In this edition of Tales Of The Turf, Louis Herman-Watt tracks down 39 time Group One winning now retired jockey, Michael 'The King' Coleman.

Coleman recently retired after a nasty fall at the Rotorua trials last year but enjoyed an incredible career in the saddle which took him around the world and to some astounding racing heights.

In this episode of Tales Of The Turf, Coleman reminisces over his old friend Xcellent who he piloted to Group One New Zealand Derby triumph and third in the 2005 Melbourne Cup in which racing icon Makybe Diva completed her famous trilogy.

Coleman doesn't shy away from the controversial topic which dominated the famous day in '05 either, significant watering of the track prior to the race-day has long been thought to have been at aid of the Australian equine icon.

"Yeah I think they left the sprinklers running on the Monday before more than they usually do ... so there was plenty of cut in the track, I'm pretty sure Makybe Diva was well looked after," he quipped.

Coleman also talks freely about the severe injury he suffered which ended his career and is happily retired, not even slightly tempted to attempt a comeback at the veteran age of 51.

The voice of sport in New Zealand joins the SENZ team.