Episode 363: Kevin Kemp

After a brief career as an apprentice jockey and an even briefer one in the harness racing sport, Kevin Kemp acquired his thoroughbred trainer’s license in1975. He worked another job for two years before focusing full time on a career which has taken him to the top bracket of Queensland’s training ranks.  Kev talks about a couple of his most recent winners Winter Rain and  Mishani Mistress. He mentions Alert And Ready and Ilikeit Iloveit two handy fillies who’ve each won 3 races at Toowoomba. He speaks very highly of apprentice Montanna Savva who’s 2kgs claim is rapidly expiring.  Kevin reviews the dramatic improvement in Savva’s riding over twelve months. He acknowledges  Skye Bogenhuber, a five time Toowoomba premiership winner who helps him out at Clifford Park trackwork.  In 2012 Kevin moved into the stables previously occupied by the legendary Jim Atkins. He says he’s mindful of the part this property played in Toowoomba racing history. He looks back on childhood days at Mitchell, 90kms from Roma and many fun filled days on his pony.  Kevin remembers his family’s move to Toowoomba in 1969 and a dramatic change of lifestyle. Schooling was not one of his favourite pastimes. He looks back on his apprenticeship to Gold Coast trainer Bill Krafft and his fleeting career as a jockey. Bill Krafft also trained a handful of harness horses. Kev says he took an instant liking to the standardbreds. He reflects on a magical morning at Albion Park when he rode on the side of a gig behind one of Australia’s greatest ever pacers.  Kevin looks back on a brief career at the trots. His strike rate was pretty tidy. He dismissed thoughts of going into harness racing and focused on a full time role as a trackwork rider on the Gold Coast. He makes special mention of a multiple Gr 1 winner he got to ride a few times. Kevin talks of his return to Toowoomba and a job with trainer Norm McCallum. He acquired his own trainer’s licence and Norm was happy for him to keep a horse or two in the stable. The trainer looks back on a chain of events which would launch his solo training career. Another local trainer retired, and two new horses suddenly turned up at the Kemp stables. Those horses won ten races between them. Kevin reflects on his wonderful association with the late Stathi Katsidis who died in 2010 after a drug overdose. The brilliant young jockey was given a huge farewell in Toowoomba. Kevin pays tribute to Tellem, a 16 time winner who remains one of his all time favourites. He fondly remembers a lightning trip to Sydney with Winsome Dancer and a thrilling win at Rosehill.  Kev had a lot of time for Sold For Song, a dual Queensland stakes winner and a Gr 2 placegetter in Melbourne. She’s now at stud. Kev has won 4 Weetwoods at Clifford Park. In winning the fourth he also supplied the quinella. He remembers that special day. The experienced trainer acknowledges the deeds of a few nice horses he’s had the pleasure to train in recent years.