Episode 245: Cyril Small

Great to catch up with Queensland’s second oldest active jockey. He’s not long back from a nasty shoulder injury that should have finished his career, but Cyril Small has no intention of stopping. He talks of his ambition to chalk up 50 years as a jockey. Cyril talks of the wonderful support of the trainer who tried to put him on a first up winner at Gatton recently. They ran second. The veteran jockey talks of the simple trackwork accident last October that put him out for 11 months. Cyril talks of his early days in Casino(NSW) and his indentureship to a local trainer. He reflects on his very first win at Casino. He’s never forgotten his first city win and another one shortly afterwards which was the medium of a solid betting plunge. Cyril spent the second half of his apprenticeship in the city with Jim Marshall. Once he moved to town opportunities came from leading trainers. The evergreen jockey pays tribute to his once in a lifetime horse. Cyril won 22 races on the freakish galloper Vo Rogue including 6 Gr 1’s. Several of Vo’s wins in the 80’s and 90’s came in races that were not classified as Gr 1’s in that era. He looks back on some of his most cherished wins on the champion, and tells one funny story about an ice cream vendor who had a penchant for telling fibs. Cyril talks of the retirement home he provided for Vo Rogue when the champion’s racing days were over. He reflects on his association with Vo Rogue’s trainer Vic Rail whose methods could be unconventional at times. Cyril pays a special tribute to his devoted wife Lynlea and the distinguished University degree she attained recently. He praises her ability to train racehorses. He brings us up to date on the progress of sons Braidon and Daniel who work in the racing industry. The jockey looks back on the worst fall of his career in 2002. He suffered multiple injuries in a Gold Coast pile up, but it hasn’t stopped him chasing that elusive 50 year dream. Cyril talks of his great delight when invited to ride out of Queensland. He’d go to the North Pole if they wanted him for an invitation race. He pays tribute to Queensland’s oldest jockey who’s still riding winners at Mt Isa and other meetings in the district. It’s an enjoyable chat with the man who rode to glory on the back of the unforgettable Vo Rogue.