Episode 359: Bill Prain

Great to catch up with Bill Prain who called it quits in 2018 when his great friend and valued client Fred Peisah succumbed to illness. Bill had been adamant for some time that he’d retire if ever Fred left the racing industry. He talks of Peisah’s unwavering loyalty over three decades. Now in retirement on the Gold Coast, Bill says he’s still an avid race watcher. He talks of childhood days in Parramatta, and the nickname bestowed upon him by his mother- a nickname he’s never been able to shake. Bill talks of his father Col, a former bush jockey in Queensland. Prain Snr had always hoped one of the family would follow in his footsteps. Bill remembers his original apprenticeship to Vic Thompson Snr at Rosehill. The tiny apprentice became disillusioned after two years and looked for a change of stables. You won’t believe the luck that came his way. Twelve months later Bill had his first race ride at Gosford. He had the race won won two strides from home. Just when he was thinking he’d never ride a winner, Prain was given an opportunity by trainer Tom Kennedy. Not many apprentices win their first race at a Sydney metropolitan Saturday meeting.  Bill talks of the first metropolitan winner he rode for his boss Theo Green. Some time later he got to “strap” the same horse when several overseas jockeys rode in an international event at Rosehill. Colisee Star won the race for an Italian jockey with a famous name. Bill talks of his wonderful association with Hawkesbury trainer, the late Tom Sewell. He recalls the heady days when he would accompany Sewell to country carnivals with a truckload of horses. They had some good times. He hasn’t forgotten one unforgettable day at Wyong when Sewell had three runners for three winners. Bill was rewarded with the biggest “sling” of his racing career. Bill talks of his marriage to Julie Herford in 1980 and a move to Wagga where he regenerated his riding career. He received tremendous support and was riding winners all over the region when the unthinkable happened. He was outed for twelve months on a “running and handling” charge at Bathurst. His unblemished record saw it cut in half. He talks of his last winning ride at Randwick in 1987, and a change of direction. He went to work for a while in the hospitality industry. Bill talks of his return to racing as stable foreman for Bernie Kelly who had just started as private trainer to Fred Peisah at Warwick Farm. Soon after Bill was stunned when offered the trainer’s role following Kelly’s sudden resignation. The popular horseman talks of Fred’s Lomar Park Stud at Werombi where he stood a succession of successful stallions. Bill got to train many of the progeny of those stallions. Bill reflects on a few of the special horses to race under the Lomar Park banner, with special acknowledgement of the bonny filly Moment’s Pleasure. A shocking draw hindered her chances in the Golden Slipper. He talks of a valued association with a very young Corey Brown. Bill remembers another brilliant little filly called Regal Chamber who won the Magic Night Stakes before running a “blinder” for third in the Golden Slipper. Like Moment’s Pleasure she was disadvantaged by a horror draw. During this era Billy chose to ignore some ominous symptoms of impending ill health. Dragged to the Doctor by wife Julie, he was stunned to learn that he had colon cancer. The disease had already spread to other areas. Emergency surgery arrested the immediate problem but he wasn’t out of the woods yet. Bill has a stern message to anybody who might choose to ignore tell tale symptoms. He talks of the ongoing ordeal of chemotherapy injections. Now 71 years of age and twenty five years after his initial diagnosis, Billy Prain realises he’s one of the lucky ones. He acknowledges the tremendous support of Julie and his three daughters during the dark days of his illness. The popular horseman talks of his three special daughters and the grandchildren who address him by the nickname he was given by his mother all those years ago. It was a delight to catch up with Billy Prain.