Episode 393: Jamie Walter

We catch up with the founder and CEO of the respected racehorse syndication company Proven Thoroughbreds. This interview was recorded before Private Eye’s unplaced effort in the Champions Mile. Jamie Walter recalls the heart stopping moments when Private Eye hit the front a few strides from home in The Everest. He relives the excitement of the occasion. Jamie pays tribute to a very special horse and to Joe Pride, the trainer who has taken Private Eye to ten wins and $6 million. Jamie Walter talks about his childhood at Mudgee and an early association with horses. He talks of his fascination with radio and early announcing jobs on western districts stations. Jamie remembers a surprise offer from 2UW, at the time a very popular Sydney station. He talks of an overseas adventure which saw him work in racing stables in the USA and England. There were a few unlikely jobs in between. On returning to Sydney he assisted brother Guy who’d set up shop at Warwick Farm. At the same time Jamie picked up freelance work as a “voice over” talent on radio commercials. He talks of a complete change of direction- a move to the Sydney Futures Exchange. He spent ten years in the industry. Jamie looks back on a brief gig with 2GB which had been purchased by John Singleton. His versatility again shone through, as he tried his hand as an NRL commentator. He looks back on the creation of Proven Thoroughbreds and the spare job he tried as he waited for accreditation. Jamie talks of the early days of Proven Thoroughbreds  when he concentrated on the purchase and syndication of tried racehorses. Hence the company name. He pays tribute to the two trainers who operate his Queensland stable. Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted have done an outstanding job for the operation. Jamie acknowledges some of the talented horses who’ve helped establish Proven Thoroughbreds. This podcast would not be complete without Jamie’s tribute to his late brother Guy who died suddenly in 2014. He pays tribute to sons Tom, Sam and Harry. It’s a good yarn with a bloke who has crammed two lifetimes into one.