Episode 220: Josh Parr

Josh recalls those frightening moments when he lost the strength in his left arm after passing the post on a winner at Warwick Farm in May. He talks of the extensive tests the following day which revealed a rare condition called Brachial Neuritis. The jockey explains that he’s not a good patient when injury keeps him out of the saddle for any length of time. Josh talks of the added problem created by increasing weight during long layoffs. He’s well known for his unabashed reaction when he wins a big race. He explains why he was more animated than usual when he won the Randwick Guineas on Shadow Hero earlier this year. Josh talks of his disappointment when Shadow Hero was sold to Hong Kong recently. He says he was equally disappointed when Nakeeta Jane broke down last year. The popular jockey looks back on early days at the races with his jockey father Steve Parr. He admits he missed a few days at school. Josh reflects on his teenage hero worship of champion jockey Damien Oliver. He looks back on the three phases of his apprenticeship with Kylie Gavenlock, Gai Waterhouse and Peter Snowden. Josh recounts the thrill of winning his first Group 1 on the Snowden trained Skilled in the 2010 Champagne Stakes. He looks back on Group 1 wins on Hampton Court for the Waterhouse stable in the Spring Champion Stakes, and Shoals in the Surround Stakes for Anthony Freedman. Josh enjoyed his brief association with Castelvecchio. He still talks about the colt’s amazing first start win at a Canterbury night meeting at odds of $61.00. He says Castelvecchio had the Champagne Stakes won from the moment he left the barrier. The jockey reflects on the disappointment of Menari’s breakdown. He believes the stallion had a bright future. He looks back on a milestone 5 win haul at a Wyong meeting earlier this year. He makes special mention of the stunning chestnut Every Rose, winner of last year’s Gimcrack Stakes. He’s expecting the filly to regain her early form.