Episode 406: Paul St Vincent

I enjoy reminiscing with bush horsemen, especially one who’s been around for a while. We catch up with Paul St Vincent who took a long time to retire but his stables are finally empty. He does however travel from Tamworth to Coffs Harbour whenever his sons Aiden and Kane require his help. This interview was recorded ten days before Aiden’s talented horse Lisztomania won the Country Championship qualifier at Port Macquarie. Paul talks of his long road trips to the coast. He talks of sons Aiden and Kane and their respective careers in the racing industry. Paul talks of his early aspirations to become a golfer and subsequent jobs in golf club pro shops. He says harness horses sparked his interest at the old Newcastle Showground track. Paul talks of his time with the Narrabri Golf Club and then a career change into caravan and horse float sales. The former successful trainer recalls a chance meeting with a man who would change his life. He met legendary horse trainer Merv Corless at the Tamworth Golf Club. They became great friends. Paul talks of the gesture by Merv Corless destined to launch his training career. Paul wasn’t at the track the day his first winner bobbed up. He talks of his move into the Tamworth Jockey Club’s  on course stables and remembers some of the loyal owners who helped to get his career up and running. Paul pays tribute to a string of his favourite horses with a few funny stories thrown in. He acknowledges the long term support he received from some great country jockeys. Paul delights in telling the story about his acquisition of the horse destined to take him to a bigger stage. He speaks of a friendship with Gerry Harvey which would lead him to The Jackal, eventual winner of more than $1 million dollars in prize money. Paul takes us through a racing career which would see The Jackal post 15 wins and 16 placings. He was a multiple stakes winner. The former trainer reveals that The Jackal, at twenty years of age still has the run of his Tamworth property. Paul pays tribute to daughters Lucinda and Erlina and acknowledges the long term support of his wife Therese. This is a laid back chat with a respected bush trainer who more than held his own whenever he brought one to town.