Episode 294: Donna Castles

This is an inspirational chat with a remarkable Victorian trotting lady. Donna talks about the Victorian trotting industry’s support of the “Pacing For Pink” promotion which works in conjunction with the McGrath Foundation.  Donna, universally known as “Sissy” talks of her own personal battle with breast cancer in 2016. She looks back on her diagnosis, rehabilitation and the effects of the ordeal on herself and family. “Sissy” pays tribute to her father Jim Castles who drove his first winner in the 1950’s and was still driving in races sixty years later. Despite a strong hereditary factor, Donna didn’t begin her race driving career until she was 42 years old. She looks back on some of the good horses trained by her father in the golden years at Sydney’s Harold Park. Donna talks of her only sibling Sandra and her hard working mother Monica. She explains why she and partner “Doc” Wilson relocated to Shepparton almost twenty years ago and her reasons for taking up race driving at a late stage of life. “Sissy” talks of the thrilling occasion of her first race drive, and acknowledges the horses who helped kick start her professional career. She talks of the freakish fall at Cobram last year which could have left her with serious injuries.  Donna explains the reason behind the re- registration of the colours her father used in NSW for six decades. The talented horsewoman outlines the facilities to be found on the Shepparton training property she runs with partner “Doc”. The couple’s 18 year old daughter has learned the fundamentals but has no intention of following in Mum’s footsteps. We run through Donna’s impressive training and driving statistics.