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.

There’s no busier jockey in northern NSW than Wauchope based Luke Rolls. The expat Kiwi drives huge mileage to honour commitments at northern rivers and tablelands tracks. Born and reared in Fielding on New Zealand’s North Island, Luke was initially apprenticed to Bruce Marsh at Foxton. He transferred to a Victorian stable in the early 2000’s and his subsequent journey has produced an impressive tally of more than 760 winners. Luke begins our chat by talking about his move to the NSW mid north coast with Cassie Schmidt, the lady destined to become his wife. He says hard work was the only way to go in the first few years.

The jockey takes us through a normal day in his life. Few jockeys ride more trackwork than Luke Rolls.

Luke says he has to keep an eye on the clock when he has commitments at a faraway meeting. The constant travelling is the toughest part of his job.

He acknowledges the ongoing support of a special group of northern trainers.

Luke takes us back to early days on the farm at Fielding NZ. Horse racing wasn’t on his radar.

He admits he was more intent on becoming an All Black than a professional jockey.

Luke looks back on his initial apprenticeship to top trainer Bruce Marsh. He’d never been on a horse.

He looks back on his first race ride. He finished second but says the horse should have won.

Luke hasn’t forgotten his first winning ride. It turned out to be his one and only NZ winner.

He talks of a transfer to a Victorian stable when Bruce Marsh landed a contract to train in Singapore.

The jockey remembers a happy 18 months with Terry O’Sullivan at Stawell and the handful of winners he rode on country tracks.

Luke admits he suddenly lost interest in racing after the Victorian stint. He went to Sydney with mates and landed a job as a welder.

He looks back on a return to NZ and a job with Affco Abbatoirs. That job generated an opportunity to work in rural Queensland which didn’t work out. Next step was another meatworks job on the Gold Coast.

Finally the lure of the thoroughbred prompted him to give riding another crack. A newspaper advertisement led him to a job with a Gold Coast trainer.

Luke was thrilled to win a race at Ballina soon after returning to race riding.

He talks of a tremendous winning run on the Gold Coast which yielded a local apprentices premiership.

Luke remembers a growing interest in his services from Brisbane stables. He’s never forgotten his first trip to the metropolitan winner’s circle. In fact it happened twice on the day.

He talks of the jockey who became a formidable rival on the Gold Coast and of the day he rode the first four winners on the programme.

Luke looks back on his only ride in a Gr 1 race. He was flown to Sydney by Queensland owners to handle a lightweight in The Galaxy of 2009. For one thrilling moment at the 200m he thought the race was in his keeping.

He talks of an Eagle Farm win on a horse destined to win a Gr 1 down the track.

Luke acknowledges the successful riding career of wife Cassie despite a torturous battle with weight. When she opted to relocate from the Gold Coast to her native Wauchope he elected to go with her.

Cassie’s “dream job” came along soon after.

He says nobody was surprised when Cassie decided on a training career. Her first win came not long after gaining her licence and Luke Rolls was the jockey.

Luke talks of his marriage to Cassie and the successful trainer/jockey combination they’ve developed.

It’s a nice chat with a Kiwi born jockey who preferred motor bikes to horses in his early days at Fielding.

We’re approaching the fifth anniversary of one of the most unique race days ever seen in Sydney. Drastic covid protocols saw only jockeys, trainers and a handful of stable staff in attendance to watch the running of the Derby, Doncaster, T.J Smith and Sires Produce Stakes on day 1 of The Championships.. The day belonged to that pizza eating, beer swilling, arrogant mare Nettoyer who came from near last to win the Doncaster for trainer Wendy Roche and jockey James Innes Jnr. Jimmy joins us on the podcast to reminisce about an experience he still describes as surreal.

James talks about his recent move to Canberra and a whole new phase in his career. It’s not the first time he’s had a Canberra connection.

He says the eerie emptiness of Randwick on Doncaster day 2020 didn’t detract from the thrill of winning his first Gr 1.

James credits a well known Sydney trainer for getting him the ride on Nettoyer.

He confirms the many stories that were doing the rounds about the mare’s vile temperament.

The jockey says it took him forever to get her to the mile starting point. A friend who worked on the barriers saved the day.

James takes us through the running of the 2020 Doncaster. He says the mare went from a bolter’s chance at the 800m to a realistic chance on top of the rise.

He says he tried hard to control his emotions on returning to scale, but lost it completely.

The jockey relates a humorous story about father James and mother Julie who watched the race at home.

James Jnr pays a heartfelt tribute to his dad who rode many winners before his retirement in 2007.

