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.

There’s no busier jockey in northern NSW than Wauchope based Luke Rolls. The expat Kiwi drives huge mileage to honour commitments at northern rivers and tablelands tracks. Born and reared in Fielding on New Zealand’s North Island, Luke was initially apprenticed to Bruce Marsh at Foxton. He transferred to a Victorian stable in the early 2000’s and his subsequent journey has produced an impressive tally of more than 760 winners. Luke begins our chat by talking about his move to the NSW mid north coast with Cassie Schmidt, the lady destined to become his wife. He says hard work was the only way to go in the first few years.

The jockey takes us through a normal day in his life. Few jockeys ride more trackwork than Luke Rolls.

Luke says he has to keep an eye on the clock when he has commitments at a faraway meeting. The constant travelling is the toughest part of his job.

He acknowledges the ongoing support of a special group of northern trainers.

Luke takes us back to early days on the farm at Fielding NZ. Horse racing wasn’t on his radar.

He admits he was more intent on becoming an All Black than a professional jockey.

Luke looks back on his initial apprenticeship to top trainer Bruce Marsh. He’d never been on a horse.

He looks back on his first race ride. He finished second but says the horse should have won.

Luke hasn’t forgotten his first winning ride. It turned out to be his one and only NZ winner.

He talks of a transfer to a Victorian stable when Bruce Marsh landed a contract to train in Singapore.

The jockey remembers a happy 18 months with Terry O’Sullivan at Stawell and the handful of winners he rode on country tracks.

Luke admits he suddenly lost interest in racing after the Victorian stint. He went to Sydney with mates and landed a job as a welder.

He looks back on a return to NZ and a job with Affco Abbatoirs. That job generated an opportunity to work in rural Queensland which didn’t work out. Next step was another meatworks job on the Gold Coast.

Finally the lure of the thoroughbred prompted him to give riding another crack. A newspaper advertisement led him to a job with a Gold Coast trainer.

Luke was thrilled to win a race at Ballina soon after returning to race riding.

He talks of a tremendous winning run on the Gold Coast which yielded a local apprentices premiership.

Luke remembers a growing interest in his services from Brisbane stables. He’s never forgotten his first trip to the metropolitan winner’s circle. In fact it happened twice on the day.

He talks of the jockey who became a formidable rival on the Gold Coast and of the day he rode the first four winners on the programme.

Luke looks back on his only ride in a Gr 1 race. He was flown to Sydney by Queensland owners to handle a lightweight in The Galaxy of 2009. For one thrilling moment at the 200m he thought the race was in his keeping.

He talks of an Eagle Farm win on a horse destined to win a Gr 1 down the track.

Luke acknowledges the successful riding career of wife Cassie despite a torturous battle with weight. When she opted to relocate from the Gold Coast to her native Wauchope he elected to go with her.

Cassie’s “dream job” came along soon after.

He says nobody was surprised when Cassie decided on a training career. Her first win came not long after gaining her licence and Luke Rolls was the jockey.

Luke talks of his marriage to Cassie and the successful trainer/jockey combination they’ve developed.

It’s a nice chat with a Kiwi born jockey who preferred motor bikes to horses in his early days at Fielding.

We’re approaching the fifth anniversary of one of the most unique race days ever seen in Sydney. Drastic covid protocols saw only jockeys, trainers and a handful of stable staff in attendance to watch the running of the Derby, Doncaster, T.J Smith and Sires Produce Stakes on day 1 of The Championships.. The day belonged to that pizza eating, beer swilling, arrogant mare Nettoyer who came from near last to win the Doncaster for trainer Wendy Roche and jockey James Innes Jnr. Jimmy joins us on the podcast to reminisce about an experience he still describes as surreal.

James talks about his recent move to Canberra and a whole new phase in his career. It’s not the first time he’s had a Canberra connection.

He says the eerie emptiness of Randwick on Doncaster day 2020 didn’t detract from the thrill of winning his first Gr 1.

James credits a well known Sydney trainer for getting him the ride on Nettoyer.

He confirms the many stories that were doing the rounds about the mare’s vile temperament.

The jockey says it took him forever to get her to the mile starting point. A friend who worked on the barriers saved the day.

James takes us through the running of the 2020 Doncaster. He says the mare went from a bolter’s chance at the 800m to a realistic chance on top of the rise.

He says he tried hard to control his emotions on returning to scale, but lost it completely.

