When Simon Marshall was booting home Gr 1 winners at the rate of knots he was lauded by experts as one of Australia’s best jockeys. Behind the scenes he was jeopardising his health to stay in the game he loved. Simon’s worst fears were realised in the Caulfield jockey’s room one day in 1997 when he collapsed following a long session in the sauna. He heeded the advice of specialists and retired immediately. Over the next five years he made his mark in racing media but the urge to give race riding one more shot never left him. He discusses that comeback and many other aspects of a fascinating career on this week’s podcast. He tells the story in his usual entertaining style beginning with a summary of his current involvement in three popular Racing.com programmes.

Simon talks about his long time ambassadorial role with Sportsbet.

The former ace jockey talks about parents Len and Gael and siblings Grant and Trent. He looks back on his father’s successful riding career with special emphasis on 1977 Golden Slipper runner-up Lloyd Boy.

Simon mentions a few more of Len’s favourite horses and talks about the veteran’s ability as a maintenance man.

He says Len later became a trainer at Cranbourne and was the obvious choice to sign him up as an apprentice. He greatly valued his dad’s tutorship.

Marshall looks back on his first win, first metro success and the magical experience of his first Gr 1 win at just 16 years of age.

The former brilliant jockey added another 14 Gr 1’s to his tally before quitting for good in 2005. He looks back on some wonderful horses with special mention of his all time favourite Durbridge.

Simon speaks with great reverence of the dashing sprinter Hareeba. He says the gelding’s win in the Gr 1 Australia Stakes was off the charts.

To this day Simon rues a lost opportunity on Better Loosen Up in the 1992 W.S Cox Plate.

He acknowledges the talents of several other topliners he was privileged to ride.

The former top jockey looks back on his torturous battle with weight

He reflects on the blackout he suffered in the Caulfield jockey’s room in 1997. He knew he’d come to the end of his riding career- at least for the time being.

Simon looks back on his association with triple world boxing champion Jeff Fenech who helped him with a change of routine. Was that before the first retirement.

Fast forward to 2002. Simon had been away from racing for five years but the bug hadn’t left him. With the help of a biochemist he dropped dramatically in weight and made a brief comeback. He still had the magic touch.

The 55 year old says he received a lot of support from Melbourne racing media following his permanent retirement in 2005. He became a favourite with punters on radio and television. He fondly recalls a long association with the Seven Network which led him to a spot on the equestrian commentary team at the Beijing Olympics.

He fondly recalls his association with Bruce McAvaney and the team on several Ch 7 Melbourne Cup broadcasts.

He talks about another role away from the media. Simon tells us more about his tutorship of three very high profile jockeys.

He rounds off our podcast with a special shoutout to son Ethan, daughter Shugar Bella and partner Marie.

This is Simon Marshall at his witty and humorous best.

To mark our 600th podcast post I’m delighted to welcome my former colleague and long time friend, the one and only Ken Callander. Now in retirement at a very sprightly 81, Ken is no longer a regular at the track but continues to observe every development in the industry and nobody watches more races on television than this eagle eyed racing tragic.

What a career he had! Journalist, radio and TV presenter, punter, bookmaker, and racehorse owner. A unique style and a big personality endeared Ken to punters and racing fans all over Australia.

He never lost touch with his humble start in life and he’s the same bloke today that he was more than seventy years ago when he was a regular visitor to his Aunt Bertha’s SP Betting Shop.

Kenny begins by talking about his current role as an armchair jockey.

He responds to the special honour of having a feature Randwick race named after himself and colleague Max Presnell.

Ken takes us back to childhood days when he was introduced to the “buzz” of an inner Sydney SP betting shop.

The veteran says he became skilled at an early age in several popular card games.

Ken says his mother Anne loved a day at the races and couldn’t resist a poker machine.

The veteran says he went very close to being given a different christian name.

He talks of his love of a game of “Two-Up” at a time when Sydney boasted a large number of venues.

Our special podcast guest says he was born totally deaf in the right ear. He didn’t check again until age 50 when it cost a “wad” to find out nothing had changed.

Ken looks back on courting days with his bride-to-be Helen Breen.

