Episode 251: Dennis Wilson

A special podcast with veteran harness horseman Dennis Wilson who’s about to celebrate his 70th birthday. Dennis talks about the knee and hip replacement that put him back on his feet. He explains that he’s not out of the woods yet. He remembers his decision to quit race driving in 2006 when he became disillusioned with the sport. Dennis fondly recalls the glory days at Harold Park. He talks about the handful of drives he had when the action moved from Harold Park to Menangle. Dennis remembers his earliest days working horses at Granville Showground and his apprenticeship to Katoomba trainer Stan Bond. He recalls the thrill of his first winning drive at Maitland in the late 1960’s. Dennis reviews the achievements of the special horses he got to train and drive during his rewarding career. He makes special mention of Soky’s Gidget- a horse that could have been the best he ever trained until injury ended his career. Dennis looks back on the controversial photo finish that went against him in the 2000 Miracle Mile. He talks of the sensational objection lodged by the horse’s owner.  The veteran horseman pays a touching tribute to the driver he most admired in his early years.