The jockey relates a humorous story about father James and mother Julie who watched the race at home.

James Jnr pays a heartfelt tribute to his dad who rode many winners before his retirement in 2007.

He talks about several trainers who contributed to his education along the way.

James reflects on a serious fall at Bathurst which put him out for an extended period. He says it took a long time to get over the accident.

He regards a stint with Keith Dryden during his apprenticeship as a life changer.  

James looks back on a bout of depression during his time with the Godolphin operation. He was on the brink of quitting the saddle when he received a timely phone call from Gerald Ryan.

He acknowledges the best horses he got to ride for the Ryan stable. One of them remains his all time favourite.

The jockey has vivid memories of a stakes win for Waterhouse/Bott at Rosehill. He was pleasantly surprised.

James talks affectionately of his young sons Carter and Asher who live in Victoria with their mother Aimee.

He says Canberra is the perfect base for his regular day trips to country venues. 

Innes says he’s not as light as he used to be, but lighter than many of his fellow jockeys.

James acknowledges the talents of partner Teaghan Martin who’s had her share of injury in recent times.

It’s an enjoyable chat with a personable young man who’s very good at what he does. 

The famous Hoysted racing dynasty had its origins in Victoria early in the twentieth century and has produced generations of successful horse trainers. The most celebrated was Fred Hoysted who won 17 Melbourne premierships from his Mentone base. Like most of his predecessors 33 year old Matthew Hoysted began his journey in Wangaratta, before working under the wing of some top Melbourne horsemen. In 2014 he decided on a move to Queensland when a job came up with Tony Gollan after which he spent eight years in partnership with recently retired Steve O’Dea. Matt went solo just over a year ago, and is already making his presence felt in the Brisbane training ranks. He begins the podcast by talking about his on course stabling at Eagle Farm and the close proximity of his home.

Matt talks about the success he enjoyed on Saturday March 15th- a quinella in the last race at Eagle Farm and a Gold Coast double which included a win with Hearts Are Better in the 3YO Jewel.

He looks back on eighteen rewarding months with Tony Gollan whose star was rising rapidly.

Matt says the offer he received from Steve O’Dea was too good to refuse. He spent four years as O’Dea’s assistant trainer before being promoted to training partner.

He formed an association with Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds during his time with Steve O’Dea and was delighted when Walter agreed to continue that support following O’Dea’s retirement.

One of the best horses Hoysted got to co-train with O’Dea was Scallopini  who won 13 races and was placed 14 times. He acknowledges the talents of the genuine galloper.

Matt says he and Steve O’Dea were usually on the same wavelength when it  came to planning the campaigns of horses in their care.

He pays a fitting tribute to Uncommon James, the best horse he got to co-train with O’Dea. He looks back on the gelding’s Oakleigh Plate win in 2023 as an almost surreal experience. 

Matt says he wasn’t surprised when Steve announced his retirement from the Brisbane training ranks.

The young trainer looks back on early days with the O’Dea stable where he met the girl destined to become his wife and the mother of his two young daughters.

He talks about Caitlin’s pride and joy Pickabee, a daughter of Jet Spur with whom she won five races. Coincidentally, Pickabee would become the dam of Uncommon James.

Matt looks back on his formative years in Wangaratta and early tuition from his father Greg. He also spent some time with another training relative Roger Hoysted.

He puts the spotlight on grandfather Ron (call me Mick) who trained a Gr 1 sprinter in the 1980’s. Another member of the clan to get a mention is Hal Hoysted winner of 25 premierships in north eastern Victoria.

Matt relates the stories he’s heard from family members about Fred “Father” Hoysted, winner of 17 Melbourne premierships between 1933 and 1958. 

He talks of the racing blood on the distaff side of his family. His mother Ronda is the daughter of John Hickmott and sister to Robert and Michael- all successful trainers. 

Matt takes us back to the early years of his racing education and valuable time spent at Flemington and Macedon Lodge. 

He talks of his association with some high profile horses during his time under the Lloyd Williams banner.

He treasures the memory of five years with the late Michael Moroney at Flemington. Matt adds his personal tribute to the many already circulated for the great New Zealand born horseman.

For punters listening to the podcast, Matt pointers a couple of promising horses currently in the stable.

It’s a laid back chat with a young man who has the right pedigree and the right temperament to make it to the top in a very demanding profession.