Episode 586: Bob Vance - Star NZ jockey of the 80’s and 90’s now training successfully in partnership with wife Jenny.
Bob Vance unsaddles I’m Henry, one of his four NZ Derby winners.
Bob and Jenny Vance train a very small team at Ardmore in Auckland but boast a healthy strike rate with a Gr 1 win already on the board. I have vivid recollections of Bob winning the 1993 W.S. Cox Plate on The Phantom Chance - the first of five Cox Plates I got to call for the Nine Network. Just three years after winning the famous Moonee Valley feature, Bobby Vance decided to call time on his stellar riding career and join his wife Jenny in the training ranks. Swedish born Jenny Moller had also enjoyed a very successful career in the saddle. We tracked Bob down last week and he agreed to join us on this week’s podcast. He begins by talking of the Ardmore training complex and says he and Jenny run the operation unassisted.
He reflects on the thrill of a Gr 1 training win at Te Rapa in 2021 with an expat Hong Kong galloper.
Bob looks back on he and Jenny’s initial reaction when daughter Maija announced her intention to become a jockey.
He talks of Maija’s immediate success in NZ and a subsequent five year stint in Australia.
The former ace jockey talks of Maija’s switch to jumps riding and the career ending injuries she sustained in a crash at Rotorua.
Bob says he was watching the race on TV in Auckland and knew instantly Maija was in serious trouble.
He talks of his daughter’s horrific injury list and her amazing recovery over a period of years. Maija is now training in tandem at Cambridge with partner Josh.
Bobby looks back on childhood days in Auckland and a work experience stint with a legendary Ellerslie trainer.
When the time was right for Bob to be signed up as an apprentice jockey he had to go all the way to Matamata. He was required to go to school when stable chores were completed. Bob looks back on a very unhappy episode in his life.
He remembers the stroke of good fortune that led him to an apprenticeship with legendary Takanini horseman Colin Jillings. He was there for the duration of his junior term and beyond.
The Jillings/Vance partnership soon reached dizzy heights with the ongoing success of star galloper Uncle Remus.
Bob looks back on his 4 win haul in the prestigious NZ Derby.
He pays tribute to the training skills of Colin Jillings whose passing in 2022 saddened the entire NZ racing industry.
Bob remembers with affection his two Auckland Cup wins.
Vance makes special mention of another great favourite Mr. McGinty (his name whenever he raced in Australia). He’s never forgotten the colt’s Sydney debut and a defeat of “boom colt” Marscay. He literally won the race on three legs.
Bob reflects on Mr. McGinty’s amazing comeback and a swag of Gr 1 victories as a three year old.
He talks of McGinty’s subsequent success at the stud.
The former jockey talks of multiple premiership wins at home.
Bob looks back on a wonderful association with The Phantom Chance and that dominant Cox Plate win in 1993.
Bob had been retired three years when invited by the VRC to participate in a non betting event at Flemington against some legendary former champion riders. He enjoyed the experience.
He gives a special “shout out” to mum Ronnie who’s still going strong in NZ.
This is a nostalgic journey with one of New Zealand’s best riders from the 80’s and 90’s.
Bob’s very first win on Persian Sun for his master at Ellerslie 29/12/1975. He gained the ride when no other jockey was available at the limit weight.
Young Bob Vance with his master the late Colin Jillings.
Bob enjoyed a rewarding apprenticeship with four junior titles to his credit.
What a stunning little horse was Mr. McGinty. Bob canters to the start before the 1984 Chipping Norton Stakes in which he ran third to Emancipation and Trissaro - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
The Phantom Chance was airborne on the line in the 1993 Cox Plate - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Unsaddling after a career defining win in the 1993 Cox Plate - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Col Jillings and Bob with The Phantom Chance after the presentation of trophies - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
An early one of Jenny between track work commitments.
Jenny Moller, now Mrs. Bob Vance, at the peak of her race riding career.
Maija emulated her father by riding her first winner on the famous Ellerslie track. Inset - Maija goes for home on $64.00 ‘pop Black Fox’.
