Our regular podcast has catered principally for racing fans since its introduction seven years ago. This week we break the mould by presenting an interview with Royce Simmons OAM who reached dizzy heights in his footballing career as both player and coach. From the time of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2022, Royce hasn’t left a stone unturned in keeping himself fit enough to pursue every avenue in raising money for dementia research. His results have been inspiring. The celebrated hooker played in 238 games for Penrith between 1980-1991, ten  for the NSW Blues and another ten in the green and gold of Australia. Every time I run into Royce at a sporting function I’m reminded of the fact that he should be a guest on our podcast. I issued an invitation at a recent Panthers charity luncheon and he graciously accepted. 

Royce talks about his current state of health and the success of the “Royce’s Big Walk” initiative which has raised thousands of dollars for dementia research.

He talks about his recent hosting role at a Saturday afternoon Panthers initiative called “Royce’s Race Day”. Members and guests got to enjoy the best in food and drinks, good fellowship and the opportunity to chat with one of Penrith’s favourite sons. 

Royce talks of his love of a dabble but doesn’t rate himself as a successful punter.

The Penrith Hall Of Famer talks of early life in the Lachlan Valley township of Canowindra where he developed a liking for the Rugby Union code.

Royce talks of his hard working parents and his siblings - two sisters and one brother. He reflects on a move to nearby Gooloogong when his father George purchased the local butcher shop.

He brings up the subject of Cocky Raider, a champion pacer of the late 60’s and early 70’s who was trained in the town by Jack McWilliam. Royce was just ten or eleven years of age but hasn’t forgotten the impact Cocky Raider had on the 500 residents of Gooloogong. 

Royce looks back on his subsequent move to the big smoke and trial games for St George and South Sydney. 

He hasn’t forgotten an unexpected approach from the Penrith Club generated by a recommendation from Parramatta star Barry Rushworth. To make it all come together Royce had to play two trial games in twenty four hours.

Many have forgotten that Simmons played lock forward in his first year with Penrith. 

The former champion hooker talks of the radical changes in the scrum feed.

He looks back on his unforgettable debut for the NSW Blues in 1984. 

Royce says he lost the job to Benny Elias in 1985, but returned the following year to get “Man Of The Match” in Game 1.

His form in the 1986 State Of Origin series earned him a spot in the Kangaroo squad to play three tests against NZ. He was the first Penrith product to play for Australia.

Later in 1986 Royce toured with the Kangaroo side in a six test series against Papua New Guinea, Great Britain and France. He didn’t get a break that year.

Royce talks about his seven years as captain of the Penrith side, a role he took very seriously.

He looks back on Penrith’s clash with a very strong Canberra side in the Winfield Cup Grand Final of 1990. 

Perhaps Royce Simmons is best remembered for his two try contribution to Penrith’s first ever premiership win in 1991. It was his final appearance as a player, and one he’ll never forget.

Royce takes us through the circumstances under which his “double” eventuated.

The OAM inductee takes us through his coaching days which began with the St Mary’s first grade side but soon escalated to loftier heights.

On returning to Australia Royce was invited to take over the role of Panthers coach from the departing Phil Gould.

Royce looks back on seven happy years as assistant coach of the Wests Tigers under the leadership of Tim Sheens.

The former Penrith legend was gobsmacked when an offer came for him to coach the famous St Helen’s Club in England. It didn’t work out quite as well as Royce had hoped.

He pays tribute to his wonderful family - wife Liane, children Kirk, Britt, Carly and Demi and special mention of seven grandchildren.

Royce acknowledges the administrative talents of Brian Fletcher who recently announced impending retirement from his role as Panthers Group CEO. 

I’ve never forgotten the Network Ten coverage of the 1991 Winfield Cup Grand Final. It was Penrith’s first premiership, and an unforgettable swansong for one of the club’s greatest sons.

Royce Simmons remembers the greatest day of his playing career on this week’s podcast.

