We had our podcast interview with Keith Ballard safely “in the can” before he reported for duty at Saturday’s Julia Creek Cup fixture at Mount Isa. It’s now history that the legendary jockey went out a winner on the final ride of his 55 year career. Keith was winless in the first four races, but turned it around in the last when he went straight to the lead on Metal Bar and romped home by more than five lengths in the Julia Creek Cup. The fairy tale was enhanced by the fact that Keith’s wife Denise trains the winner. Two days earlier we caught up with the 71 year old to reminisce a little about his remarkable career. He began by revealing that Denise had been trying to get him to retire for quite some time.

He talks about a recent Cloncurry win on Capiteel for his trainer wife and acknowledges the support of trainer Tanya Parry.

Keith talks about Denise’s former riding career in an era when female jockeys were battling for recognition.

He says Denise isn’t too tough on him when his judgement is astray.

The veteran says he was humbled in the extreme when the Ballards of Mount Isa were inducted into the Racing Queensland Hall Of Fame in 2021.

Keith talks about the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms in the months ahead.

The evergreen horseman says his nerve has remained intact.

He gives a few reasons for his longevity as a professional jockey.

The Longreach born horseman says he was initially inspired by the riding success of his uncle Jim Ballard.

Keith pays tribute to his stoic and hard working mother, and speaks of his six brothers.

He recalls his very first race ride, and an unforgettable first win on the very same horse.

Keith says he’s been relatively lucky when it comes to race falls, but he looks back on one bad buster at age 62- the worst fall in his long career.

That fall occurred at remote McKinlay best known as the venue for many scenes in the famous Crocodile Dundee movies.

Keith remembers some of the best horses he’s ridden over more than half a century. His number one vote goes to Mr Ziesel, big by stature and big on ability.

He pays tribute to the consistent Kerr Street. He won nine races on the horse in one season including the 1983 Darwin Cup.

Keith remembers King Wells. He won 17 races on the former Victorian.

The veteran says his career wouldn’t have been complete without a Birdsville Cup win. He ticked that one off the bucket list in 2009.

Keith talks about Sahara Canadian. He won 11 races on the grey, including one at faraway Ballina.

He talks about another prolific winner in Be Somebody. He once drove 1000km to ride the horse at Darwin even though he knew the gelding couldn’t win.

Keith pays tribute to a handful of jockeys for whom he had special admiration.

He makes special mention of a talented bush trainer.

Keith pays a heartfelt tribute to son Dan, a very talented jockey whose career has been terminated by weight problems.

Ballard says his failure to ride a metropolitan winner doesn’t faze him too much.

He talks about a handful of other jockeys who rode into advanced years.

It was a great pleasure to talk to a genuine Queensland racing icon.

It was mid October when I invited Ray Hadley to be special guest on the occasion of our 500th podcast episode. Never once during the conversation did the legendary broadcaster so much as hint that he was contemplating calling time on his 2GB morning programme. We made arrangements to record the interview on the afternoon of Thursday November 5th. Like many of his listeners and colleagues I was stunned, when less than an hour into his programme on Thursday Ray made the shock announcement that December 13th is to be his final day in the 2GB studios. Television news crews were setting up in the building long before he finished his on air shift at midday. The broadcaster was inevitably “swamped” by media outlets for several hours. I wouldn’t have been one bit surprised had he requested a postponement of our podcast interview, but I should have known better. True to his word Ray was ready to go when I called him as arranged at 4.30pm. I reminded him that nobody had seen this coming.

He admitted it was a surreal experience to be announcing his own retirement from mainstream radio.

I asked Ray to identify the likely reasons he was able to win 160 consecutive surveys.

He nominated one particular story where his on air comments contributed to a better outcome.

Ray made no secret of the fact that he won’t be lost to media, but says the days of 3.30am wake up calls are over.

He takes us back to childhood days as the son of hard working parents Morris and Elsie Hadley.

Ray looks back on the massive impact of his father’s death at just 46 years of age.

He shares some funny stories from his eight years with Steers Auctions at Parramatta. He believes his experience as an auctioneer helped to develop his commentary skills.

Ray says he was chuffed beyond belief in the early 80’s when offered the role of Harold Park course broadcaster following the retirement of Ray Conroy.

He takes us back to the days immediately after the Super League war when 2UE lost its Rugby League broadcast rights. 2UE’s Continuous Call team made history when it continued to win the ratings without broadcasting the game.

Ray pays a special tribute to the man they called “The Starmaker.” 2UE Programme Director the late John Brennan was lauded in the industry for his unique ability to spot potential talent from a mile off.

