Episode 591: Katelyn McDonald - Former successful race rider, mother of two, television presenter and wife to one of the world’s most in-demand jockeys.

I couldn’t believe Katelyn McDonald had actually found the time to join the podcast until we were five minutes into the interview. As it turned out she took more than an hour out of her hectic schedule to cover a wide range of subjects. From a celebrated family of Victorian jockeys Katelyn Mallyon enjoyed a rewarding eight years in the saddle which brought a string of black type wins including a coveted Gr 1 success. Her life changed direction abruptly in 2017 when she met a talented young NZ jockey at a Melbourne dinner party. Today Mr. and Mrs. James McDonald are the proud parents of two delightful little girls. James works hard to maintain his reputation as one of the world’s most elite riders. His wife works equally as hard in her multifaceted life.

Katelyn begins by talking about her young daughters, Evie almost 4 and Mia who recently turned 2. She pays tribute to her NZ  mother-in-law Diane who now lives in Sydney.

She talks about a  couple of her husband’s habitual idiosyncrasies. She says James thinks of little else but racing while keeping a close watch on his weight.

Katelyn looks back on James’ response when she announced her intention to quit the saddle in 2018.

She talks of her regular involvement with the Ch 7 racing coverage and the opportunity to work with some talented media performers.

Katelyn explains her long time working association with the popular “Punters.com.au” platform.

She looks back on her early aspirations to become a jockey with special mention of the influence of her paternal grandfather Mick Mallyon, one of the most talented riders of his generation. Mick is now 86 and going strongly.

Katelyn outlines the racing backgrounds of her father Brett and mother Mary. She looks back on childhood days at the local pony club.

She talks of her initial apprenticeship to father Brett and a later transfer to the Ellerton/Zarah training partnership. She remembers her very first win, and maiden city success.

The effervescent young mother looks back on an apprentice’s premiership in 2011/2012, the first female to achieve that special milestone.

Late in her premiership winning season Katelyn was involved in the worst fall of her riding career. Despite being sidelined for ten weeks she had a big enough lead to win the junior title. She talks about the thrill of winning a second apprentice’s crown two years later.

She looks back on the achievement that brought one of her greatest racing thrills. With just a few weeks of her apprenticeship remaining, young Ms. Mallyon won on Miss Cooper at Sandown to outride her metropolitan claim.