Ron Dufficy’s reputation as an astute judge of racehorses evolved very early in his apprenticeship to Bart Cummings. It wasn’t long before Randwick trainers like Tommy Smith were chasing the young jockey to ride some high profile horses in trackwork. “Duff” rode Kingston Town on a few occasions, and partnered Red Anchor in many gallops. When a nagging shoulder injury forced him out of the saddle in 1988, Ron was left unsure about his future career direction. It was Ray Warren who encouraged him to do a regular Saturday morning spot on 2KY, and the rest is history. Ron kicked off by tipping the Doncaster winner Lygon Arms at 40/1, and has been a favourite with punters ever since.
The 63 year old took time out from his busy work schedule last week to join me on the podcast. He talks about a normal working week in the life of a racing form analyst.
Ron looks back on the days when punters had nowhere near the amount of information they enjoy in the modern era.
He summarises his radio commitments for the week and talks about the Sunday morning TV programme he co-hosts with good friends Greg Radley and Corey Brown.
The former jockey pays tribute to his long time mentor Graham McNeice who passed away exactly twelve months ago.
Ron looks at the newspaper facet of his media career.
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He talks about his early education at James Cook High School at Kogarah. Despite some encouraging work in the class room, he decided to quit school at age fourteen.
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Ron remembers his grandfather Ron and father Maurice who were both involved in off course betting, still rife in the 1960’s. He was taking phone bets for his father from age seven.
He looks back on his first taste of stable life with Canterbury trainer Dennis Maynard.
Ron reminisces about the early days of his apprenticeship to Bart Cummings.
He’s never forgotten the thrill of his first winning ride at Nowra in 1979. Strangely enough memories of his first city win are slightly blurred.
Ron remembers the disruption at Leilani Lodge when the Bart Cummings trained Lloyd Boy returned a positive swab after winning the Carlyon Cup in Melbourne. Cummings incurred a three months ban, and Mal Barnes was appointed as caretaker trainer.
“Duff” talks about the transfer of his indentures to Barnes when Bart Cummings returned to training. He has nothing but praise for Barnes who was already a recognised tutor of apprentice jockeys.
Ron remembers his best ever day as a professional jockey- a winning treble at Rosehill with two close seconds on the same programme.
He remembers a Gr 1 ride in Perth on the Mal Barnes trained Tsar Royal.
Ron looks back on a thrilling Black Opal win on the curiously named Beans for Mal Barnes and owner John Singleton. He and a fellow apprentice actually floated the filly to Canberra.
Overnight rain dimmed Ron’s confidence in the filly’s chances, and he advised “Singo” to reduce his bet. The advertising guru was delighted nevertheless, when Beans scored an easy win.
Ron looks back on the reputation he developed as an astute judge of trackwork and race form.
The former jockey talks of a long association with Tommy Smith and pays tribute to two high profile horses he got to ride in trackwork.
He remembers a stakes winner he rode for Smith in 1986. He was surprised when given the ride.
Ron looks back on his stint as a jockey manager, and the shock decision by stewards to stand him down for what they perceived as a conflict of interest.
Ron Dufficy is one of the great success stories in the Australian racing media. He shares that story with us on this week’s podcast.
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Episode 543: Kevin Moses
I’ve all but lost count of the number of requests we’ve received for an interview with Kevin Moses. The most recent enquiry came from a regular podcast listener at a Sydney RSL Club. He was surprised to learn we’d spoken to the former jockey/trainer as far back as January 2020. At the time Kevin was training only one horse, and actually relinquished his licence a year later. The time is right to dust off that 2020 interview and give it another run on our regular podcast. Kevin’s riding career brought 2300 winners including 22 Gr 1’s. He drifted into training initially to fill in time, but politely reeled off 364 wins including the Gr 1 Sydney Cup. Obviously one or two answers are now dated but in the main the interview could have been recorded yesterday. Kevin begins by recalling his entry into stable life.
He says he was keen to continue riding trackwork after launching his training career.
