Unsaddling the Allan Denham trained Loftily after a win at Rosehill 08/01/2005. Darryl wore the famous colours of the White family. He also won the previous race on Diamond Sun - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Darryl McLellan’s recent retirement announcement caught a few racing mates by surprise. It was well known that the 54 year old was still enjoying his riding and happy to travel big mileage if the mounts were there. He aggravated an old shoulder problem in an accident at Port Macquarie last December which sidelined him for five months. After just 22 rides on the comeback trail he knew the troublesome shoulder was destined to bring the curtain down on his very successful career. “Digger” is still dealing with the frustration of having to stop before he was ready, but kindly consented to join us on the podcast. The veteran jockey says he’s having fresh scans currently to determine the long range future of a shoulder he injured initially in 2009.
He takes us back to a Sunday meeting at Port Macquarie in late December when a fall from a “bucking bronco” aggravated a fifteen year old injury.
Darryl reflects on his very first job as an apprentice spray painter. Workmates constantly encouraged him to consider a future as a jockey.
He looks back on his time with top Muswellbrook trainer Pat Farrell who enjoyed a reputation as a master tutor of junior riders.
Darryl says he hadn’t ridden a horse when his apprenticeship began, but was riding in barrier trials after four months.
He remembers his first race ride at Quirindi and his first winning ride at Kembla Grange.
He acknowledges the first better than average horse he got to ride.
McLellan looks back on the thrill of winning the 1992/93 Sydney apprentices premiership.
He says his nickname “Digger” evolved during his spray painting apprenticeship and has never left him.
Darryl talks of the tremendous advantage he had over most jockeys by being able to ride at the limit weight. That ability brought him the ride on Magic Of Money in the 1995 Galaxy, his first Gr 1 success.
He remembers his ride on the same horse in the Doomben $10,000. He thought he was on a winner approaching the hometurn.
In the same year he was thrilled when Bart Cummings got him to ride a horse at a Saturday Newcastle meeting. How could he have known what Saintly was to achieve over the next 18 months.
“Digger’s” ability to ride light got him on Iron Horse in a very strong Epsom of 1996. He ran third to a couple of talented horses.
He looks back on an approach by John Hawkes seeking his services for Lease in the Doncaster. Take Sunline out and he wins the famous Gr 1 event.
The veteran hasn’t forgotten his 2000 Newcastle Cup win on Silent Impact. He says he’s never seen a bigger crowd at the Broadmeadow Racecourse.
“Digger” values the bragging rights he derived when he won the 2001 Warwick Stakes on Lonhro. It was his one and only ride on the great horse.
He looks back on his Chairman’s Hcp/Sydney Cup double on the Neville McBurney trained Henderson Bay.
Darryl fondly remembers an association with the hugely talented Court Command. One of several wins was the 2006 Golden Rose before the race was elevated to Gr 1 status.
He remembers the barrier trial fall at Newcastle which was the catalyst for his longtime shoulder issues. He resumed about 8 months later only to be involved in another fall on the same track, aggravating the old injury.
“Digger” talks about a five year hiatus and the sudden urge to resurrect his riding career.
He reflects on the five years since his return to the riding ranks. Opportunities haven’t been as plentiful, but he’s enjoyed every moment.
(Banner image - Lonhro was dominant with just 49.5 kgs in the 2001 Warwick Stakes. This was “Digger’s” only ride on the champion - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Jack Ingham and Trevor Lobb were anxious to hear Digger’s assessment of Lonhro’s win after the Warwick Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Digger wins the Chairmans Hcp on Henderson Bay 30/03/2002. Two weeks later horse and rider combined again to win the Sydney Cup - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Digger pulls out all stops to get Sportsman home narrowly over Takas (Darren Beadman) inn the 2002 Peter Pan Stakes. It was one of three winners on the day for McLellan - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Court Command led throughout to score an emphatic win in the 2006 Golden Rose - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Digger was delighted to win the Golden Rose for trainer Darren Smith - courtesy Bradley Photographers.