Episode 287: John Morrisey

Great to catch up with John Morrisey, one of the most astute trainers of his generation. John talks about the move from Canberra to the Gold Coast which came as a surprise to many. The former trainer talks of his time at the well known Capricorn Park training property near Yass. John takes us back to his childhood on the Northern Rivers and his father’s Ramornie Hcp win with Flecked Marble. He looks back on the thrill of his own Ramornie win many years later. John remembers that Ramornie winner, the talented Kidlat. Morrisey pays tribute to his Gr 1 winners Camarena, Lachlan River and Rockdale with a few good stories along the way. John fondly remembers talented galloper Here’s The Prince who landed a well orchestrated plunge for the stable in the 1995 Villiers. He acknowledges the efforts of Here’s The Point, Digger Stakas, Miss Comanche and Kareden- all great money spinners for the stable. John recounts the story of the day Peter Pascoe arrived with four horses on his truck and told the trainer to see what he could do with them. Two of those horses won 23 races between them. He talks about the immense loyalty he’s had from owners over the years, and talks about his reputation for timing a horse’s preparation to the minute. John is obviously disillusioned about the 9 months disqualification he copped when one of his horses returned a positive result to a cobalt test. His frustration hasn’t subsided. The retired trainer talks about the transition of son Scott into the number one spot. John pays tribute to Kay, his wife of 50 years. They celebrated recently.