Episode 375: Chad Lever

Chad Lever’s sudden disappearance from the riding ranks last September mystified trainers, punters and friends. The popular jockey had been juggling a huge workload for several years to honour commitments on the provincial and country circuit. Ten months ago he knew he’d have to take a break before his health suffered. Chad explains that he’s been able to control his weight by riding trackwork and competing in barrier trials for his wife Claire. He explains that the constant travelling and wasting had worn him down. Chad talks of his wife’s riding career under the name of Claire Nutman and the training career she always envisaged. He looks back on their New York wedding. He acknowledges Claire’s good start as a professional trainer. Chad takes us back to his early days in Port Augusta and the valuable tuition he received from his late grandfather Fred Brodie. He remembers being regaled by Fred’s tales of the turf. He looks back on his move to Adelaide and an apprenticeship to top trainer Leon Macdonald. He was horrified to see a glut of apprentices already in Macdonald’s care. Chad talks of his fellow apprentices and the bizarre run of injuries that propelled him from number four to number one on the pecking order. He talks of his very first race win at Mt. Gambier. The jockey looks back on a productive apprenticeship. He outrode his claims quickly, and got tremendous support from outside stables. Chad pays tribute to Leon Macdonald and Richard Jolly. He looks back on four Adelaide jockey’s premierships- two as a junior and two as a fully fledged rider. He says Simon Price gave him a fright in his second senior quest. The hard working jockey speaks of his delight in winning two city races for his uncle Mick Huxtable. He talks of the best horse he’s been on to date. He had two race rides on dual Gr 1 winner Umrum. Chad reflects on his move to NSW at the invitation of trainer Sam Kavanough. He acknowledges valuable early support from Bjorn Baker. He looks back on a five year stint with Chris Waller and his many winners for the premier stable. Chad recalls his decision to concentrate on the out of town tracks, and the clientele he was able to build up in a short time. He looks back on a great run of success. He explains that Claire was his regular chauffeur at the time and was present at the Scone meeting in 2017 when he was involved in a nasty race fall. He looks back on many frustrating months out of the saddle. Chad was still riding regularly when Claire saddled up her first winner as a trainer. He followed instructions to the letter to win on Grace Bay at Gundagai. He talks of a couple of promising fillies in his wife’s stable currently. Good to chat with a highly regarded jockey who’s made his mark in two states.