Donna was at Albury airport waiting to board a Melbourne bound flight when we tracked her down last Friday. She found herself a quiet corner and was happy to join us on the podcast. The experienced horsewoman was literally thrust into the training business when her husband Brett died suddenly in 2008. Before commencing her solo career Donna opted for a year with the huge Darley operation, and has never regretted the decision. Today she trains a 25 horse team from the Albury racecourse precinct, and maintains a very good strike rate. Donna talks about a good recent run of winners with special mention of the promising One Hard Lady.

She takes us back to childhood days on the family farm where she was riding ponies from a tender age.

Donna talks of her father Graham Hulm who schooled her in the art of horse breaking. 

She recalls learning the finer points of thoroughbred management from respected local trainer Ron Stubbs.

It was at the Stubbs Albury stable where Donna met her future husband Brett Scott. She talks of Brett’s achievements as a jockey in the southern districts and his transition into the training ranks.

Donna and Brett became the proud parents of Brett Jnr and Danielle. She pays tribute to the kids and talks of the four grandchildren who’ve come along in recent years.

She looks back on the trauma created by Brett’s passing and the small team of horses she inherited. 

Donna will never forget the magical first win just two months after her husband’s passing.

Before getting too serious about a solo training career she opted for a stint with a major Sydney stable. She landed a job with the huge Darley operation and Danielle went with her. 

Donna talks of Danielle’s brief stint as a jockey.

She speaks highly of Danielle’s partner Blaike McDougall, a jockey of great talent and a NSW premiership winner in 2020/2021.

Donna acknowledges the support of longtime stable foreperson Madi Connell and apprentices Amy O’Driscoll and Robert Wilcox.

The trainer makes special mention of Lord Von Costa, a family favourite who had a few trainers during his racing career. She got him very late but managed to win a stakes race at Flemington. 

Donna had a lot of time for a mare called Bennelong Dancer who made her presence felt in two editions of the Country Championship.

She pays a special tribute to one of her all time favourites Our Last Cash.  

Donna was thrilled to win a race at Caulfield with Takissacod.

She talks about another favourite Villasaurus - the horse to break her TAB Highway “duck”. 

The trainer makes mention of Bautista, another of her Country Championship Final runners.

Donna talks about an early phobia she had regarding Sydney tracks.

She talks of the family farm Hazel Park named after a very special grandmother.

Donna talks of the trusty stable truck that gives her total independence in getting horses to the races.

Anthony Cavallo’s year long absence from the western districts riding ranks continues to arouse the curiosity of his many friends and TAB followers. A veteran of almost forty years in the saddle, Cavallo sustained multiple injuries in what appeared to be a simple fall at Wellington. Two fractured vertebrae in the upper back required a spinal fusion and the insertion of a metal plate. That plate is to be removed at the end of June, after which the veteran will determine the course of his future. Enquiries have been numerous about a likely return to the saddle for one of country racing’s most respected jockeys. “Choco” joins the podcast with his own version of events. He expresses his gratitude for the many messages of encouragement he’s received.

Anthony says he’d love to keep riding but intends to accept the judge’s decision.

He looks back on the Wellington fall and says he had absolutely no warning.

The jockey summarises an endless list of injuries.

He reflects on many race falls but says none of his injuries have been below the waist.

Cavallo looks back on one other nasty spill on the very same racetrack.

He looks back on the way in which his apprenticeship was arranged by his father and an uncle. He pays tribute to his master Ray Guy.

Anthony speaks freely about the nickname he was given by a co-worker soon after he joined the guy stable. He still gets that nickname from the majority of racing people.

Like most jockeys he has vivid recollections of his first winning ride 39 years ago.

He looks back on his one and only ride on multiple Gr 1 winner Potrero, the horse he rates the best he’s ridden in a race.

Tony hasn’t forgotten a stakes win at Randwick on a 140/1 pop called Reign of Honour. He got to ride the same filly in a Gr 1 two weeks later.

He looks back on the day at Warwick Farm when he won a Gr 3 race under the most unusual of circumstances.

Cavallo looks back on a feature country win which came out of the blue when Glen Boss had to forfeit the ride.

The veteran spent almost 8 years out of Australia  during his long riding career. He reflects on stints in Singapore/Malaysia, Macau and Abu Dabi.