Ray Hadley’s career took a life changing turn in 2002 when John Singleton purchased 2GB. He initially poached Ray from 2UE to call Rugby League, but changed his mind soon after. The broadcaster was stunned when “Singo” asked him to take over the morning programme in opposition to 2UE’s John Laws. Ray shares the full story.

The multiple award winning broadcaster says he has no regrets about missing the opportunity to call 100 State Of Origins.

Ray was privileged to be a member of the commentary team for seven Olympic Games. He says Cathy Freeman’s unforgettable win in the 400m at the Sydney Olympics remains his fondest memory.

He was agreeable to looking back on what he describes as the lowest point in his long career- the 2019 bullying allegations from a small group of staff members. He looks back with candour on a very unhappy time in his life.

Ray talks with great affection of his children and grandchildren. Today he’s the quintessential doting grandfather.

It’s a massive coincidence that Ray’s retirement announcement came just a few hours before this podcast was recorded. No wonder he was in the mood to reminisce. Great to have him on our 500th podcast episode.

The story of the Freedman era is one of racing’s all time best - four enthusiastic young brothers who made an amazing journey from the family stud farm at Yass to the establishment of a Victorian based training powerhouse. Lee held sway as trainer with Anthony, Richard and Michael handling crucial roles in the background. Together they had an enormous impact on Australian racing for three decades. Lee won seven Melbourne trainer’s premierships and was runner up six times. Today the boys are all training under their own banners with Lee opting for a much quieter life on the Gold Coast. The former leader of the FBI was very gracious with his time on this week’s podcast. He begins by berating his talents as a golfer.

Lee talks about his current 31 horse team, a fraction of the number he trained in the busiest days of the FBI.

He talks of the wide choice of race meetings he has from his Gold Coast base.

Lee takes us back to early days at Hardwicke Stud near Yass, where he and his siblings gained sound education under the supervision of father Tony.

He delights in telling the story of his first win as a trainer with a quirky but very talented grey called Sitting Bull. It was hard to keep news of the horse’s talent under wraps.

Lee says his training career actually began at Warwick Farm.

He looks back on a relocation to Flemington and a mare called Sauna - the daughter of Loosen Up who put the Freedmans on the map.

Lee hasn’t forgotten the thrill of a maiden Gr 1 win.

He reflects on the rapid rise of the FBI and the simple theory he had about stress management.

We needed to get started on Lee’s reminiscences of the many wonderful horses to come through the Freedman operation. Who better to begin with than the incomparable Makybe Diva. She arrived in the Freedman camp having won 8 races for David Hall including her first Melbourne Cup. Lee recalls his expectations.

He reflects on his first win with the mighty mare, the 2004 Melbourne Cup.

The trainer recalls the mare’s dominance in the autumn and spring of 2005, and the memorable comments he made in a TV interview after her third Cup win- comments which have passed into folklore.

Lee gives his view on why she was such an athlete.

The great trainer looks back on wonderful journeys with crowd favourites Subzero and Doriemus, two more Melbourne Cup winners.

It’s not hard to tell Super Impose was one of Lee’s great favourites. He shares some special memories.

Lee puts into words his enormous admiration for Naturalism.

The list of good horses to pass through the Freedman’s hands is seemingly endless. He sings the praises of Mahogany and Schillaci.

The Golden Slipper was a mighty race for the Freedmans in the 1990’s. Lee talks about their four consecutive wins in the famous two year old race.

Durbridge is another marvellous horse to get the thumbs up from his former trainer.

The legendary trainer will surprise some when he says his greatest racetrack thrill came outside Australia. He looks back on his Royal Ascot journey with Miss Andretti.

Lee used some of Australia’s greatest jockeys during the golden years of the Freedman reign. He’s prepared to single one of them out for special praise.

He speaks with pride of daughters Emma and Georgia.

Lee pays tribute to his greatest ever supporter, late mother Del who passed just two years ago.

He pays tribute to Anthony, Richard and Michael who have each forged great individual careers.

A podcast with Lee Freedman is long overdue. We’re delighted to finally get it done.

A hat trick of recent country wins by improving gelding My Last Hooray rekindled memories of Frank Cleary’s glory days in Australian racing. The popular trainer wound down his training operation following two health scares in 2020, and has been training only a handful of horses in recent times. He even hinted that he may walk away from a business that took him to racing’s biggest stage. On learning that My Last Hooray isn’t the only horse on his books, we decided to investigate the immediate future of the Queanbeyan based trainer. He certainly doesn’t confirm likely retirement.

Frank talks about two unraced young horses currently in his care.

He reflects on the chest pains that sent him to hospital in 2020, and a second ailment that followed closely on his heart scare.

