Received a couple of emails lately requesting information on two former elite racehorses. My correspondents are two younger racing enthusiasts curious about the deeds of Battle Heights and Manikato. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Following in the footsteps of jockeys like Jeff Lloyd, Robbie Fradd and Larry Cassidy, Vlad Duric has chosen Brisbane as home base for the latter years of his riding career. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

When Luke Nolen’s in full swing it’s difficult to get him to sit still long enough to conduct an interview. Currently he’s on the sidelines indefinitely following a freakish fall at Geelong early in December. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

I’d lost count of the number of country racing fans who’d requested a podcast with retired jockey Graham Power. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Good to catch up with a young jockey who’s forged a prominent spot among the powerful Sydney riding ranks in recent years. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

We had our podcast interview with Keith Ballard safely “in the can” before he reported for duty at Saturday’s Julia Creek Cup fixture at Mount Isa. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

With the Sydney jockey’s room virtually a closed shop, other talented riders are obliged to carve themselves a niche in one of several strong NSW regional centres. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Lacey Morrison but I’ve been long aware of her notable achievements. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Darren’s a busy boy these days in his role as Race Day Operations Manager for Godolphin, with little time to spare. We pinned him down last Friday after he’d completed duties at the Rosehill barrier trials. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

If pedigree has any bearing there was always a strong likelihood James Orman would become a jockey. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Aaron Bullock has emerged in the last five years as one of Australia’s most consistent jockeys. In the 2022/2023 season his astounding strike rate saw him win the national jockey’s title with 207.5 winners. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Many racing people were predicting a bright future for Dylan Gibbons long before he made his debut at Taree in July 2020. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

After just 14 years of race riding Don Terry was clearly established as one of the best country based jockeys in Australia. He was approaching 700 winners when involved in a life changing race fall at Grafton. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Kevin Sweeney was one of those ever reliable jockeys who did his job with total dedication for an amazing 46 years. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

It’s just over three years since Molly Bourke won her first race on Mouse Almighty at Wagga. Another 131 wins have followed, complimented by an SDRA Apprentices Premiership. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Pioneers like Pam O’Neill have taken great pride in watching the enormous progress made by female jockeys in recent years. Wendy Peel is Dubbo based these days but has had several addresses during her first seven years of race riding. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Joe Bowditch has been a familiar face on major Australian racetracks for more than 34 years. He’s still plying his trade from a Victorian base at 47 years of age, and still riding winners. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

In the late 1990’s Jarrod Austin walked away from racing to investigate what other career options were available in the world. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Brian York hasn’t wasted a single minute from the day he became aware that his riding days were over. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Great to catch up with northern NSW riding legend Peter Graham who’s still going strong at 55 years of age and closing in on 2500 career wins. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)