Episode 370: Barry Lockwood

Great to catch up with Barry Lockwood who’s back on deck following two unrelated health issues. The talented horseman talks openly about his serious cancer scare, and the loss of a toe as a result of a golden staph infection. His famous sense of humour is never far away. Barry pays tribute to son Rick who ran the stable during his father’s lengthy hospitalisation.  He talks of his relocation from stables near the 1800m mark at Eagle Farm to the infield barn. Barry talks of his early life in Tamworth and the racing interests of his dad Ross. His interest in horses led him to an apprenticeship with veteran Tamworth farrier Arthur Marshall who taught him the finer points of the blacksmithing business. He talks of the many skills of his tutor. Barry became a commercial farrier and was always in demand. The experience he gained in those early days has served him well. He recalls a phone call from Rosehill trainer Paul Sutherland which led to his first job out of Tamworth. Barry talks of a surprise offer he received from expatriate NZ trainer Brian Smith. On going solo as a trainer Barry ran into major strife when charged with being party to a horse not being allowed to run on its merits. He recalls the trauma of the occasion. He reflects on an assignment he undertook for well known owner/breeder and veterinary surgeon Alan Bell - the preparation of young horses for ready to run sales. Barry remembers his return to training and the acquisition of stables at Rosehill. The trainer talks of a lightly framed filly who won a couple of city races but would achieve fame as a broodmare. He looks back on a short but exciting journey with a NZ bred filly who was injured in a Golden Slipper and failed to regain her best form. Barry talks of his three year stint training from Brian Smith’s Warwick farm stables. He looks back on a move to Port Macquarie where he trained a small team, shod racehorses and tried his hand at raising children. Then came a two year stint running a spelling and pre training property. He had an association with a Queensland horse for whom he had special admiration. Barry looks back on a short stint at a Victorian racing operation, before returning to his native Tamworth with second wife Karen. The freezing Tamworth winters eventually saw him head to Queensland where he’s been training successfully for a decade. Barry profiles a number of talented horses who’ve helped to establish him among the Queensland training ranks. He has high praise for a couple of young jockeys with whom he’s been associated in Brisbane.