Episode 156: Christian Reith

The talented jockey talks of his busy life and the arduous travelling he does to attend country and provincial meetings. Christian talks of school days in Queensland and the unlikely subject he took a liking to. He talks of his apprenticeship to the man destined to become his father in law. He looks back on an accident that could have finished his career before it started. Christian talks of his very first race ride, and the thrill of his first win. The popular jockey reveals that he was diagnosed with depression as a teenager. Christian talks with total honesty about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction. He reflects on an offer to become stable jockey for Graham Rogerson at Randwick. The winners continued to flow despite his emotional problems. The jockey looks back on his nervous breakdown and months of rehabilitation. He talks of the moment he knew he wanted to ride again. Christian recalls his return to Sydney and the resurgence of his career with the support of many trainers. He pays tribute to the best horses he’s ridden. There’s one in particular for whom he has high praise. Christian talks of the two most important people in his life, wife Bettina and daughter Scarlett who’s showing great promise as a dancer.