He talks about several trainers who contributed to his education along the way.

James reflects on a serious fall at Bathurst which put him out for an extended period. He says it took a long time to get over the accident.

He regards a stint with Keith Dryden during his apprenticeship as a life changer.

James looks back on a bout of depression during his time with the Godolphin operation. He was on the brink of quitting the saddle when he received a timely phone call from Gerald Ryan.

He acknowledges the best horses he got to ride for the Ryan stable. One of them remains his all time favourite.

The jockey has vivid memories of a stakes win for Waterhouse/Bott at Rosehill. He was pleasantly surprised.

James talks affectionately of his young sons Carter and Asher who live in Victoria with their mother Aimee.

He says Canberra is the perfect base for his regular day trips to country venues.

Innes says he’s not as light as he used to be, but lighter than many of his fellow jockeys.

James acknowledges the talents of partner Teaghan Martin who’s had her share of injury in recent times.

It’s an enjoyable chat with a personable young man who’s very good at what he does.

The famous Hoysted racing dynasty had its origins in Victoria early in the twentieth century and has produced generations of successful horse trainers. The most celebrated was Fred Hoysted who won 17 Melbourne premierships from his Mentone base. Like most of his predecessors 33 year old Matthew Hoysted began his journey in Wangaratta, before working under the wing of some top Melbourne horsemen. In 2014 he decided on a move to Queensland when a job came up with Tony Gollan after which he spent eight years in partnership with recently retired Steve O’Dea. Matt went solo just over a year ago, and is already making his presence felt in the Brisbane training ranks. He begins the podcast by talking about his on course stabling at Eagle Farm and the close proximity of his home.

Matt talks about the success he enjoyed on Saturday March 15th- a quinella in the last race at Eagle Farm and a Gold Coast double which included a win with Hearts Are Better in the 3YO Jewel.

He looks back on eighteen rewarding months with Tony Gollan whose star was rising rapidly.

Matt says the offer he received from Steve O’Dea was too good to refuse. He spent four years as O’Dea’s assistant trainer before being promoted to training partner.

He formed an association with Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds during his time with Steve O’Dea and was delighted when Walter agreed to continue that support following O’Dea’s retirement.

One of the best horses Hoysted got to co-train with O’Dea was Scallopini who won 13 races and was placed 14 times. He acknowledges the talents of the genuine galloper.

Matt says he and Steve O’Dea were usually on the same wavelength when it came to planning the campaigns of horses in their care.

He pays a fitting tribute to Uncommon James, the best horse he got to co-train with O’Dea. He looks back on the gelding’s Oakleigh Plate win in 2023 as an almost surreal experience.

Matt says he wasn’t surprised when Steve announced his retirement from the Brisbane training ranks.

The young trainer looks back on early days with the O’Dea stable where he met the girl destined to become his wife and the mother of his two young daughters.

He talks about Caitlin’s pride and joy Pickabee, a daughter of Jet Spur with whom she won five races. Coincidentally, Pickabee would become the dam of Uncommon James.

Matt looks back on his formative years in Wangaratta and early tuition from his father Greg. He also spent some time with another training relative Roger Hoysted.

He puts the spotlight on grandfather Ron (call me Mick) who trained a Gr 1 sprinter in the 1980’s. Another member of the clan to get a mention is Hal Hoysted winner of 25 premierships in north eastern Victoria.

Matt relates the stories he’s heard from family members about Fred “Father” Hoysted, winner of 17 Melbourne premierships between 1933 and 1958.

He talks of the racing blood on the distaff side of his family. His mother Ronda is the daughter of John Hickmott and sister to Robert and Michael- all successful trainers.

Matt takes us back to the early years of his racing education and valuable time spent at Flemington and Macedon Lodge.

He talks of his association with some high profile horses during his time under the Lloyd Williams banner.

He treasures the memory of five years with the late Michael Moroney at Flemington. Matt adds his personal tribute to the many already circulated for the great New Zealand born horseman.

For punters listening to the podcast, Matt pointers a couple of promising horses currently in the stable.

It’s a laid back chat with a young man who has the right pedigree and the right temperament to make it to the top in a very demanding profession.

When Rod Quinn won on Merlin Mustang at Rosehill in 2013 he had no idea it was fated to be his last ride in a race. When he and wife Alannah departed on a European holiday, Rod fully intended to resume riding on returning to Australia. Why that didn’t happen is a story in itself. Rod takes us through a stellar career that began at Nyngan in the far west of NSW destined to take him to the top of his profession. Rod begins by reminiscing about that final ride at Rosehill in 2013.