He goes back to 2016 when he was still riding a power of trackwork at Randwick, but spending Saturdays at country meetings. Finally it made good sense to base himself in the central west.

The jockey talks about his first country retreat at Cudgegong Waters near Mudgee. He loved the lifestyle.

He continued his usual practice of riding regular trackwork. He formed a successful partnership with dubbo horseman Kody Nestor.

Tony says he also got to Orange trackwork once a week for trainers like Alison Smith, Peter Cornish and Cindy Monaghan. He also rode work for Bob Howe on an abandoned picnic racecourse.

He talks of his recent move into Mudgee township where he lives with partner Amanda.

Anthony rarely rides in the city these days but has been able to win four editions of the TAB Highway. He looks back on those four wins.

With his all important medical assessment due in a month, he’s already contemplating the possibility of having to quit the saddle. He says he’d love to have some contact with horses going forward.

It’s a laid back chat with the little fellow of Italian descent who was besotted with thoroughbreds from the moment he walked into Ray Guy’s Rosehill stables.

The way James McDonald is reeling off Gr 1 wins it seems certain he’ll need only two more full seasons to seriously threaten Damien Oliver’s record of 129 Australian wins at the elite level. Until that happens we can continue to appreciate the distinguished record “Ollie” left behind when he retired from race riding seventeen months ago. Those 129 Gr 1’s were the highlights of a magnificent career tally of 3189. Throw in 14 Scobie Breasley medals, 10 Melbourne jockey’s premierships and an induction into the Racing Australia Hall of Fame at age 36, and you’ve got one hell of a record. Damien’s Melbourne Cup win on Media Puzzle in 2002 came just days after the death of his jockey brother Jason who’d suffered multiple injuries in a Perth barrier trial fall. The story of the tragedy behind Media Puzzle’s win made news around the world and remains a part of Australian racing folklore. A podcast seemed the best way to identify and document the many facets of the fascinating life of one of our best ever jockeys. “Ollie” was happy to oblige and we caught him in reminiscent mood. 

He begins by admitting he still gets an occasional withdrawal symptom when the big races roll around.

Damien talks of his final day in the saddle- a four race international jockey’s series in Saudi Arabia.

He looks back on his final Melbourne Cup carnival. Three wins over the week consolidated his all time record of 88 wins for the four day carnival.

The former ace jockey looks back on his final day of riding in Australia. From seven rides at Perth’s Ascot track he won the last three races to the delight of 10,000 racegoers. It was an emotional day for the WA born horseman.

He talks about the death of his father Ray in a Kalgoorlie race fall in 1975. He was just three years old.

Damien reflects on his original apprenticeship to step father Lindsay Rudland, and the unforgettable thrill of his very first winning ride at Bunbury.

He recalls the manner in which negotiations played out for his transfer to the Freedman stable in Melbourne. He says the experience was intimidating in the beginning.

The multiple premiership winner reflects on the first of his 129 Gr 1 victories. He was just 18 years old at the time. 

He agrees that Mannerism’s Caulfield Cup win in 1992 was the one to propel him onto the big stage.

Damien is happy to admit his first Melbourne Cup appearance finished in a disaster.

He’s still in disbelief that he was able to win 18 Gr 1’s before completing his apprenticeship.

Damien reflects on the first of his three Melbourne Cup wins on Doriemus in 1995. He pays special tribute to the top class stayer.

He was happy to revisit the incredible Media Puzzle story of 2002. The death of brother Jason following a freak accident in a Perth barrier trial and the reason for his decision to ride the Irish stayer in the Melbourne Cup. He remembers the race, the emotion, the aftermath and the release of a movie called The Cup nine years later.

He recalls the circumstances leading up to his engagement for Fiorente in the 2013 Melbourne Cup. He’d never ridden the horse in a race but played a major part in the stallion’s preparation leading up to the big race.

Damien talks of three second placings in the famous event.

He reflects on some favourite moments from his Gr 1 journey beginning with his first Cox Plate success on Dane Ripper in 1997.

Damien remembers his second Cox Plate win on the great West Aussie Northerly. He had to survive a double protest.

