Episode 582: Simon Price - South Australia has produced a long line of top jockeys. Simon Price is high on the list.

The South Aussie veteran spoke with the Sky team after the BM66 win at Tamworth - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Simon Price hasn’t ridden in a race for five years but still spends plenty of time in the saddle. He’s at Morphettville trackwork three mornings a week and has a regular presence at the barrier trials and jumpouts. With sons Will and Ben both forging successful riding careers in Adelaide, Price Snr is content to take a back seat these days. Simon’s CV credits him with close to 2000 winners including a host of black type features. At the height of his career, he had regular support from many leading stables and a strong public following. In response to several requests for an interview with the talented horseman, I’m pleased to say job’s done! Simon joins us on this week’s podcast to look back on his very rewarding career.

He talks about his Morphettville trackwork involvement three times a week for some discerning trainers.

Simon says he also works a “day job” at a prominent landscaping business owned by an old friend.

He looks back on a snap decision in 2020 to relocate to NSW at the request of former South Australian horseman Sam Kavanagh.

Simon recalls going all the way to Mudgee to ride his first winner for Kavanagh.

The veteran says a Tamworth success on More Sundays for Kavanagh was his last winning ride.

Simon pays tribute to Sam Kavanagh who died after a short illness 18 months ago.

He looks back on childhood days in Adelaide and pays tribute to his parents.

Simon recalls the unlikely circumstances that would trigger his introduction to horses.

He talks of early tuition from George Davison and a subsequent apprenticeship to Peter Hayes at Oakbank.

Simon says Peter Hayes was a thoughtful boss who encouraged him to ride for other trainers.

He clearly remembers his first race ride at Cheltenham and his first win at a now defunct racecourse close to the Victorian border.

The fifty five year old remembers the support he received from some prominent Adelaide trainers.

He looks back on a “loan-out” to Cranbourne trainer Colin Alderson.

During this time Peter Hayes sent a horse to Melbourne to run in the inaugural C.S. Hayes Stakes at Moonee Valley. Young Simon gained the ride and it was a dream result.

We randomly reminisce with Price about some of his favourite horses beginning with the Russell Cameron trained Shavano Miss - an unpleasant mare with great ability.

Simon looks back on a surprise phone call from the Waterhouse stable and the offer of a Doncaster ride. He thought someone was “pulling his leg.”

He looks back on a brief association with the Leon Corstens trained Cherontessa which led to a win in the Gr 1 South Australian Oaks.

Simon couldn’t believe his luck when history repeated itself the following year. WA owner Bob Peters sent Miss Margaret to Peter Hayes for a three race campaign. Simon got the ride and won the Gr 3 Auraria, ran second in the Australasian Oaks before winning the Gr 1 South Australian Oaks.

The jockey enjoyed several successful stints in Singapore including one twelve month stay. He was delighted to win the 1998 Gr 1 Singapore Gold Cup on the Malcolm Thwaites trained Three Crowns. It was the last Cup to be staged at the Bukit Timah track.

Six weeks later Simon rode Three Crowns in the Melbourne Cup and was deeply saddened when the genuine gelding broke down at the top of the straight.

Simon had little hesitation in declaring Fields Of Omagh to be the best horse he rode in a race. The jockey was on board for three of the gelding’s South Australian wins. One of those wins was at Cheltenham the other two at Victoria Park. Both tracks have subsequently been closed.

Price had a big opinion of the brilliant but unsound mare La Baraka. He won two Group 3 races on the daughter of Euclase and hasn’t forgotten her glaring conformation faults.

Most Adelaide jockeys greatly value wins in the Goodwood Hcp and the Adelaide Cup. He regrets not being able to win either. He ran second in both races to horses ridden by the same top Victorian jockey.

Simon says a busy work routine has helped him deal with a difficult time since the passing of his wife Belinda.

He pays tribute to sons Will and Ben and daughter Abby who has in turn given him two adored grandsons.

The elder Price reviews the careers so far of sons Will and Ben. Both young jockeys are currently settled in Adelaide where they’re getting good support from prominent stables.

I remember the days in the broadcast box when I’d watch Adelaide races in between Sydney events. Simon Price won a huge number of those races. Great to welcome him as a podcast guest.

Simon’s last winning ride was on More Sundays for the late Sam Kavanagh - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Back to scale on More Sundays in the John Singleton colours. The gelding was by Fastnet Rock from Singo’s former star mare More Joyous - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Back to scale on Three Crowns after the last Singapore Gold Cup to be run on the old Bukit Timah racecourse 1998.

The cerise and white silks of WA owner/breeder Bob Peters are well known on Australian tracks. Peter Hayes leads Miss Margaret back to the winners circle

Presentation of trophies after the SA Oaks. Peter Hayes trained the Perth filly in a three race campaign.

An easy win for Miss Margaret in the South Australian Oaks defeating Clearly Supreme and Not On Friday.

Aided by a wet track Three Crowns was strong on the line to win the Singapore Gold Cup for Simon and trainer Malcolm Thwaites.