He talks of the day in 1962 when he walked into the Daily Mirror office and was hired as a copy boy.

The popular racing identity pays tribute to some of the legendary racing writers he got to work with.

Ken says he was humbled to be appointed Editor of the historic form publication Sportsman. He was in the job for several years.

He clearly remembers the brief appearance on Ch 9’s Wide World Of Sports which would kick start his great media career.

Ken says he enjoyed radio more than any other media involvement.

He looks back on an unusual association with Kerry Packer. The “punt loving” mogul almost got Ken into hot water on one occasion.

Ken says his bookmaking career began on the provincial circuit.

He pays tribute to two special people who had a huge impact on his media career.

Ken looks back on the tragic premature passing of son Matthew, a victim of brain cancer in 2017.

He acknowledges the achievements of sons David, Richard and Steve.

Kenny talks of the invasive facial tumour which gave him some anxious months in 2022.

The affable racing identity speaks of his favourite racing writers, bookmakers and punters.

There was a time when Ken rated Darren Beadman the best jockey he’d seen since George Moore. Let’s find out if that still applies.

His choice of all time favourite horse might surprise a few.

This is a very special podcast episode for me. The man I’m interviewing is every bit as special.

A laid back chat with an iconic racing personality.

A history making feat by Angela Jones to win the 2024/2025 Brisbane jockey’s premiership has been a source of inspiration to female riders around the nation. Twenty year old Bella Youngberry created her own little piece of history last season by becoming the first female rider to win both the junior and senior Gold Coast premierships. She has carried the momentum into the new season, and is currently a handful of wins in front of Ben Thompson on the Brisbane metro ladder. Bella’s story is similar to that of many female jockeys in Australia- pony club, show ring and a gradual transition to riding trackwork. Initially apprenticed to Allan Chau, Bella subsequently spent time on loan-outs to Mel and Billy Johnson at Barcaldine, and Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour. She’s currently back on the Gold Coast with Adam Campton who supports her well, as do an increasing number of Brisbane metro trainers. It’s a delight to welcome Bella Youngberry to this week’s podcast. She begins by talking about the short suspension she’s currently serving.

Bella still can’t believe she was a dual premiership winner last season and is excited to be a front runner on the metro ladder in the early part of the current term.

The young jockey is acutely aware things will get tougher when her city and provincial claims dry up.

Bella pays tribute to her father Garry Youngberry, one of the most familiar faces on Queensland television. Garry has been totally supportive from the moment he identified his daughter’s passion for thoroughbreds.

She talks of her only sibling brother Marcus who to this point in time has concentrated on another form of horse power.

Bella talks about the 50 acre property outside Brisbane where a quarter horse mare first triggered the adrenaline rush only a full stretch gallop can bring to a budding jockey. She also pays tribute to an off-track racehorse who quickly mastered the show jumping art.

She clearly remembers the moment she announced her intention to enter the racing industry. Her plan was to finish her education online while she learned the fundamentals in a Sunny Coast racing stable. Garry Youngberry was taken aback at first.

Bella says she was hooked on race riding from her very first track gallop for trainer Darryl Hansen.

The twenty year old looks back on her initial indentureship to former successful jockey Allan Chau on the Gold Coast. She vividly recalls her first race ride at Gympie and, and the thrill of her first win at Thangool in the Burnett River country.

Bella says her regular trips to country tracks brought her to the notice of Barcaldine trainer Billy Johnson who offered her a “loan-out” opportunity. She jumped at the chance. She says the experience of riding on bush tracks against seasoned bush jockeys was a great learning curve.

Bella says she’d no sooner arrived back at the Chau stables when another opportunity arose with Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour. She looks back on the next few months as the most valuable of her career so far.

She pays tribute to current master Adam Campton who’s made quite a statement since joining the Gold Coast training ranks just over four years ago.

Bella talks about the highlights of her recent winning trot on city tracks including two Doomben trebles.

She acknowledges the influence of trailblazing jockey Angela Jones.

This is a laid back chat with a young lady whose emergence in Queensland racing has been spectacular. Good times ahead for Bella Youngberry.