Kevin looks back on the shock positive swab that turned his training operation upside down in 2015.
He looks back on his very first training win with Comhere in 2002. He couldn’t believe it had happened on a metropolitan track. The horse had been sent to him by Gold Coast trainer Alan Bailey.
Kevin says he learned many aspects of the training craft from Neville Begg with whom he spent his entire apprenticeship.
He looks back on some of the horses to establish him among the Sydney training ranks. He makes special mention of No Wine No Song, the horse to provide him with a Gr 1 success.
Kevin acknowledges the assistance he received from son Shane who rode work most mornings alongside his father.
He acknowledges the tremendous support of wife Jenny as a trackwork rider, stable foreperson and office administrator.
Kevin speaks affectionately of daughter Tanya, son Darren and an increasing number of grandchildren.
The top all round horseman makes the amazing confession that he was terrified of horses when he first joined the Begg stable.
He looks back on two brief working stints before he became an apprentice jockey.
Kevin talks about his experience as a boxer in a “paperweight” division.
He says he took forever to get going in the Sydney riding ranks, and pays tribute to the two men who helped get him on his feet.
Kevin has never forgotten his first city treble.
The triple premiership winner remembers a Doncaster win on Authentic Heir for Tommy Smith in 1976.
Moses didn’t know he was on Dark Eclipse in the 1980 Golden Slipper until the “eleventh hour”. In his heart he thought the filly had a great chance.
The former jockey/trainer treasures the memory of his one and only ride on champion Emancipation. He was sent to Melbourne by Neville Begg to ride the grey mare in the Edward Manifold when Ron Quinton elected to ride Dalmacia in the Epsom. Both jockeys had reason to smile.
Kev reflects on his great association with Lord Hybrow trained by expat Kiwi Neville McBurney.
He was thrilled to win the 1994 Stradbroke Hcp on foolproof racehorse All Our Mob.
Kevin remembers lightly framed mare Palace Revolt who had a curious record- 44 starts for just two wins. One of those wins was the Gr 1 Sydney Cup on a “bottomless” track.
He devotes plenty of time to reminiscing about the remarkable horse Stylish Century. He won a Victoria Derby and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the gallant little stallion as well as going very close in a W.S Cox Plate.
Moses reflects on his four memorable seasons in Ireland riding for highly respected trainer Ted Curtin. He shares a humorous story about a ride in the famous Ascot Gold Cup when he was offered tuition during the race by the legendary Willie Carson.
He speaks openly about the infamous “Jockey Tapes Scandal” of 1996 when he was one of three jockeys to be given hefty disqualifications.
Kevin looks back on the three consecutive Sydney jockey’s titles that brought him a total of 301 winners and one dead heat.
He reveals the names of the three jockeys he admired most. One of them had an amazing talent unrelated to riding racehorses.
At the time we spoke to Kevin Moses he’d been in the racing industry for a total of 50 years. No wonder he had so many great yarns to share.
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Episode 542: Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce quickly made his mark after joining the Queensland training ranks in 2022. The NZ born 35 year old didn’t even contemplate applying for a trainer’s licence until he felt good and ready for the task at hand. Despite being the holder of two notable University degrees, Jack made up his mind early in life that horse training was his ultimate goal. He had early experience at Windsor Park Stud before gaining selection for the Godolphin Flying Start programme. He worked under a succession of leading trainers in his early years- Mike De Kock, John O’Shea, Bjorn Baker, Chris Waller and Maher/Eustace all contributed to his education. He started with only seven horses at Deagon on Brisbane’s outskirts but quickly made a statement. Today he’s working over 60 horses from stables at Deagon and on the Sunny Coast. Jack joins us on the podcast to talk about his exciting journey from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch to the professional training scene in Brisbane. He talks about the benefits of his University studies in managing a big racing operation.
Jack talks about the routine he follows in running a dual stable operation.
The trainer acknowledges the contribution of partner Lauren who plays a significant role behind the scenes.
Jack takes us back to childhood days in Hamilton (NZ) where his parents owned a lifestyle farm.