The champion jockey has won some major races several times over. He looks back on multiple victories in races like the Victoria Oaks, the Victoria Derby, and the 1000 Guineas. 

Damien talks of several great sprinters he got to ride with special mention of the powerful grey Schillaci.

Oliver won 5 races on the brilliant Testa Rossa including 3 Gr 1’s. He reflects on one famous defeat at the hands of Redoute’s Choice in the 1999 Caulfield Guineas.

Damien says the last elite horse he rode was the multiple Gr 1 winner Anamoe. He picked up the ride on the emerging superstar when Covid restrictions prevented James McDonald from commuting to Melbourne.

He was chuffed to finally snare a Golden Slipper win on Sydney filly Forensics in 2007. He had a beautiful run from the inside gate but had a fight on his hands to stave off Zizou.

Damien was happy to talk about one career low point- an eight month disqualification after being found guilty of a betting offence. He explains how it took two years before he was actually charged. 

He looks back on the worst of the many injuries he sustained in 35 years of race riding- a spinal fusion enabled him to keep going for another 18 years.

Damien talks of the reaction of wife Trish to his retirement announcement in 2023, and the current activities of daughters Niali and Zara and son Luke.

It’s a laid back chat with a jockey regarded by many racing students as one of the greatest in Australian racing history.

Luke Marlow’s love affair with thoroughbreds can be traced to the days when he had photos of the champion mare Makybe Diva  prominently displayed on his bedroom walls. Around this time his parents were managing the Merlo Downs Stud at Minden about 63 kms west of Brisbane. Luke’s life changed forever a couple of years later when Jeff Marlow took out a trainer’s licence and quickly enlisted his son as principal trackwork rider.  By the time the teenager had ridden a few fast gallops and provided a guest call of a race at Yepoon in 2008, the die was cast. Just three years later the young Queenslander won the fourth edition of a Sky Racing Scholarship and was off and running in the career he’d dreamed about.  Now approaching his 32nd birthday, Luke Marlow is recognised as one of the most versatile performers in the Australian racing media. He joins us on the podcast to reflect on a whirlwind fourteen years since arriving in Sydney. He begins by confirming a very important recent development in his personal life. 

Luke talks about the never-ending variety in his working life. He lives by the roster.

He talks of the changing face of country racing in NSW where undreamed of prize money levels regularly attract the patronage of major Sydney stables.

Official barrier trials are almost as frequent as TAB race meetings. Luke is frequently called upon to describe the trials for Sky Thoroughbred Central.

He talks of his hosting role on the popular Saturday morning radio programme Racing HQ. 

Luke’s talks of the change in his situation when Sky’s Number 2 caller Mitch Manners accepted a full time role with the Gold Coast Turf Club in 2023. He immediately became understudy to the station’s chief caller Darren Flindell. In this capacity he’s had the opportunity to call five editions of the Provincial Championship Final.

The easy going Queenslander talks of early life in his home state with special mention of happy days at the Merlo Downs Thoroughbred Stud. He recalls his introduction to the task of riding trackwork for his father Jeff.

Luke recounts the entertaining story of the day he was invited to call a race on the public address system at a Yepoon meeting in 2008. The winner was trained by his dad and owned by his grandmother. He still regards the occasion as one of the greatest thrills of his life.

He pays tribute to Tony McMahon, the man who gave him the opportunity to call the race that helped shape his destiny.

Luke takes us back to 2011 when he “made the cut” for the fourth Sky Young Race Caller’s Scholarship. He looks back on a week of auditions culminating in a nerve wracking race call at Wyong. 

He was in disbelief when the judges voted in his favour.

Seven years after settling into his new job, Marlow was stunned to receive a phone call from the Singapore Turf Club who’d been left short of a race caller when Tom Wood relocated to Hong Kong. Luke agonised over the decision he had to make.

He looks back on an exciting two years in the famous city-state with special emphasis on his meeting with the lovely Kiwi jockey now destined to become his wife.

Luke talks about the ravages of Covid 19 and the soul destroying lockdown endured by all Singaporians. He and Alysha made the decision to return to Sydney. 

He pays tribute to Alysha’s work ethic and acknowledges her emergence as one of Sydney’s most in demand jockeys.

