I first met Josh Fleming when he visited the Sky Studios with family members in 2000. He was just 15 at the time, but already a professional race caller in Queensland. He’d debuted at Longreach a year earlier and had subsequently called the action at several far flung tracks. He was too young to take part in Sky’s first “young race caller scholarship” but landed a job in his own right three years later. He’s come a long way from that nervous start at Longreach, and the story makes for an interesting podcast. Josh recalls that brief visit to the Sky studios almost 25 years ago. He pays tribute to the grandmother who lived long enough to see him make his race calling debut. Josh cherishes memories of his meeting with the late Graham McNeice on that Sunday morning in 2000. The 39 year old calls regularly from Doomben, Eagle Farm and the Sunny Coast. He rates the popular tracks. Josh has just returned from his 21st visit to the Birdsville Cup. He talks of the unique two day carnival on the edge of the Simpson Desert. He says he was horrified in 1995 when his school teacher mother Alison announced her transfer to Barcaldine 1000 kms from his beloved Brisbane.  Josh talks of his friendship with stipendiary steward John Wallace who took him to several outback meetings, and was instrumental in getting him the Longreach “gig”. His debut was impressive enough to generate a few more race calling opportunities in the region. It was back to Brisbane in 2001 and some work experience at 4TAB. Josh looks back on his many “practice” calls at Doomben and Eagle Farm. He had invaluable input from Wayne Wilson and Alan Thomas. The dedicated broadcaster remembers with affection the beginning of his Sydney role with Skychannel. He was ust 18. Josh looks back on the experience he gained on provincial and country tracks. He seized the opportunity to cover city meetings for three months on Sky Racing Radio. He has some precious memories from that chapter in his career. He was thrilled to be offered the full time Brisbane role when Alan Thomas decided to pull up stumps. He’s never forgotten Alan’s final day on the Gold Coast. Two weeks after Alan’s retirement Josh got to cover the Magic Millions meeting- a $10 million dollar race day. He called the easy win by Capitalist. Josh got a bonus on the day when he called the great sprinter Buffering in a $1 million dollar race. He remembers the special day in 2008 when he met his future wife Gabrielle at a Queensland picnic race meeting. Josh speaks with pride and affection about his two children Olivia and Jackson. He chooses to live in the picturesque Darling Downs township of Warwick. Josh says he doesn’t mind the travel involved. To say he was born to be a race caller might seem to be a fanciful phrase- in Josh Fleming’s case the old cliche holds true.

This is a long overdue chat with one of the most respected riders in the Australian amateur ranks. When not competing at faraway picnic meetings, Ricky Blewitt can be found riding trackwork at Narromine before starting his full time job as the Narromine Turf Club’s track manager. The busy horseman speaks highly of the first class country racecourse.  Ricky confirms that he rides eight or more horses in trackwork most mornings for his partner Kylie Kennedy. He says Kylie competes mainly at professional meetings but occasionally takes a horse to the picnics. The top horseman speaks highly of Kylie’s father, former jockey and successful trainer Wayne Collison. Ricky says he has no problem with the 62 kg minimum weight at the picnic meetings. The jockey declares his love for the business and his willingness to drive long distances to race meetings. He talks of early days in Queanbeyan and makes the surprise admission that he had a fear of horses in childhood days. Ricky recalls his friendship with a local apprentice who went on to Gr 1 success as a jockey. He looks back on a deal he made with his parents regarding schooling, and his first job with local trainer Amanda Langlar. Rick looks back on his transfer to respected trainer Arch Turner and the nasty trackwork fall that dimmed his enthusiasm for a while. He talks of his debut as an amateur rider and the thrill of a win at just his second ride. Ricky says he has no idea of the number of premierships he’s won largely because of inadequate records. He talks of his wonderful run in Picnic Cups all over the state. He looks back on the first of his three Bong Bong Cup successes. He got a huge thrill to win his second Bong Bong Cup in the colours made famous by champions like Saintly and So You Think. Ricky’s third win at Bong Bong gave him the biggest kick of all. He was chuffed to ride a horse called Frenzied for the Waterhouse/Bott combination. Both trainers were there on the day. The jockey says the Bong Bong Cup meeting is very different to days gone by. He talks of the famous Golden Triangle picnic circuit in the state’s north west- three meetings in two weeks which all attract huge crowds. Rick pays tribute to Moree trainer Peter Sinclair who’s given him great support over many years. He says the Sinclair trained Track Flash is almost certainly the best picnic galloper he’s ridden. Ricky has no doubt the Picnic Cups are almost TAB standard races these days. He says the influence of Racing NSW has resulted in better maintained picnic race tracks. He reviews some of the many picnic tracks he’s patronised over the year, with special mention of the popular Bedgerabong course. Ricky says he’s been relatively lucky regarding injuries throughout his career but has unhappy memories of one three horse crash at Tomingley in 2019. He and Mick Gray sustained multiple injuries, while Michael Hackett had to call time on a successful career. He pays tribute to two great picnic jockeys who helped shape his career. Rick has had many memorable days of race riding. He recalls a couple of red letter days at Booroowa and Tottenham. I’ve had several requests to present a podcast with Ricky Blewitt. It was a delight to catch up with a true gentleman of the amateur riding ranks. 

