I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Phillip Stokes so we did the next best thing and chatted on the podcast. The trainer talks of his runners in two states last Saturday. No winners but a few super efforts. (click on image for more photos.)

In part 2 Gary talks of stable favourites Single Bullet and Testashadow. He tells the story of the $20,000 yearling who gave him victory in the Golden Slipper of 2017. He was thrilled to win for a large group of owners who’d been brought together by Darby Racing. (click image for more photos)

In part one Gary talks of the job offer which brought him to Sydney. He was invited to train privately for a high profile owner who pulled out of the arrangement three months later. (click image for more photos)

In Part 2 Mark remembers his very first winner - a speed machine called Tudor Vain. Ray Guy also provided his first city winner. Mark pays tribute to his role models from the riding ranks in the 1970’s. (click image for more photos)

In Part 1 Mark de Montfort outlines his current training situation at Warwick Farm. He rarely works more than half a dozen horses and takes them where they are best suited. (click on image for more photos)

In part 2 the legendary trainer pays tribute to his all time favourite Emancipation, winner of 19 races. He draws comparisons with Sunline and Winx. (click on image for more photos)

In Part 1 the veteran horseman talks of his interest in thoroughbred breeding and his current involvement with Written By’s new life at the famous Widden Stud. (click on image for more photos)

Greg begins by talking about his dream horse Pierata and the proposed stud venture which seemed likely to terminate the stallion’s racing career. He talks of the surprise decision to put him back into work.

Clare Cunningham talks of her happy childhood on a Bairnsdale property and her earliest involvement with horses. She pays tribute to her parents Daniel and Julie who taught her the basics of horse management.

In this segment the gentleman trainer Colin Alderson, pays tribute to his horse of a lifetime Sky Heights who won $4.2 million dollars in prize money.

Colin recalls his aspirations to become a jockey and his brief experience at the Drouin picnic races. He remembers with affection a mare called Byam Rose who launched his career as a trainer.

Great to catch up with respected trainer Richard Jolly who talks of his newly formed training partnership with daughter Chantelle. He discusses the parlous state of prize money levels in South Australia and the exodus of trainers to other states.

Thirty year old Victorian Mitchell Beer reveals that he didn’t want to be in racing when it was time to look at career options - he chose a golf apprenticeship.

Barry Baldwin’s racing life began as an apprentice jockey at Roma in Queensland. He rode a few winners, but by age 18 couldn’t ride under 57kgs.

Always great to catch up with a “bush” trainer and this week it’s Port Macquarie’s Jenny Graham who talks about her current star galloper Victorem.

In Part 2 of the podcast Colin reflects on Group 1 wins by Ista Kareem and Blutigeroo - two horses he got second hand. He talks about the prospects of some of his current team including the headstrong Vassilator who beat all but The Autumn Sun in last year’s Caulfield Guineas.

In Part 1 trainer Colin Little talks about the shock he received to learn that Caulfield will close as a training base in 2023. He talks of his early life riding ponies on the racecourse and his short career as an apprentice jockey.

New Zealand has long been the breeding ground of great horses and great horsemen. On behalf of HRNSW we catch up with champion Kiwi harness trainer/driver Colin de Fillipe.

In this segment of our two part podcast, Danny Williams talks about the job offer that changed his life. He was invited to become private trainer for former Wallaby and Eastern Suburbs League star Alan Cardy.

In our two part podcast it is great to catch up with Danny Williams, a familiar character on racetracks with his trademark stetson. Danny, a son of former respected bush jockey Harry Williams, had a spectacular career as an amateur rider and a successful transition to the pro ranks.