Luke explains how he manages to control his emotions when calling races in which his fiancee is competing.

He talks about the legendary NZ racing family from which Alysha descends.

It’s a laid back chat with a young Queenslander whose career  path was never in doubt. All he needed was an ounce of luck to make the dream come true.

Golf has long been the most popular pastime of professional jockeys. Some have attained a very high level in the sport, others are happy to “puddle” around once or twice a week with a few mates. Highly respected southern districts jockey Richard Bensley has come up with a recreation far removed from conventional sports. Thanks to the influence of his late father Bryson, Richard is a master exponent of the ancient art of carriage driving. He frequently jumps into a sparkling old world buggy drawn by a high stepping Hackney and competes at the highest level. He’s also ridden more than 900 winners in a successful 25 year career mostly on southern district tracks. Richard Bensley is a podcast guest with a difference. He talks firstly about a promising mare he’s been riding just lately for Goulburn trainer Patrick Murphy.

He acknowledges the talents of former jockey Pat Murphy.

Richard talks about the equine skills of his late father Bryson, his father-in-law Rick Jones and late mother Joanne who was also a noted horsewoman. 

The successful jockey talks about his Goulburn property and the large number of horse drawn vehicles tucked away in a shed. One of those vehicles is a century old hearse. 

He talks about the never ending work involved in maintaining leather harness and brass fittings.

Richard talks about the English bred Hackney, the horse most commonly used in carriage driving around the world. The breed is diminishing but the jockey does his bit to help save the species.

He pays tribute to wife Melissa, son Mitchell and daughter Chelsea.

Richard remembers the occasion when breeder Peter Stewart told Bryson that his son’s feet were too big for him to even consider becoming a jockey. 

He recalls a chance conversation his father had with trainer Ken Callaughan who’d only just moved to the new Goulburn training complex. That conversation changed Richard’s life.

The jockey hasn’t forgotten Callaughan’s all round horsemanship skills.

He remembers his hometrack debut on a Callaughan runner in 2000, and the thrill of his first win at Cootamundra.

Richard says it took him a long time to ride a city winner.

He acknowledges his successful association with trainer Nick Olive for whom he rode more than one hundred winners.

Richard looks back on some of the nice horses he got to ride for the Olive stable.

The jockey looks back with delight on a Black Opal Stakes win for old friend trainer Gratz Vella. He takes us through his win on You’re Canny.

Richard expresses his appreciation of the staunch support he had from the Vella stable.

He looks back on a winning association with Loved Up, a talented mare from the Brett Cavanough yard. 

Richard remembers a black type win on Loved Up in the Scone Guineas and the unlikely circumstances that brought him a second stakes win on the same day.

The forty two year old speaks highly of The Monstar, another talented horse from the Brett Cavanough stable. He got to ride the sprinter in a couple of high quality races in Melbourne.

Richard names a handful of outstanding country jockeys for whom he’s had high regard throughout his career.

He looks back on a second placing in a Rosehill TAB Highway destined to be promoted by default.

Richard confirms that retirement is not yet on the radar. That applies to race riding and carriage driving.

Brilliant apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald was shattered recently when a sudden bout of appendicitis interrupted her march towards a possible NSW jockey’s premiership win in just her second season of race riding. The twenty two year old daughter of former successful jockey Malcolm Fitzgerald, had ridden 123 winners in just twenty one months leading up to her recent setback. Only a handful of wins separated Mollie, Aaron Bullock and Jean Van Overmeire at the time of her diagnosis. 

Her amazing win rate on northern rivers tracks attracted the attention of the Neasham/Alexander stable who invited her to join the team last October. After five weeks on the sidelines Mollie returned to trackwork duties on Thursday May 1st, and is champing at the bit to resume her premiership chase. She talks about her general malaise leading up to the discovery of appendicitis. 

Mollie says she hasn’t given up on catching  Bullock and Van Overmeire but realises she now has a tough task.

She talks of the fairy tale start to her riding career. 

Mollie has only heard about her father’s riding days but is well aware of his talents and constant battle with weight. She’s grateful to have his guidance and wise counsel in the early stages of her career.