Frank talks of the racing involvement in his family background.

It’s well known that a young Frank Cleary showed great promise as a rugby league player in pivotal positions. He says he actually started in the Aussie Rules code.

Switching to league in the late 60’s he quickly gained a spot in the Queanbeyan Blues Under 18’s side.

He looks back on two encounters with a touring British test side.

Frank says several niggling injuries eventually finished his football career and sent him in the direction of a new livelihood. You won’t believe some of the things he did for a living in his pre horse training days.

He says his life changed dramatically the day he attended an Inglis Tried Stock sale and came away with a $1400 unraced gelding. That horse shaped Frank’s destiny.

The trainer says he had to wait a long time for his first Gr 1 win but it happened to be in one of the oldest classics on the AJC calendar.

Select Prince was by Imperial prince as was another Cleary favourite Friend’s Venture. Frank says he was an amazing horse.

The trainer thought someone was “pulling his leg” when he got a phone call from a man purporting to be an American owner asking him to train a horse.

Frank remembers the late Ken T. Jones who continued to support his stable for several years. He remembers the unsound horse who motivated Jones’ original phone call.

Cleary has never forgotten a day at the Gold Coast Sale when Ken Jones had to be talked into buying a Zoffany colt who was destined to become one of Australia’s best two year olds of 1992.

Frank remembers Clan O’Sullivan’s impressive early form and his defeat in the 1992 Golden Slipper when he got no favours.

Fast forward some six years and Frank recalls the purchase of a Danehill colt who would atone for Clan O’Sullivan’s Slipper defeat.

Frank takes us back to the events of Slipper day 1999 when the hot pre post favourite was a late scratching from the famous two year old race. He pays tribute to jockey Mark de Montfort.

He looks at a few other good money spinners to carry the Ken Jones colours.

Frank looks back on a bold move he instigated in the late 1990’s. He decided to give training a try in the big smoke when stables became available in a new block at Rosehill. His neighbour was a young Kiwi trainer who was testing the water in Sydney.

The veteran trainer says there were no stars in the stable during his Sydney stint, but a few handy horses kept him ticking over.

He talks of a flying visit to Melbourne with a horse called Shot Of Comfort. It was a good result for the stable and for owner Dominic Beirne.

Frank was chuffed to win his only hometown Cup with Bomber Command in 2009.

He reflects with delight with his all time top training effort- six wins

on the Forbes Cup programme in 1994.

The trainer pays a heartfelt tribute to his wife Sue.

Frank gives a shout out to his four sons with special mention of Joe who’s rapidly gaining recognition as a trainer in his own right.

It’s a lovely trip down memory lane with one of the real characters of the Australian training ranks.

With the Sydney jockey’s room virtually a closed shop, other talented riders are obliged to carve themselves a niche in one of several strong NSW regional centres. With no shortage of race meetings, these jockeys are able to pursue a healthy livelihood, sneaking to town from time to time when an opportunity arises. One such jockey is Billy Owen who’s services are in regular demand in the Southern Districts. Bill’s first stint as a professional rider was halted by weight problems in 2013. He spent the next five years on the amateur circuit winning more than a hundred races. He was thrilled in 2018 when his weight stabilised, allowing him to return to the pro ranks. Bill talks about his current run of success.

He speaks highly of My Last Hooray whose three recent wins have impressed the jockey. The gelding is the only horse in the stable of former multiple Gr 1 winning trainer Frank Cleary.

The jockey talks of Asgarda, the mare he partnered in the Kosciuszko.

Bill’s location between Canberra and Queanbeyan enables him to ride trackwork at both venues.

The 32 year old takes us back to his early days growing up on the family farm near Gundagai. He says he was in the saddle at age 3.

He talks of his favourite equine activities and a brief stint at the rodeo.

Bill says he loved every minute of his Rugby League involvement with the Gundagai Tigers. His “jockey’s frame” came against him.

With the blessing of his parents, Billy gained an apprenticeship with Nick Olive.

The jockey clearly recalls his first winning ride on the Olive trained Chirurgo Dame in 2010.

He talks of a long and happy association with the Canberra trainer.

Bill was on the team during Nick’s association with classy mare Single Gaze. He never rode Single Gaze in a race, but was her regular partner in trials and trackwork.

He says the stable staff were wildly excited when Single Gaze ran second in a Caulfield Cup and progressed to the Melbourne Cup of 2017.

Billy talks of Voice Commander, the horse he rates as the best he’s ridden in a race.

He looks back on the decision to quit the professional ranks when his weight got out of control.

Bill has fond memories of his five years on the picnic circuit and a win in the famous Bong Bong Cup.

