Episode 541: Tappy chats with Mack Griffith
Mack was in his early 30s when this one was taken at a Sydney race meeting - courtesy Martin King.
Mack Griffith has long been regarded as one of the most astute country based trainers in the state. He learned the trade from his late father John before taking out his own licence on the occasion of his 18th birthday. Mack joined an elite group when he won with his very first starter Acacia Ridge at Quirindi and has maintained an excellent strike rate ever since. He took a long break from racehorse training to manage Gooree Stud’s spelling and pre-training division at Mudgee, a role he filled for close to a decade. When Gooree ceased operations in 2020, Mack decided to stay in the district and is currently training a 15 horse team at the Mudgee racecourse. The 55 year old joins us on the podcast to look back on his life in racing. He begins by explaining the origins of his unusual christian name.
Mack talks of his 25 acre farm on the outskirts of Mudgee where his horses spend a lot of time.
He talks of a recent trip to the Mackay Cup carnival with two members of his 15 horse team Aimpoint and Amicus Curiae. Neither won but both covered expenses with minor placings.
Mack takes us right back to the early 70’s when his father landed a new job on a northern territory cattle station. It wasn’t long before John Griffith was training a handful of gallopers. Griffith Snr was thrilled to win the 1974 Darwin Cup with Chatelle.
Just a few months after Chatelle’s win Darwin was devastated by the ravages of Cyclone Tracey. As the city got back on its feet, the Darwin Turf Club launched a huge drive to regenerate racing at Fannie Bay. Trainers were encouraged to return to the top end, and John Griffith was one of the first to respond. Mack looks back on his time in Darwin.
The trainer reflects on his dad’s later move to northern Queensland where he built a strong reputation as a trainer.
Fast forward to the mid 1980’s and Mack looks back on a valuable six months with Brian Mayfield-Smith around the time he deposed Tommy Smith as Sydney’s premier trainer.
He remembers his father’s passing in 1995, and the twenty horse team he and brother Luke inherited. Many of the stable clients opted to support the young horsemen.
Mack hasn’t forgotten the thrill of winning with his very first runner at Quirindi. He had to endure the pressure of a protest.
The trainer looks back on his first city win at Canterbury and the pressure of yet another protest.
Griffith lights up as he talks about one of his all time favourites Dancing Sun. The genuine stallion won a string of country Cups and took his young trainer to Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day 1996.
He acknowledges the consistency of family horse Mach ‘N’ Me.
Outback Club gets an honourable mention from the trainer.
Mach talks of prolific winner Binalong Road. He recalls a win in a Country Championship Qualifier at Bathurst with Hugh Bowman on board.
The trainer looks back on a seven win streak with Pera Pera in the Gooree Stud colours.
Mach sings the praises of current star Compelling Truth, already the winner of $578,000. He has a high opinion of the horse.
He remembers the fateful night when he met a charming American girl in a Scone pub. After a whirlwind romance the pair were married in Las Vegas. They are now the proud parents of two daughters and a son.
Mack goes back to 2012 when he spotted an advertisement calling for expressions of interest in the role of spelling and pre-training manager at the famous Gooree Stud. He was destined to spend a decade in the job.
He tells the story of Gooree’s state of the art training track which once brought James Cummings to the property with twenty horses during a wet spell in Sydney.
Mack says the magnificent Gooree property is currently unused as its fate is determined.
He pays tribute to some of his favourite “go-to” jockeys.
It’s a laid back chat with a highly respected bush trainer who’s crammed a lot into his fifty five years.
(Banner image - Pera Pera (Aaron Bullock) strolls home in the Bengalla Cup at the “Brook” - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Mack with Hugh Bowman and connections after a Mudgee win with Binalong Road 05/12/2014 - courtesy Virginia Harvey.
One of 12 wins for Compelling Truth in a BM66 at Tamworth 16/02/2024. Winning margin was 5.92 lengths - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Mack with one of his “go-to” jockeys Aaron Bullock at Scone 16/12/2016 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Mack with two of his greatest fans after Pera Pera’s win in the Bengalla Cup 07/08/2016 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
