Episode 591: Katelyn McDonald - Former successful race rider, mother of two, television presenter and wife to one of the world’s most in-demand jockeys.
Another win in the Lloyd Williams colours. Kate returns to scale after a win on Our Century at Caulfield 12/10/2016 - courtesy Racing Photos.
I couldn’t believe Katelyn McDonald had actually found the time to join the podcast until we were five minutes into the interview. As it turned out she took more than an hour out of her hectic schedule to cover a wide range of subjects. From a celebrated family of Victorian jockeys Katelyn Mallyon enjoyed a rewarding eight years in the saddle which brought a string of black type wins including a coveted Gr 1 success. Her life changed direction abruptly in 2017 when she met a talented young NZ jockey at a Melbourne dinner party. Today Mr. and Mrs. James McDonald are the proud parents of two delightful little girls. James works hard to maintain his reputation as one of the world’s most elite riders. His wife works equally as hard in her multifaceted life.
Katelyn begins by talking about her young daughters, Evie almost 4 and Mia who recently turned 2. She pays tribute to her NZ mother-in-law Diane who now lives in Sydney.
She talks about a couple of her husband’s habitual idiosyncrasies. She says James thinks of little else but racing while keeping a close watch on his weight.
Katelyn looks back on James’ response when she announced her intention to quit the saddle in 2018.
She talks of her regular involvement with the Ch 7 racing coverage and the opportunity to work with some talented media performers.
Katelyn explains her long time working association with the popular “Punters.com.au” platform.
She looks back on her early aspirations to become a jockey with special mention of the influence of her paternal grandfather Mick Mallyon, one of the most talented riders of his generation. Mick is now 86 and going strongly.
Katelyn outlines the racing backgrounds of her father Brett and mother Mary. She looks back on childhood days at the local pony club.
She talks of her initial apprenticeship to father Brett and a later transfer to the Ellerton/Zarah training partnership. She remembers her very first win, and maiden city success.
The effervescent young mother looks back on an apprentice’s premiership in 2011/2012, the first female to achieve that special milestone.
Late in her premiership winning season Katelyn was involved in the worst fall of her riding career. Despite being sidelined for ten weeks she had a big enough lead to win the junior title. She talks about the thrill of winning a second apprentice’s crown two years later.
She looks back on the achievement that brought one of her greatest racing thrills. With just a few weeks of her apprenticeship remaining, young Ms. Mallyon won on Miss Cooper at Sandown to outride her metropolitan claim.
Her supreme racing moment came in the autumn of 2017 when she joined the Gr 1 club. Katelyn combined with gutsy mare Silent Sedition to win the prestigious William Reid Stakes under the lights at Moonee Valley. She revisits the backstory surrounding the whole magical experience.
The talented former jockey remembers her one and only Melbourne Cup ride on the Lloyd Williams owned Assign and enjoys telling the story of the fateful day at Flemington when she relegated her future husband into second place.
She pays tribute to respected jockey agent Matthew Alesci who guided her entire eight year riding career.
Katelyn delights in telling the story of the Melbourne dinner party when she first made the acquaintance of James McDonald. A well known Sydney jockey played “Cupid”.
She talks of the disqualification that sidelined James for eighteen months. An overseas trip together was destined to lead to marriage and parenthood.
Katelyn talks of the surprise invitation she received to take part in an International Jockey’s Challenge in Japan. She enjoyed every minute of the adventure.
She looks back on a permanent move to Sydney and the final few months of her riding career.
It was a delight to profile the incredible journey thus far of a young lady whose destiny was set in stone. She hasn’t wasted a single minute.
A familiar sight on Melbourne tracks during her apprenticeship - Katelyn Mallyon in the winners circle - courtesy Racing Photos.
A vigorous Kate Mallyon gets Assign home in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield 08/10/2016 . Three weeks later she rode Assign in the Melbourne Cup - courtesy Racing Photos.
The McDonald family on the dais after one of Romantic Warrior’s many major wins at Sha Tin.
The last race on the last day of the 2016 Melbourne Cup carnival - Katelyn on Little White Cloud relegates James McDonald into second place. Great dinner party material! - courtesy Racing Photos.
A Gr. 1 at last! Katelyn lands Silent Sedition a narrow winner over Hellbent in the William Reid Stakes - courtesy Racing Photos.
It wasn’t hard to tell Katelyn wanted to be a jockey as far back as pony club days.
Another win in the Lloyd Williams colours. Kate returns to scale after a win on Our Century at Caulfield 12/10/2016 - courtesy Racing Photos.
Early in life Katelyn had the opportunity to strut the catwalk but opted for her racing career. She revisited the modelling world in this Australian Turf Club promotional shot.
The McDonalds relax at home. It’s a wonder Kate got James to sit still long enough for the photo to be taken.
