Episode 595: Tony McEvoy - From a Streaky Bay apprenticeship to a Melbourne Cup triumph with many golden moments in between
Tony and Calvin soak up the atmosphere after their thrilling success in the Melbourne Cup - courtesy Racing Photos.
As a youngster Tony McEvoy looked forward to a long career as a jockey. As it turned out he was just 19 when increasing weight put an end to that dream, but not before he’d topped a century of wins. His talents in the saddle and devotion to duty saw him rewarded with two amazing opportunities at Gr 1 level in 1977. Young Mc Evoy rode a copybook race on Deesse to win the South Australian Oaks. He went tantalisingly close to completing the 3YO classic double when So Called went under narrowly to Stormy Rex in the Derby. His training career began under tragic circumstances when appointed head trainer for Lindsay Park following the death of Peter Hayes in a light aircraft crash in 2001. Tony’s subsequent journey has been one of racing’s greatest stories. The master horseman takes us on a sentimental journey on this week’s podcast. He begins by talking about he and son Calvin’s dual operation at Flemington and Ballarat.
Tony looks back on Calvin’s early fascination with racing. He says racehorses dominated his every thought while growing up in the Barossa Valley.
He looks back on early days in Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula and pays tribute to his parents. Mother Connie is still living independently at a remarkable age.
Tony looks back on his first apprenticeship with local trainer Bill Holland. His nephew Kerrin started with the same astute trainer.
He clearly remembers the thrill of his first winning ride at Balaclava on a horse trained by the local race caller.
Tony talks of a transfer to champion trainer Colin Hayes and the highlights of his brief but successful riding career. He looks back on a near miss in attempting the Oaks/Derby double.
He pays tribute to two outstanding mares he got to ride for the Lindsay Park operation.
The veteran horseman speaks affectionately of his personal favourite among the Hayes trained horses.
Tony looks back on his delight when offered a job on the Lindsay Park team following his retirement from race riding.
He reflects on the shock accident that claimed the life of Peter Hayes and the sadness that followed at Lindsay Park. With David Hayes already committed to a Hong Kong contract, Tony was appointed head trainer at the famous Angaston operation.
He was privileged to train the classy Fields Of Omagh during this initial stint and was thrilled to win the SA Oaks twenty six years after he’d won the race as a jockey.
Tony looks back on the decision by David Hayes in 2010 to move the entire Lindsay Park operation to Victoria. He says he gave strong consideration to remaining on the team but received opposition from daughter Eliza and son Calvin.
He pays tribute to wife, Jo, whom he met at Lindsay Park during her time as a valued trackwork rider.
Tony takes us through the fascinating story of his friendship with Wayne Mitchell who eventually purchased the Lindsay Park training operation. Wayne remains Tony’s business partner.
Like most South Australian participants Tony says he was thrilled to win the historic Goodwood Hcp shortly before relocating to Victoria.
The trainer takes us through the fairy tale story of the purchase of Half Yours and the gelding’s spectacular rise in the staying ranks last spring. For he and Calvin, it was a dream come true so early in their partnership.
We obviously devote the appropriate space to McEvoy’s recollection of Sunlight’s short but brilliant career.
Tony pays a fitting tribute to his four time Gr 1 winning warrior Hey Doc.
He acknowledges his SA Derby win with good filly Coco Sun.
Tony and Calvin were pretty excited when their French import Yellow Jersey began his spring campaign in Saturday’s Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield. Tony shares the backstory.
He talks of another French import they have in the stable who recently strung together 4 straight city wins. Nearco Frod is raced by an OTI syndicate.
Tony McEvoy’s journey in racing is the kind of story podcasts are made for. Delighted to have him share that story on this week’s edition.
Half Yours looked like he could have gone around again when he reached the line in the Melbourne Cup - courtesy Racing Photos.
Tony and Calvin with a jubilant Jamie Melham - only the second female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup - courtesy Racing Photos.
Sunlight (Barend Vorster) led throughout to beat Osborne Bulls and Brave Smash in the 2019 Newmarket - courtesy Racing Photos.
Sunlight (Luke Currie) defied Zousain, The Lean Machine and Written By in the 2018 Coolmore Stud Stakes - courtesy Racing Photos.
Tony and jockey Luke Currie have been a successful duo in Victorian racing. Here they are after Hey Doc’s Australian Guineas win in 2017 - courtesy Racing Photos.
