It was mid October when I invited Ray Hadley to be special guest on the occasion of our 500th podcast episode. Never once during the conversation did the legendary broadcaster so much as hint that he was contemplating calling time on his 2GB morning programme. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

The story of the Freedman era is one of racing’s all time best - four enthusiastic young brothers who made an amazing journey from the family stud farm at Yass to the establishment of a Victorian based training powerhouse. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

A hat trick of recent country wins by improving gelding My Last Hooray rekindled memories of Frank Cleary’s glory days in Australian racing. (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)

I first met Josh Fleming when he visited the Sky Studios with family members in 2000. He was just 15 at the time, but already a professional race caller in Queensland. (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)

Steve Hart was just 23 years old when he joined the ranks of Sydney’s race photographers in 1983. It didn’t take him long to showcase the flair, the creativity and the energy needed to chase the right shots. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

As a regular watcher of racing from all parts of Australia I’ve heard Tony Wode calling the Townsville meetings many times. I’ve been a fan since I first heard his clear, concise race calls. (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)

It was Coffs Harbour based jockey Jon Grisedale who alerted me to the fact that Trevor Hardy was getting close to retirement. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Whenever Ken Callaughan brought a horse to town from his country base, bookies were wary, and punters had a very good look at the animal’s credentials.

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)

Great to catch up with respected Dubbo trainer Peter Nestor who’s back in town training a small team of horses after a four year break from racing. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)