Episode 345: Bob Peters

Regular Sky Racing watchers are familiar with the striking cerise and white racing colours of legendary WA owner/breeder Bob Peters. Those colours are seen in the winner’s circle at Ascot and Belmont on a regular basis. Bob’s strike rate in major WA races has been extraordinary. He shares with us his journey from the tiny wheatbelt town of Dalwallinu to his current ranking as the world’s 4th most successful racehorse owner. In the podcast Bob gets all of his bad news out of the way first. He talks of his early education and the expectations of a strict dad. Horses were in his thoughts from an early age. During a University stint he drove a horse drawn milk cart at night. Bob talks of his eagerness to “earn” a quid from an early age. He looks back on a job installing bores in the wheatbelt region. He looks back on his fascination with the “car game” and a friendship with David Golding who recognized potential in young Peters. Golding made Bob a tempting offer but the young man was keen to go it alone. Bob remembers his involvement with the WA Hunt Club. It’s a thing of the past now, but he’s never forgotten his journey in the old world sport. The legendary racing man reflects on 18 years in racing administration. He wore many hats during his time with the WA Turf Club. Bob talks of his first foray into racehorse ownership and remembers the famous names who were dominating the local racing scene at the time. He talks of several properties he developed for horse breeding in the early years and his acquisition of “Yalebra”. Today this 650 acre ‘horse heaven” at Keysbrook is Bob’s chief interest.  Bob admits his horse numbers grow too high on occasions. Just last year he put two prized mares on the market. The maestro pays tribute to the racehorses, stallions and broodmares who’ve shaped his destiny on the turf. He acknowledges the trainers who’ve helped him to dizzy heights as an owner/breeder, and the remarkable jockey who has worn the cerise and white silks more than any other. Bob tells the wonderful story of wife Sandra talking him into running a three year old in the Perth Cup some years ago. Sandra had the last laugh. The veteran racing aficionado pays tribute to daughters Robyn and Melissa, to three grandchildren and one great grandson. It’s a laid back yarn with a man who has reaped the benefits of hard work, professionalism and a wonderful instinct for making the correct call more often than not.