Episode 210: Mick Robins

It was a delight to catch up with an elder statesman of the Australian training ranks. Mick Robins is turning 90 in July, but sounds years younger as he takes us on a sentimental journey. Mick talks of his recent stint in hospital after a heavy fall at the Mornington stables of Tony Noonan. The grand old horseman takes us back to his first job as an apprentice butcher in wartime Broken Hill. Mick reflects on his days below the surface of the earth as he helped to mine the silver, zinc and lead that was to bring great prosperity to Broken Hill. He talks of his early attraction to horses and his brief career as an amateur jockey. Mick shares memories of his first trainer’s licence and a horse called Sir Haydon who got him up and running. The veteran recalls his move to Adelaide in the early 1960’s and his dream job with champion trainer Graham Heagney. He spent 8 years with Heagney, who trained the champion Tobin Bronze during that time. Mick reminisces about the lucky break that was destined to change his life. When Graham Heagney decided on a stint in America, Mick inherited 14 of his horses. One of them was the dual Melbourne Cup winner Rain Lover. The former trainer takes us through those two magical Cup wins, and some fascinating stories that revolve around them. Mick remembers some other nice horses he got to train in that exciting era.  He talks of his late wife Valda whose long term illness took them to the warmer climate in WA. Mick pays a special tribute to his great friend Jimmy Johnson who partnered Rain Lover in those two memorable Melbourne Cup victories.