The jockey has never forgotten the morning he became aware that a return to the professional ranks was a possibility.

Bill says he took a much more professional approach on the comeback trail.

He’s never forgotten Nick Olive’s gesture in finding the right horse to re-launch his career.

Towards the end of 2018 Billy was tickled pink when Sydney trainer John O’Shea sought his services for a horse called Dawn Raid.

He fondly remembers his first Saturday metro win on Junglized for trainer Brad Widdup.

Bill hasn’t forgotten his first metropolitan double- a brace of wins at Warwick Farm for John O’Shea and Gerald Ryan.

He talks of the two jockeys he most admired as he was coming through the ranks.

Bill pays tribute to partner Kia, daughter of prominent trainer Doug Gorrel.

His regular riding weight of 57kgs is achievable only by adherence to a strict regime.

Bill acknowledges the support of a handful of southern trainers.

It’s a laid back chat with a very popular southern districts jockey.

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Lacey Morrison but I’ve been long aware of her notable achievements. This resilient 40 year old has had a diversified career in the racing industry as a jockey, a trainer and a two year stint as a member of the Darling Downs steward’s panel. Lacey’s comeback from injury in 2021 has far exceeded her expectations. In the recently concluded 2023/2024 season she rode 101 winners to finish fourth on the Queensland jockey’s premiership ladder. She also happens to be the doting mother of nine year old Buddy. Lacey Morrison says she’s happiest when busy.

The jockey talks about her good start to the new season and a recent Cluden Park treble.

Lacey says she was elated to top the century of winners last season.

She looks back on a quartet of wins at Townsville late in the season and her all time top score of five at a Cairns meeting.

The Cairns Amateur Cup is actually a prestigious professional event run in September. Lacey talks about her recent win on Cashin’ Chex.

The busy jockey talks about life in Tolga on the tablelands south west of Cairns.

She takes us through the racing circuit she supports week to week. Lacey says it takes the offer of a very good ride to get her as far away as Mackay.

The talented jockey looks back at childhood days at Taroom and Springsure when riding horses was a way of life.

She talks of an original apprenticeship to her father John followed by her transfer to Toowoomba trainer Russell Kirwin.

Lacey recalls her uneventful debut at Springsure and that thrilling first win at Bundaberg for the Gollan stable.

She says Proudly Agro was the first nice horse she got to ride. She won a metro Gr 3 on the horse.

The true blue Queenslander looks back on a very successful apprenticeship with special mention of a mare called Charlotte Sound who provided her 60th metropolitan win and the end of her claiming days.

In 2003 a burgeoning reputation saw Lacey invited to spend three months with Sydney trainer Clarry Conners. Despite a battle with homesickness she won a handful of races including one memorable Randwick victory on Sadarar for trainer Paul Cave.

Lacey was pretty chuffed when offered a ride in the Ramornie Hcp at Grafton in 2006. She was even more chuffed when For Valour stormed home to win the historic sprint.

She pays tribute to Legal Brief who gave her a prestigious Cups double in Queensland.

Lacey remembers the horrific four horse fall at Ipswich which sidelined her for ten months. This was the time she decided to try her hand as a steward.

She talks of her successful comeback and the disappointment of a second Ipswich fall in 2013.

Lacey got over that one fairly quickly but wasn’t keen to return to race riding. She decided to accept an offer to take over the stables of Toowoomba trainer John Dann. She enjoyed her time as a professional trainer.

She talks of son Buddy’s premature arrival in 2015.

Lacey was working for a local produce store when asked to ride some trackwork by Tolga trainer and good friend Sharlee Hoffman. Predictably the bug bit again.

When she decided to don the silks again in 2021 stewards demanded a rigorous barrier trial schedule.

Lacey’s versatility knows no bounds. She’s currently juggling her many race riding commitments with an online Tafe nursing course. This will be her long term future.

She says when it comes to her eventual retirement from race riding, partner Taron leaves it entirely up to her.

Great to catch up at last with a multi talented Queensland racing achiever.

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Darren Beadman many times but not so much in recent years. Spotted him at Graham McNeice’s recent funeral service, and it occurred to me that “Shadow” would have insisted I feature the former star jockey on this podcast. Darren’s a busy boy these days in his role as Race Day Operations Manager for Godolphin, with little time to spare. We pinned him down last Friday after he’d completed duties at the Rosehill barrier trials. It’s just a relaxed chat between two old racing mates. Darren talks about the importance of official trials in the Godolphin operation.

He explains that communication with race day media has become a significant part of his role with Godolphin.

Darren says he’s got a bigger advantage than most when listening to post race reports from the many jockeys used by Godolphin.

