Episode 595: Tony McEvoy - From a Streaky Bay apprenticeship to a Melbourne Cup triumph with many golden moments in between.

As a youngster Tony McEvoy looked forward to a long career as a jockey. As it turned out he was just 19 when increasing weight put an end to that dream, but not before he’d topped a century of wins. His talents in the saddle and devotion to duty saw him rewarded with two amazing opportunities at Gr 1 level in 1977. Young Mc Evoy rode a copybook race on Deesse to win the South Australian Oaks. He went tantalisingly close to completing the 3YO classic double when So Called went under narrowly to Stormy Rex in the Derby. His training career began under tragic circumstances when appointed head trainer for Lindsay Park following the death of Peter Hayes in a light aircraft crash in 2001.Tony’s subsequent journey has been one of racing’s greatest stories. The master horseman takes us on a sentimental journey on this week’s podcast. He begins by talking about he and son Calvin’s dual operation at Flemington and Ballarat.

Tony looks back on Calvin’s early fascination with racing. He says racehorses dominated his every thought while growing up in the Barossa Valley.

He looks back on early days in Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula and pays tribute to his parents. Mother Connie is still living independently at a remarkable age.

Tony looks back on his first apprenticeship with local trainer Bill Holland. His nephew Kerrin started with the same astute trainer.

He clearly remembers the thrill of his first winning ride at Balaclava on a horse trained by the local race caller.

Tony talks of a transfer to champion trainer Colin Hayes and the highlights of his brief but successful riding career. He looks back on a near miss in attempting the Oaks/Derby double.

He pays tribute to two outstanding mares he got to ride for the Lindsay Park operation.

The veteran horseman speaks affectionately of his personal favourite among the Hayes trained horses.

Tony looks back on his delight when offered a job on the Lindsay Park team following his retirement from race riding.

He reflects on the shock accident that claimed the life of Peter Hayes and the sadness that followed at Lindsay Park. With David Hayes already committed to a Hong Kong contract, Tony was appointed head trainer at the famous Angaston operation.

He was privileged to train the classy Fields Of Omagh during this initial stint, and was thrilled to win the SA Oaks twenty six years after he’d won the race as a jockey.

Tony looks back on the decision by David Hayes in 2010 to move the entire Lindsay Park operation to Victoria. He says he gave strong consideration to remaining on the team but received opposition from daughter Eliza and son Calvin.