Episode 372: Rachael Murray

Great to catch up with the girl who left her busy father a note to ask for her first pony. Robert Murray agreed, and the first stone was laid on the path to his daughter’s career as a respected professional jockey. Rachael’s on the injured list at the moment otherwise she would have been difficult to pin down for an interview. She looks back on the day she left that note on the kitchen table. Rachael looks back on her early life on the family farm near Inverell, with her recollections of some severe droughts. She talks of the talents of the little grey pony called Suzie and some fun filled days at pony club. Rachael remembers her second horse- a quarter horse gelding who had little natural talent. She had to educate him from scratch. She talks of her siblings and pays tribute to her mother Rosemarie who had the job of taking her to horse events all over the north western region. Rachael talks of her university enrolment and the degree she attained in Agricultural Sciences. One of her classmates was an apprentice jockey who changed the course of her life. She talks of the picnic winner she rode before becoming officially apprenticed. Rachael looks back on her short time with Frank Tanner  in Armidale and a transfer to Scone trainer Greg Bennett. She has fond memories of her very first winner, a horse trained by Bindi Cheers. Rachael acknowledges some nice horses she rode for her master Greg Bennett. She talks of her indentureship to Michael Costa in the latter stages of her apprenticeship and the support given her by Warwick Farm trainer Mark de Montfort. Rachael runs through some of her career highlights for trainers like Paul Perry, Jane Clement, Mick O’Neill, Aleecia Bennett, Warren Gavenlock, and Peter Sinclair. She speaks fondly of Mr Pumblechook, the former racehorse she’s now schooling as a show jumper. She loves him to death. She talks of the injuries sustained in her recent fall at Tamworth. Rachael says she looks forward to her return to regular trackwork at Scone. She talks of the increasing number of female riders in her region. The dedicated jockey expresses her gratitude for the luxury of being able to eat regular meals.