The apprentice brings us up to date with the progress of her two siblings, sister Lacey and brother Cameron.

Mollie talks of her early involvement with the Bellingen Pony Club.

She looks back on a move to Camden Haven when her father was a jockey mentor for Racing NSW.

Mollie remembers Malcolm’s switch of direction when Racing NSW developed a rehoming property on Oxley Island near Taree. While awaiting new ownership the former racehorses had to be exercised on a nearby beach. This was where young Fitzgerald was first bitten by the thoroughbred bug.

She talks about her first job in a racing stable which she juggled with her schooling. Mollie looks back on a pleasing result in the Higher School Certificate.

The young jockey says she put horses aside for a full year while gaining work experience in a local real estate business.

Finally an apprenticeship opportunity came up with Taree trainer Tony Ball. Mollie jumped at the chance and the rest is history.

She talks about the magical day at Bowraville when her first winner came along. Before the day was over, she’d won another race.

Mollie says her dad became her regular chauffeur to many northern meetings. He was the perfect sounding board on the return journey to Taree.

She’s adamant a couple of troublesome wisdom teeth prevented her winning fifty races in her first season.

Mollie acknowledges the great support of Grafton trainer John Shelton who made her the regular rider of Cassia Lane. She won three straight on the genuine mare including the 2024 Inverell Cup. She won the feature sprint on the same day.

She looks back on a special day at Inverell last year when she was one of five female jockeys to make a clean sweep of the programme.

It was another all girls affair at Moree on Sept 1st last year. She was thrilled to win two races including the Moree Cup.

Mollie talks about her day of days so far- four wins and a second from seven rides at an Armidale meeting.

She relives the thrill of winning the Rising Stars Apprentices Series this season.

Mollie talks about the offer from Anabel Neasham and the nice horses she’s already ridden for the stable. Highlight was a treble at Kembla in January. One of the winners has become her stable favourite.

Great to catch up with an intelligent young lady who’s been the talk of racing in the last year or so. It was only a matter of time before she was approached by a Sydney stable. You won’t see her in town for a while yet, but she’s certain to be a favourite with provincial punters while her claim lasts.

For many decades the NSW Riverina has produced an endless list of outstanding trainers and jockeys. One of the latest recruits to hit the headlines on the big stage is young jockey Tyler Schiller who reeled off a couple of Gr 1 wins during the recent Championships. One man to leave his mark as a jockey and trainer is Dave Heywood who retired in 2020 after six decades in the racing industry. As a jockey he rode exclusively in the Riverina and Victoria. Surprisingly he never once got to ride on a Sydney track but he trained numerous winners in the harbour city. Dave Heywood earned the respect of all sections of the industry during 12 years in the saddle and another 48 years as a trainer. The rising 80 year old is in reminiscent mood as he joins us on the podcast.

Dave says he’s blessed with good health.

Right off the top he answers the commonly asked question about his relationship if any to ace jockey Nick Heywood.

Dave says his primary sporting interests these days revolve around the dart board and the pool room.

Few realise Dave was Victorian born. He explains how the family got to settle in the Riverina.

The veteran horseman remembers riding trackwork at age 11 for legendary trainer Bert Honeychurch who became his master.

Dave hasn’t forgotten his very first day as a professional jockey. He greeted the judge twice. He talks about the horses involved.

He still remembers the thrill of riding a winner first up on the historic Flemington course.

Dave looks back on the transfer of his indentures to top Melbourne trainer Brian Courtney.

He realises how lucky he was to pick up a ride in the Melbourne Cup at just 15 years of age. He talks of the horse he rode for an iconic trainer and takes us through the running of the Centenary Melbourne Cup of 1960. One of the runners was Dave’s favourite horse.

He looks back on his association with the man who took Phar Lap to America in 1932.

Dave got to ride the talented Webster in an unsuitable race at Werribee. Although unplaced he still regards the horse as the best he ever rode in a race.

He acknowledges several other talented horses he got to ride during his time in Melbourne. One of them was owned by a Hollywood movie legend.