He reflects on the horrific Hong Kong accident that terminated his stellar riding career.

Darren outlines the complexities of his diffuse axonal brain injury and the subsequent rehabilitation period.

He names the best horse he got to ride during his time in Hong Kong.

The celebrated jockey takes us back to childhood days in Canberra and his earliest association with horses.

He reflects on his good fortune in having the opportunity to learn his trade under the legendary Theo Green.

Darren talks about an early apprentice’s premiership win and his first Gr 1 success- A Golden Slipper on Inspired for his boss.

He remembers another Slipper win 13 years later on Guineas.

The 58 year old remembers his relocation to France as a 19 year old. Despite ongoing homesickness, he managed to win 50 races including the Gr 1 Prix Morny at Deauville.

Darren takes us through the remarkable story of his Melbourne Cup win on Kingston Rule in 1990. The royally bred stayer carried the Kingston Town colours and elevated his fresh faced young jockey to racing’s biggest stage.

This man was privileged to ride some of the greatest horses of his generation. He talks with great affection about Saintly, known colloquially as “the horse from heaven”.

Predictably he lights up when asked to pay tribute to the amazing Octagonal.

Darren pays an even bigger tribute to Octagonal’s son Lonhro. He rates the champion’s two best wins.

Another great horse Beadman got to ride was Super Impose. He won seven races on the versatile champion. Darren remembers the 1991 Epsom when Super Impose did the impossible to complete a staggering quartet of Gr 1 mile victories at Randwick.

He had only two rides on the great mare Let’s Elope. One of them resulted in a stunning Australian Cup win.

He looks back on his bombshell decision to leave racing at the top of his game to join the Christian Life Centre as a Minister. He recalls his many duties for the church, and his role as a Skychannel presenter.

Darren confirms that wife Kim recently began her quest for a PHD in Psychology.

The family man talks of daughters Rachel and Jessica who’ve each provided their parents with a granddaughter.

Darren brings us up to date on the current activities of son Mitch who himself rode more than 100 winners in a very brief riding career.

I’m embarrassed to confess this is Darren’s first appearance on our podcast. I deserve a severe reprimand.

If pedigree has any bearing there was always a strong likelihood James Orman would become a jockey. His father Michael showed some talent in a very brief career before increasing weight terminated his aspirations. His mother Caroline Allardyce has been a trainer for forty years, and increased her team numbers when James became her stable apprentice in 2013. Young Orman’s emergence as one of Australia’s best jockeys has been spectacular. He begins by talking about his flying start in the new racing season.

James, or Jimmy as he’s popularly known, talks about life on his Nudgee property with Heidi and their children Floyd and Hallie.

The talented jockey talks of childhood days at Forest Hill, his involvement in pony club and a passion for gymnastics. He outlines some highs and lows from his time as a gymnast.

Jimmy says riding was second nature to him by the time he elected to become indentured to his trainer/mother.

He looks back on his very first race ride at Nanango. He finished third but believes he should have won the race.

He remembers his first winning ride on the same track.

James says his first metropolitan win was one of the most thrilling of his career. The horse was trained by his mum and won with ease.

The jockey says his first three rides in the city were all winners.

Jimmy says he’s ridden more winners for Kelly Schweida than he has for any other trainer. He acknowledges Schweida’s unwavering support.

He acknowledges the ongoing backing of some of Brisbane’s high profile stables.

The twenty seven year old remembers a special deal he made with his mother should she allow him to leave school.

He says people are never quite sure what they should call him. He prefers “Jimmy”.

James takes us through his impressions of the best horses he’s ridden in recent years with special mention of Niccanova, Prince Of Boom and Far Too Easy.

The outstanding jockey looks back on his opportunity to win a stakes race for the powerful Godolphin operation.

Jimmy rates Antino as the best horse he’s ridden to date. After nine Queensland wins on the Gollan trained galloper he was retained for the ride in the black type Tontonan Stakes in Melbourne. The experience turned out to be a nightmare.

He hopes for an opportunity to get another crack in Melbourne.

Orman talks of a surprise invitation from expat Queensland trainer Michael Costa to spend two weeks in Dubai late last year. The experience turned out to be everything that Melbourne wasn’t. He created a huge impression with five wins on one programme.

He also rode a winner at Meydan which boasts a spectacular jockey’s room.

Jimmy pays tribute to the jockeys who’ve influenced his career.

He talks of two debilitating injuries sustained in racing accidents.

The star jockey says his weight is fairly stable at 56 kgs provided he observes all the rules.

Jimmy hints at a few immediate goals. It’s a nice chat with yet another champion horseman from the sunshine state.