We’re delighted to present a podcast with a young Welshman who took NSW racing by the seat of its pants last season and turned it upside down. Ashley Morgan arrived in a strange country unheralded and unsung in 2018 and with the help of a prominent Scone trainer began to ply his trade. Last season he was crowned NSW champion jockey. We begin by talking to Ashley about his quick return to the UK recently for the christening of his young daughter. The Welsh born jockey talks of the trackwork he rode while overseas to ensure his weight remained in check. He was thrilled to be given a few race rides in England and the USA. Ashley takes us back to childhood days in Wales and his early riding experience on his grandfather’s hunters and point to point horses. He talks of work experience in Somerset and his apprenticeship to Mark Tompkins at Newmarket. He later transferred to Ed Dunlop, a trainer well known in Australia. After riding around 70 winners he lost his focus on race riding and sought employment in London. In fact he tried two jobs. When Ashley contemplated a return to the saddle he was horrified to discover his weight had soared to 68kgs. He talks of his dedication to losing enough weight to resume race riding. The premiership winning jockey reflects on the twelve emails he sent off to Australian trainers. To his amazement a well known Scone trainer asked him to call.  Ashley says local trainers were very wary of this Welsh jockey for the first couple of months. He looks back on a disastrous introduction to Australian racing and the unexpected thrill of his first winner on Aussie soil. He fondly revisits his first ever winning treble at Muswellbrook. He says this was the day he arrived in Australian racing. Ashley talks of a bush trainer who gave him a big helping hand, and a gradual turnaround from Hunter Valley stables. He remembers the moment when he sensed a premiership win was on the cards. He gives great credit to his manager. Ashley says his loyalty to country clients keeps him away from the city. He recalls his first metro win on Pandora Blue at Randwick. He runs through a few  feature races he’s been able to win since arriving in NSW. The jockey reflects on his chance meeting with partner Kara who was working on a Hunter Valley Stud. He tells us more about his little “Aussie” daughter River. Ashley looks back on the heartache he suffered when covid travel restrictions kept him away from the funerals of three loved ones back home. He acknowledges a very nice mare he got to ride during the season. Ashley outlines his trackwork schedules. He reveals there was an offer from a Newmarket trainer should he wish to return to the UK. It’s a laid back chat with a hard working Welshman who has no intention of regenerating his career as a real estate salesman.

Great to catch up with Bart Sinclair OAM who retired from his role as Racing Editor of the Brisbane Courier Mail in 2012, after four decades of trusted racing journalism. The Racing Queensland Hall of Fame Inductee begins by outlining his current role with the Brisbane Racing Club. Bart pays tribute to his father and namesake Bart Sinclair Snr who had great success as a jockey and trainer. Young Bart never saw his father ride, but learned of his talents from old time racing men as he was growing up. He talks of his Dad’s association with Berborough. Bart Snr thought he had the mount on the occasion of Bernborough’s Sydney debut, but was doomed to disappointment. Bart remembers a betting coup his father orchestrated in Brisbane with an unsound horse called Bindana. Bart Snr. patched up another unsound horse called Mullala to win the 1963 Stradbroke. Bart Jnr reflects on his father’s Derby win with Minto Crag and the many races he won with Oxford King- a horse he bought for 300 guineas. The eminent journalist reflects on his childhood around the stables and his friendship with another budding jockey who remains a great friend to this day. Bart talks of his many visits to Sydney with his Dad, and his passion for the famous Doncaster Hcp. One particular Doncaster is etched in his memory. He remembers the scholarship win which introduced him to the man destined to become his mentor, and a great influence on his life. Bart looks back on his early introduction to radio and television and the special people from whom he learned the business. He talks of his lifetime affinity with the suburb of Ascot and nearby Eagle Farm racecourse. He and Judy moved away for a short time, but quickly returned. Bart pays tribute to Judy and his two daughters. The seventy year old looks back on the infamous Fine Cotton scandal, and the “caffeine case” which proved an embarrassment to Queensland racing chiefs. Bart reflects on the remarkable Rough Habit- the New Zealand horse Queenslanders took into their hearts. He talks of his involvement with Brisbane’s popular Bernborough Club which brings racing men together several times a year, and contributes thousands of dollars to charity. It’s a good chat with Bart Sinclair OAM.

Michael expresses his delight at winning his second consecutive Melbourne junior title.   The twenty one year old talks of the enormous influence racing had on his early life. It was the main topic of conversation in the family.   Michael recalls the moment he knew he wanted to be a jockey.   He talks of early experience with the Stockdale stable and subsequent apprenticeship to Stuart Webb. He didn’t think he’d ever get to ride a racehorse.   Michael delights in telling the story about the budding superstar who gave him his first winning ride.   The young jockey talks of his exciting trip to France for the Longines Prix Future Racing Stars series.   He pays tribute to the great old horse who provided his first city win.   Michael talks of the generosity of champion jockey Craig Williams.   He acknowledges the horses who’ve helped him win two premierships.   Michael talks of his father’s influence on his career, and the reason he elected to ride under another name.   The young jockey speaks of the tragic loss of his mother Janelle earlier this year.   He looks back on his only Gr 1 ride to date, courtesy of Team Hawkes.   Michael looks at the future without his weight allowances.

Podcast number 13 features trainer Bryan Guy who has won 1000 races in Queensland since relocating from Rosehill in 2000. Bryan talks about the legacy established by his late father Ray Guy who was among Sydneys top trainers for many years. Through Bryan and his son Daniel, the name continues on its winning way. 

On podcast 12 we catch up with champion jockey Tommy Berry who is back home after a topsy-turvy year in Hong Kong. Tommy faces the challenge of re-establishing his place among Sydneys powerful jockeys ranks. This interview was recorded the day before Tom rode Chautauqua in a crucial barrier trial at Rosehill.