Dave was back in the Riverina in 1969. His weight was on the rise but he managed to ride for another few years with great success. He’s especially proud of a winning sequence over two days at Benalla.

He explains that he was actually talked into applying for a trainer’s licence.

Dave looks back on his “Indies trilogy”- Prince Of Indies, Pride Of Indies and King Of Indies, three talented horses who won more than 60 races between them.

He pays tribute to his late brother-in-law Russ Milne who owned the Indies trio. He also loved a punt whenever his horses were racing.

Dave is adamant the unsound Shadameneo was the best horse he trained.

The former outstanding horseman pays tribute to the indestructible Green Ridge, veteran of 200 race starts.

He looks back on prolific winners like Vain Alert, Hillston Exchange, Man Of Peace and Living On A Prayer.

This is a long overdue chat with a great competitor and a gentleman of Riverina racing. 

When Michael Beattie became Deputy Chairman of Stewards for the Hunter And North Western Racing Association in 1985 he wasn’t made welcome by all of his new colleagues. In fact one senior member of staff was clearly unhappy about the appointment of the bloke he called  “the brash young steward from Grafton”. Beattie’s lifelong tendency to call a spade a spade has earned him a reputation as a tough, hard operator- some have branded him a “bully”. Others have testified to his fairness and his insistence on listening to every shred of available evidence  Few have ever left a Beattie inquiry without knowing exactly where they stood. The sixty six year old has swapped stewarding for racing administration on a couple of occasions over more than fifty years in the industry. This is a podcast with a straight shooter who tells his life story with candour, humour and a touch of showmanship. Michael talks about his good fortune in landing back in his beloved hometown of Grafton as CEO of the Clarence River Jockey Club. 

He talks of the dozen Grafton Cups he’s overseen since returning to the northern rivers. He’s a great admirer of the 2022 Cup winner Arapaho.

Michael talks of early days in Grafton when his favourite entertainment was the Friday night ABC television coverage of the Harold Park trots. He couldn’t wait for Fridays to come.

He revisits the 1971 Miracle Mile win by freakish Western Australian pacer Mount Eden. The performance made a lasting impression on the budding racing aficionado.

He takes us back to the heady days when he’d climb a Jacaranda tree outside the Grafton racecourse to watch the horses come down the straight. Finally his father Les agreed to take him to the races as a paying customer.

Michael’s a good storyteller and regales us with some entertaining yarns- like the one about his offer to a prominent trainer who always seemed to be short on helpers.

He’s always been able to open doors. At just fourteen years of age in 1973, he put a proposal to the four race clubs who used the Grafton racecourse. We’re talking about 37 race meetings a year. Next thing young Beattie was writing all of the racebook form for those four clubs. 

Michael tells the story of a winner on Ramornie day 1973 owned by a respected Doctor who wanted him to strap the horse no matter what. You’ll enjoy the rest of the story.

He takes us through the rigorous procedure he had to follow in quest of a job with NSW Government Railways. It was worth the trouble.

The former international steward looks back on his appointment as a cadet with the Northern Rivers Racing Association (NRRA), and an introduction to the tough task of handicapping.

Michael’s desire to spread his wings saw him apply for an important new job in 1985. He was 26 when appointed Deputy Chairman of Stewards with the Hunter and North Western Racing Association. He remains grateful for the enormous experience he gained over fourteen years.

His first stint as a racing administrator came in 1999 when he successfully applied for the CEO’s role with the Gosford Race Club. He gained invaluable experience over almost seven years. Michael reflects on a conversation with trainer Joe Janiak who’d indicated he might set rising sprint star Takeover Target for the 2004 Pacesetter Stakes. That conversation took a few twists and turns.

Michael looks back on Gosford Committee meetings when he persuaded board members to consider purchasing more real estate around the racecourse. He remains gratified that there’s now sufficient space for Racing NSW to develop a huge training complex in the future.

He reflects on the surprise phone call from former high profile steward John Schreck advising him of an upcoming position with the Macau jockey Club. Michael took the job but opted out of his contract less than a year later. The reason for his change of mind is perfectly understandable.

