Episode 203: Grant Buckley

Great to catch up with one of the hardest working jockeys in Australian racing. Much to his frustration, Grant is currently on the sidelines with a broken collarbone. He has an update on his likely return date. He talks of the fall on March 31st which came at a time when he was enjoying a winning run. Grant discusses the amazing statistics he’s accumulated in the last twenty years as provincial and country jockey. He pays tribute to his father Clarrie Buckley who enjoyed Group 1 success in the 1960’s and 70’s. He highlights some of the good horses his Dad got to ride. Grant talks of his early days as an apprentice in the Hawkesbury precinct and the trainers who supported him. He’s never forgotten his first winning ride on the Gary White trained Impossible Mission. He pays tribute to Paul Cave, the trainer who gave him some opportunities on better class horses. Grant looks back on his fleeting association with the brilliant mare Private Steer- a three time Gr 1 winner. He looks back on his transition to the provincial and country tracks which have become his life. Grant pays tribute to his wife Chantelle, a former jockey and trackwork rider for Godolphin’s Agnes Banks operation. He talks of Chantelle’s strong racing background. He looks back on no less than nineteen race falls- not so bad when you consider the massive number of rides he’s had. Grant outlines his association with the Godolphin operation at Newcastle and Kembla Saturday meetings.