Episode 181: Jonathan D'Arcy

Jonathan  talks of his youth in Queensland as the son of one of Australia’s first female tipsters. He was always with his mother Jill in the 4BC studios where she was a regular on a Friday night racing programme. He reflects on his job as race day assistant to the great caller Vince Curry at tracks like Gatton, Kilcoy and Beaudesert. Jonathan reflects on two happy experiences at Queensland’s Coolbadah Stud, and Joe Manning’s “ Woodburn” property at Cootamundra. He takes us through his time at Glenormiston College in Victoria, and the work experience stint destined to change his life. He previews the famous Classic Sale which starts this year’s round of Inglis Sales for 2020. It gets under way on Sunday Feb 9th. Jonathan looks back on two disasters to occur during his time with the company- the collapse of the Cups King Syndicates in 1989, and the unthinkable botulism outbreak during the 1993 Easter Sale. He outlines the background of these low points in the history of Inglis. The Inglis stalwart looks back on some of the most memorable horses he’s knocked down during his auctioneering career. He remembers another very famous one he had to pass in. Of all the great sales with which Jonathan has been associated the 2008 Easter sale is the one he remembers best. He explains why it was so significant. Jonathan’s a good listen.