Episode 343: Dean Yendall

Great to catch up with top Victorian lightweight jockey Dean Yendall who’s feeling a little sorry for himself at the moment. Dean talks about the frustrations of endless weeks in a neck brace. He’s grateful no surgery was required. Dean reflects on the Terang fall that put him out of business just before Xmas. He says his mount Saintly Rose had the race won when she went sideways. He talks of his choice of lifestyle at rural Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera district. Dean looks back on his apprenticeship to Ken Sweeney at historic Jerilderie in the Riverina. He’s never forgotten his first win on Leinster at Narrandera more than 30 years ago. He recalls his transfer to Kilmore trainer Peter Gray. Dean reflects on his first city win at Oakbank in 1994. He looks back on early years when he tried to carve a niche for himself in many different parts of the country. He speaks fondly of a man who became his mentor and best friend. The lightweight jockey pays tribute to several trainers who gave him valuable support. Dean still can’t believe he rode his first Gr 1 winner in Sydney. He fondly remembers Yankee Rose. Just three weeks after his Randwick triumph Dean struck again at Gr 1 level during the Melbourne Cup carnival. He pays tribute to I Am A Star. The popular jockey remembers his two rides on crack sprinter Santa Ana Lane. One of them gave him another Gr 1! Dean acknowledges two other Gr 1 triumphs- his second Myer Classic and an Oakleigh Plate. The jockey talks of his Gr 1 Memsie Stakes win on Scales Of Justice for astute trainer Lindsey Smith. Yendall’s ability to ride light has earned him several Melbourne Cup rides. He talks of his closest finisher. Dean pays tribute to his wife jockey Christine Puls and his 8 year old daughter Mia. He talks of Christine’s best win to date -a Gr 3 Hobart Cup on Our Dashing Dane. He reflects on the wonderful tribute paid to Christine by the Victorian racing industry in 2019.