He explains why he was known as R.M Quinn throughout his forty year career.

Rod talks about his weight gain during the European holiday with wife Alannah. He’d had the problem many times before but on this occasion he couldn’t face the horrors of the sauna.

He remembers the moment when he informed the family of his decision to call time on his riding career.

The former outstanding jockey talks about the home sauna just outside the back door of his Chipping Norton home.

He says most people expected him to gain weight rapidly after retirement. That’s not the way it turned out.

Rod says he received a timely phone call from Maurice Logue on behalf of Racing NSW soon after his retirement. He takes us through a normal day at the races in his role as mentor of apprentices.

He takes us back to early days at Nyngan in western NSW. He remembers grandfather Cy and father Kevin Quinn who had both been jockeys.

Rod talks about his master Ray Burton and fondly recalls his first winning ride way out west at Enngonia.

He looks back on a difficult situation involving his father’s role as a stipendiary steward at western districts meetings. Rod was not allowed to ride at meetings where Kevin Quinn was the sole steward officiating.

The 65 year old says the problem was solved when his master decided to move his team of horses to Warwick Farm. That move turned out to be a life changer for the talented apprentice.

Rod looks back on the huge grey mare who launched his metropolitan career and his near miss in a Sydney apprentice’s premiership.

The former jockey remembers his decision to concentrate on outside Saturday meetings. He soon earned the nickname ‘King of Kembla’.

Rod still can’t believe he rode his first Gr 1 winner at just 48kgs. That luxury didn’t last long.

He looks back on a twenty year association with Ingham’s Crown Lodge empire. He was never the number one stable jockey, but that suited the quiet man of Sydney racing.

Rodney remembers three stakes wins on the quirky Viscount. He clearly remembers a freakish incident towards the finish of the 2001 Champagne Stakes that could have ended in disaster.

He looks back on a quartet of wins on Align for trainer John Hawkes, and an agonisingly close second in a Golden Slipper.

Rod says his George Ryder win on Lord Essex wasn’t a complete surprise, but his Mercedes Classic victory on Curata Storm was the least expected win of his career.

He looks back on the thrill of winning 6 races on champion Lonhro and the disappointment of losing the ride after having been booked for a stakes race.

Rod has fond memories of a BMW win on Grand Zulu for the late Gwenda Markwell. He humbly regards it as perhaps his best Gr 1 ride.

He still marvels at the bizarre circumstances that led him to a winning ride in a Sydney Cup for the Waller stable.

Rod looks back on his final Gr 1 win in 2011.

He talks about a horse who would have risen to much greater heights had he not had an aversion to eating.

Rod says the best thing about retirement is the fact that many niggling aches and pains have disappeared.

He proudly summarises his new role as a grandfather of four.

It’s a lovely trip down memory lane with one of the best riders of his generation.

We’ve had a number of syndication company founders on the podcast over recent years, all sharing stories about their childhood passion for racing. James Moss is no different. His interest in the sport was ignited by trips to the track with his father and grandfather. Further motivated by the deeds of champion mare Sunline, James was completely “hooked” by the time he reached early twenties. Family and friends were not surprised when he launched Tricolours Racing and Syndications in 2016. We talk to James about his subsequent journey. He responds to a high compliment afforded him by one of the company’s trainers.

He talks of a return to equities trading once the company was up and running.

James talks of the family who’ve supported him every step of the way.

The syndicator remembers his late father Jack whose love of the Roosters NRL team inspired the company name and racing colours.

James remembers early days at the track and his fascination with the mighty Kiwi mare Sunline.

He pays tribute to a couple of his favourite jockeys from the era.

James agrees the choice of his second favourite horse might raise an eyebrow or two.

The forty six year old talks about his career in the field of equities trading.

He acknowledges the input of his business partner Paul King and communications and administration assistant Maryanne Sayers.

James remembers the purchase of his very first yearling, an Uncle Mo filly for $50,000 at the 2017 Karaka Sales. Trainer John Sargent was there with him.

The Tricolours founder summarises the purchase and subsequent deeds of the company’s best performers to date.

James says he doesn’t set out to buy fillies but agrees it probably looks that way.

He talks about recent winners Manuscript, The Novelist and The Playwright two geldings and one filly all sired by Written By.

James elaborates on the potential of promising two year olds Autumn Blonde and Artistic Venture.

He talks about his determination to buy at the right price.

Syndication has become a very important component in the burgeoning Australian racing industry. Great to chat with one of its most professional operators.