For many decades the NSW Riverina has produced an endless list of outstanding trainers and jockeys. One of the latest recruits to hit the headlines on the big stage is young jockey Tyler Schiller who reeled off a couple of Gr 1 wins during the recent Championships. One man to leave his mark as a jockey and trainer is Dave Heywood who retired in 2020 after six decades in the racing industry. As a jockey he rode exclusively in the Riverina and Victoria. Surprisingly he never once got to ride on a Sydney track but he trained numerous winners in the harbour city. Dave Heywood earned the respect of all sections of the industry during 12 years in the saddle and another 48 years as a trainer. The rising 80 year old is in reminiscent mood as he joins us on the podcast.

Dave says he’s blessed with good health.

Right off the top he answers the commonly asked question about his relationship if any to ace jockey Nick Heywood.

Dave says his primary sporting interests these days revolve around the dart board and the pool room.

Few realise Dave was Victorian born. He explains how the family got to settle in the Riverina.

The veteran horseman remembers riding trackwork at age 11 for legendary trainer Bert Honeychurch who became his master.

Dave hasn’t forgotten his very first day as a professional jockey. He greeted the judge twice. He talks about the horses involved.

He still remembers the thrill of riding a winner first up on the historic Flemington course.

Dave looks back on the transfer of his indentures to top Melbourne trainer Brian Courtney.

He realises how lucky he was to pick up a ride in the Melbourne Cup at just 15 years of age. He talks of the horse he rode for an iconic trainer and takes us through the running of the Centenary Melbourne Cup of 1960. One of the runners was Dave’s favourite horse.

He looks back on his association with the man who took Phar Lap to America in 1932.

Dave got to ride the talented Webster in an unsuitable race at Werribee. Although unplaced he still regards the horse as the best he ever rode in a race.

He acknowledges several other talented horses he got to ride during his time in Melbourne. One of them was owned by a Hollywood movie legend.

Dave was back in the Riverina in 1969. His weight was on the rise but he managed to ride for another few years with great success. He’s especially proud of a winning sequence over two days at Benalla.

He explains that he was actually talked into applying for a trainer’s licence.

Dave looks back on his “Indies trilogy”- Prince Of Indies, Pride Of Indies and King Of Indies, three talented horses who won more than 60 races between them.

He pays tribute to his late brother-in-law Russ Milne who owned the Indies trio. He also loved a punt whenever his horses were racing.

Dave is adamant the unsound Shadameneo was the best horse he trained.

The former outstanding horseman pays tribute to the indestructible Green Ridge, veteran of 200 race starts.

He looks back on prolific winners like Vain Alert, Hillston Exchange, Man Of Peace and Living On A Prayer.

This is a long overdue chat with a great competitor and a gentleman of Riverina racing.

Racing has seen few more distinguished careers than the one enjoyed by Ron Quinton over six rewarding decades. His stellar riding career spanned almost thirty years. His successful training career is now in its thirty second year and counting. Ron’s an inductee of the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame and the recipient of a Medal Of The Order Of Australia, fitting acknowledgements of his contribution to Australian racing.

I’ve conducted interviews with Ron Quinton many times over sixty years and there was a comprehensive podcast in 2018, but several recent email requests for an updated version have got us on the job. It’s a pleasure to revisit the career of an iconic Australian horseman. His passion for the game is unwavering. His recall of horses, horsemen and events will take you on a nostalgic journey. Ron admits he’s a disciplined trainer who never takes his eye off the ball.

The seventy seven year old acknowledges the support of long time client Ray Gall who’s rarely without a horse or two in the stable. Ron remembers the first yearling Ray gave him to train. That filly was Mamzelle Pedrille who remains the trainer’s all time favourite.

Ron pays tribute to his first Gr 1 winner. His magic moment came on the opening day of the famous Melbourne Cup carnival in the year 2000.

He looks back on another unforgettable day at Flemington when he won the historic Victoria Oaks with Bulla Borghese- his second Gr 1 as a trainer.

Ron has had a commanding presence in the history of the Coolmore Classic run at Rosehill during the Golden Slipper carnival. He won it twice as a jockey and four times as trainer. He looks back on his quartet of training wins beginning with classy mare Ofcourseican.

He remembers Peeping, Daysee Doom and Dixie Blossoms who all won the high profile race.

The veteran horseman looks back on his association with the respected owner Millie Fox. He was recommended for the job by Brian Mayfield-Smith who’d decided to explore the possibility of becoming a conservationist in South Africa.

Ron looks back on the best of the 95 winners he trained in four years for the universally popular Mrs.Millie Fox.

He pays tribute to the lengthy list of talented junior riders who spent all or part of their apprenticeships under his wing.

Ron looks back on his twenty years as stable jockey for legendary trainer Neville Begg. He speaks of Begg’s affinity with fillies and mares.

He goes back to childhood days at Mendooran in the Central West and early days in the saddle.

Ron pays tribute to his master and mentor Theo Green.

He looks back on a rewarding apprenticeship and the wonderful opportunities afforded him by leading stables.

Ron takes us on a nostalgic journey as he revisits his association with horses like Analie, Bletchingly, Emancipation, Dalmacia, Marscay, Sir Dapper, Rory’s Jester, Marauding, Kingston Town, and Baguette- a true galaxy of stars.

The former great jockey was involved in twelve race falls during three decades in the saddle. When it comes to injury he regards himself as one of the lucky ones.

From the outset of his riding career Ron harboured an ambition to ride overseas. He looks back on three memorable stints with champion Irish trainer John Oxx.

Ron talks of the devastating loss in 2017 of Margaret, his wife of 45 years. His horses helped him through a difficult time.

He talks of children Shawn, Trent and Annabel and of his four grandchildren.

Ron looks at his future direction.

This is a wonderful trip down memory lane with a giant of Australian racing.