings/Vance partnership soon reached dizzy heights with the ongoing success of star galloper Uncle Remus. Bob looks back on his 4 win haul in the prestigious NZ Derby. He pays tribute to the training skills of Colin Jillings whose passing in 2022 saddened the entire NZ racing industry. Bob remembers with affection his two Auckland Cup wins. Vance makes special mention of another great favourite Mr. McGinty (his name whenever he raced in Australia). He’s never forgotten the colt’s Sydney debut and a defeat of “boom  colt” Marscay. He literally won the race on three legs. Bob reflects on Mr. McGinty’s amazing comeback and a swag of Gr 1 victories as a three year old. He talks of McGinty’s subsequent success at the stud. The former jockey talks of multiple premiership wins at home. Bob looks back on a wonderful association with The Phantom Chance and that dominant Cox Plate win in 1993.  Bob had been retired three years when invited by the VRC to participate in a non betting event at Flemington against some legendary former champion riders. He enjoyed the experience. He gives a special “shout out” to mum Ronnie who’s still going strong in NZ. This is a nostalgic journey with one of New Zealand’s best riders from the 80’s and 90’s.