He talks of his father’s connection to harness horses.
He explains that his University studies were completed over two phases.
Jack talks of work experience at the famous Windsor Park Stud. He talks about some of the stallions who were in residence during his time on the property.
He talks about the thrill of gaining entry to the Godolphin Flying Start initiative which provided two years of invaluable experience. His first assignment was in Dubai with a legendary trainer.
During his stay in Dubai, Jack met a young South African jockey whose career had begun in England. Later he got the opportunity to go to Dubai as a resident work rider for De Kock. It wouldn’t be the last time he crossed paths with Jean Van Overmeire.
Jack looks back on his first posting back home- a rewarding stint with John O’Shea who’d just taken over as Godolphin’s head trainer.
He looks back on a four year working stint as Racing Manager for Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm.
Jack reflects on an invaluable twelve months with the Chris Waller operation. He assisted Waller’s Racing Manager Charlie Duckworth.
Then came a massive step up when appointed Manager of Ciaron Maher’s 60 horse Warwick Farm barn. Jack was gobsmacked.
When he felt fully prepared to launch his own brand, Jack settled on Queensland as the most suitable venue. He talks about his low key start at Deagon.
The trainer talks about his reason for launching a second stable on the Sunny Coast.
Jack gives a special mention to the horse who provided his first win as a solo trainer.
He talks of a resolve to source tried horses from other stables. One of the earliest acquisitions, a horse called Axe gave him a stakes win at Toowoomba.
Jack acknowledges several other “second hand” horses who’ve helped get his career up and running.
He talks of three very successful seasons since becoming a trainer in Queensland.
Jack pays tribute to the jockeys who’ve helped him to 185 wins in just three years.
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Episode 541: Mack Griffith
Mack Griffith has long been regarded as one of the most astute country based trainers in the state. He learned the trade from his late father John before taking out his own licence on the occasion of his 18th birthday. Mack joined an elite group when he won with his very first starter Acacia Ridge at Quirindi and has maintained an excellent strike rate ever since. He took a long break from racehorse training to manage Gooree Stud’s spelling and pre-training division at Mudgee, a role he filled for close to a decade. When Gooree ceased operations in 2020, Mack decided to stay in the district and is currently training a 15 horse team at the Mudgee racecourse. The 55 year old joins us on the podcast to look back on his life in racing. He begins by explaining the origins of his unusual christian name.
Mack talks of his 25 acre farm on the outskirts of Mudgee where his horses spend a lot of time.
He talks of a recent trip to the Mackay Cup carnival with two members of his 15 horse team Aimpoint and Amicus Curiae. Neither won but both covered expenses with minor placings.
Mack takes us right back to the early 70’s when his father landed a new job on a northern territory cattle station. It wasn’t long before John Griffith was training a handful of gallopers. Griffith Snr was thrilled to win the 1974 Darwin Cup with Chatelle.
Just a few months after Chatelle’s win Darwin was devastated by the ravages of Cyclone Tracey. As the city got back on its feet, the Darwin Turf Club launched a huge drive to regenerate racing at Fannie Bay. Trainers were encouraged to return to the top end, and John Griffith was one of the first to respond. Mack looks back on his time in Darwin.
The trainer reflects on his dad’s later move to northern Queensland where he built a strong reputation as a trainer.
Fast forward to the mid 1980’s and Mack looks back on a valuable six months with Brian Mayfield- Smith around the time he deposed Tommy Smith as Sydney’s premier trainer.
He remembers his father’s passing in 1995, and the twenty horse team he and brother Luke inherited. Many of the stable clients opted to support the young horsemen.
Mack hasn’t forgotten the thrill of winning with his very first runner at Quirindi. He had to endure the pressure of a protest.
The trainer looks back on his first city win at Canterbury and the pressure of yet another protest.
Griffith lights up as he talks about one of his all time favourites Dancing Sun. The genuine stallion won a string of country Cups and took his young trainer to Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day 1996.