It was back to Sydney and a new role as Chairman Of Stewards for Harness Racing NSW at precisely the time the dreaded EI virus made its presence felt in Sydney. Michael takes us through some highlights and lowlights of his time at the helm of harness racing.

He recalls another surprise approach from the Macau Jockey Club who were keen to get him back for another stint. The offer came shortly before the infamous “green light scandal” dealt the trotting industry a crushing blow.

Michael responds to the reputation he’s carried for years as a very tough man to deal with in the stewards room. He doesn’t deny the claims but believes his fairness more than counterbalances his stern disciplinary measures.

He talks about his current online involvement in the buying and selling of local thoroughbred bloodstock. To date he’s moved some 400 horses for northern rivers owners. He has the backing of the CRJC Committee who are delighted to see most of the money being recycled in the region.

This is the story of a country kid who made things happen from a very early age. It’s unlikely anybody could tell it better than the man himself. A very entertaining podcast from a true blue Aussie racing tragic who happened to be blessed with multiple talents. 

He didn’t waste one of them.

Racing has seen few more distinguished careers than the one enjoyed by Ron Quinton over six rewarding decades. His stellar riding career spanned almost thirty years. His successful training career is now in its thirty second year and counting. Ron’s an inductee of the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame and the recipient of a Medal Of The Order Of Australia, fitting acknowledgements of his contribution to Australian racing. 

I’ve conducted interviews with Ron Quinton many times over sixty years and there was a comprehensive podcast in 2018, but several recent email requests for an updated version have got us on the job. It’s a pleasure to revisit the career of an iconic Australian horseman. His passion for the game is unwavering. His recall of horses, horsemen and events will take you on a nostalgic journey. Ron admits he’s a disciplined trainer who never takes his eye off the ball.

The seventy seven year old acknowledges the support of long time client Ray Gall who’s rarely without a horse or two in the stable. Ron remembers the first yearling Ray gave him to train. That filly was Mamzelle Pedrille who remains the trainer’s all time favourite.

Ron pays tribute to his first Gr 1 winner.  His magic moment came on the opening day of the famous Melbourne Cup carnival in the year 2000.

He looks back on another unforgettable day at Flemington when he won the historic Victoria Oaks with Bulla Borghese- his second Gr 1 as a trainer.

Ron has had a commanding presence in the history of the Coolmore Classic run at Rosehill during the Golden Slipper carnival. He won it twice as a jockey and four times as trainer. He looks back on his quartet of training wins beginning with classy mare Ofcourseican.

He remembers Peeping, Daysee Doom and Dixie Blossoms who all won the high profile race.

The veteran horseman looks back on his association with the respected owner Millie Fox. He was recommended for the job by Brian Mayfield-Smith who’d decided to explore the possibility of becoming a conservationist in South Africa.

Ron looks back on the best of the 95 winners he trained in four years for the universally popular Mrs.Millie Fox.

He pays tribute to the lengthy list of talented junior riders who spent all or part of their apprenticeships under his wing.

Ron looks back on his twenty years as stable jockey for legendary trainer Neville Begg. He speaks of Begg’s affinity with fillies and mares.

He goes back to childhood days at Mendooran in the Central West and early days in the saddle.

Ron pays tribute to his master and mentor Theo Green.

He looks back on a rewarding apprenticeship and the wonderful opportunities afforded him by leading stables. 

Ron takes us on a nostalgic journey as he revisits his association with horses like Analie, Bletchingly, Emancipation, Dalmacia, Marscay, Sir Dapper, Rory’s Jester, Marauding, Kingston Town, and Baguette- a true galaxy of stars.

The former great jockey was involved in twelve race falls during three decades in the saddle. When it comes to injury he regards himself as one of the lucky ones.

From the outset of his riding career Ron harboured an ambition to ride overseas. He looks back on three memorable stints with champion Irish trainer John Oxx. 

Ron talks of the devastating loss in 2017 of Margaret, his wife of 45 years. His horses helped him through a difficult time.

He talks of children Shawn, Trent and Annabel and of his four grandchildren.

Ron looks at his future direction. 

This is a wonderful trip down memory lane with a giant of Australian racing.