Episode 292: Brenton Avdulla

Great to catch up with one of the most consistent performers among the Sydney riding ranks. Brenton talks of his lightning visit to Brisbane on the weekend which brought a Gr 2 winner. He reflects on his recent Gr 1 All Aged Stakes win on the Chris Waller trained Kolding. The young jockey remembers his introduction to racing by his bookmaker father Peter, and his early role model among the Melbourne jockeys. Brenton talks of school days and the classmate whose father happened to be a horse trainer. Work experience led him to an apprenticeship. He’s never forgotten his first winning ride. He took two carloads to Bendigo to give him support. The horse won despite a pretty average ride. He talks of his first metropolitan winner in Adelaide and his important initial winner in Melbourne. Brenton recalls the surprise phone call that would bring him to Sydney. He never returned to Melbourne. He remembers the chestnut mare who provided his first two Gr 1 wins and propelled him into the big time in Sydney. Brenton looks back on his two Melbourne Gr 1 winners, a sprinter and a stayer. He won a Lightning Stakes on Snitzerland and a Crown Oaks on the $101 “pop” Lasqueti Spirit. The Oaks story is riveting. The thrill of winning races like the Epsom, Oaks, Lightning Stakes and Randwick Guineas paled into insignificance alongside his Golden Slipper win on Estijaab. This is his day of days so far. He looks back on his golden season in 2017/2018- three individual premierships. Brenton reflects on his three exciting trips to Japan at the invitation of the JRA. The jockey speaks affectionately of his father-in-law, former successful jockey Neil Paine. Brenton acknowledges the support of his wife Taylor and the joy provided by seventeen month old son Hunter who boasts a strong racing pedigree. It’s a relaxed chat with a pleasant young bloke who deserves his spot among Sydney’s top jockeys.