He acknowledges the consistency of family horse Mach ‘N’ Me.
Outback Club gets an honourable mention from the trainer.
Mach talks of prolific winner Binalong Road. He recalls a win in a Country Championship Qualifier at Bathurst with Hugh Bowman on board.
The trainer looks back on a seven win streak with Pera Pera in the Gooree Stud colours.
Mach sings the praises of current star Compelling Truth, already the winner of $578,000. He has a high opinion of the horse.
He remembers the fateful night when he met a charming American girl in a Scone pub. After a whirlwind romance the pair were married in Las Vegas. They are now the proud parents of two daughters and a son.
Mack goes back to 2012 when he spotted an advertisement calling for expressions of interest in the role of spelling and pre-training manager at the famous Gooree Stud. He was destined to spend a decade in the job.
He tells the story of Gooree’s state of the art training track which once brought James Cummings to the property with twenty horses during a wet spell in Sydney.
Mack says the magnificent Gooree property is currently unused as its fate is determined.
He pays tribute to some of his favourite “go-to” jockeys.
It’s a laid back chat with a highly respected bush trainer who’s crammed a lot into his fifty five years.
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Episode 540: David McColm - Kosciuszko winning trainer relocates to the Gold Coast
David McColm’s handling of media commitments after the 2024 Kosciuszko won him many friends. It was well documented that his talented horse Far Too Easy had endured several setbacks over the previous couple of years and public interest was high. All David wanted to do in post race interviews was deflect the credit to others. The enormity of the moment triggered unbridled emotion in the former apprentice jockey who’s now approaching forty years as a professional horse trainer. I’ve been looking forward to having David McColm on the podcast, and we’ve finally pinned him down for a chat. He says stable star Far Too Easy will return to the stable next month after the longest break of his career.
David looks back on two uncharacteristically disappointing runs during the Brisbane carnival.
The trainer takes us back to the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale and the input of his teenage son Archie.
David says the journey with Far Too Easy has been better for the presence of close friends in the ownership.
He says ongoing foot issues with Far Too Easy have tested his resolve.
Dave looks back on the gelding’s first two wins with the late Chris Caserta in the saddle. Only eight months later the young jockey lost his life in a freak accident.
He reflects on the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas when Craig Williams rode the horse for the first time.
David recalls Far Too Easy’s impressive win in the Country Championship Qualifier at Grafton.
He looks back on the horror of the 2022 flood which impacted Far Too Easy and ten other horses. Racing NSW assisted with the remainder of the gelding’s Country Championship preparation.
The trainer remembers the Championship Final on a very heavy track with J. Mac in the saddle.
David looks back on the first of Far Too Easy’s three Kosciuszko attempts and the worrying skin rash that impeded his preparation.
He reflects on the horse’s first clash with arch rival Front Page.
McColm talks about another Kosciuszko in 2023. This time he had to settle for third as Front Page prevailed again.
The trainer says he carefully planned Far Too Easy’s path to the next edition of the Kosciuszko. The horse raced only three times in between.
David was buoyed by Craig Williams’ decision to fly to the Gold Coast for a barrier trial eleven days before the big race.
He reviews the race and the emotional aftermath.
The experienced horseman takes us back to his days as an apprentice jockey with Reg Powell at Werris Creek and pays tribute to a later tutor at Ipswich.
He hasn’t forgotten the thrill of his first win as a professional jockey.
David acknowledges some special horses to help him along the way.
He talks of son Archie’s official transition to stable apprentice, and gives a shout out to younger brother Max.
Mrs. Judy McColm plays a huge part in the operation of the stable, and receives the recognition she deserves.
He makes special mention of his older family from a previous marriage.
Dave looks back on a serious illness that halted his career for a couple of years.
He pays tribute to a handful of jockeys who’ve rendered great service over the years.
The trainer talks of his recent relocation to the Gold Coast.
This is a laid back chat with a bush horseman who was able to guide Far Too Easy through some turbulent times to win a $2 million dollar race at Royal Randwick.
New Zealand