Episode 412: Jo McKinnon

The fate of retired racehorses has never been under more scrutiny, and Jo McKinnon couldn’t be happier. The respected media contributor recently launched her own website designed to monitor the post competitive lives of thoroughbreds and performance horses. Jo joins us to talk about the creation of “offthetrackhorses.com.au” and to look back on her own exciting life in media and in the racing industry. She talks of the origins of her independent on-line platform. Jo outlines her ideas for regular content on the site. She acknowledges the support of some special behind-the-scenes people. The talented media veteran takes us back to her very first job with the Herald and Weekly Times and the thrilling scholarship win that got her there. Jo talks of her duties with the major Melbourne newspaper. She looks back on her exciting transition into television as a sports reporter with Network Ten in Melbourne. She was on her way. Horse loving Jo was thrilled to join the team being assembled for Sky’s history making home racing channel. She was the first female presenter to be seen on the satellite coverage. Today there are many. She reviews the many roles she filled in the early days of the burgeoning media giant.  Jo talks of a sea change and a return to her hometown of Melbourne. She landed a plum role with the Moonee Valley Racing Club. She recalls an enjoyable stint as Marketing Manager for Aushorse which was in the process of rebranding. The role took her to Asia several times. Jo looks back on a brief association with the Nine Network and a return to Sky Racing. This time around she was chief anchor for the popular Sunday morning programme Racing Retro.  True to form the versatile personality felt the need for a change of direction. Before she knew it, Jo was working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a presenter at Happy Valley and Sha Tin. While in HK Jo’s ability to adapt to different roles landed her a job as “food writer” for the famous Tasting Kitchen magazine. Back in Australia in 2014 she landed a role with the VRC as head of PR for the famous spring carnival.  Jo looks back on enjoyable stints with Racing.Com and Equestrian Australia. Perhaps the most rewarding of her many accomplishments was the creation of a documentary with brother Lachie as her co- producer. Jo looks back on the five episode series called “A Racetrack Somewhere” which received excellent reviews. The talented McKinnon talks of her involvement in racehorse ownership. She part owned a pretty smart mare a few years ago. Jo talks of her participation in a recent RSN programme called Talking Horses, and her current role as guest columnist for the on-line publication ANZ Bloodstock News. Fast forward to 2023 and a new life on a 3500 acre property at Quirindi with her partner Andrew Talbot. Jo talks of Andrew’s long time association with Elders Ltd. He manages the famous Killara Feed Lot operation from the Quirindi property.   She says an invitation to join the committee of the Quirindi Jockey Club proved impossible to decline.   It’s a laid back chat with a lady who’s just as comfortable astride a show horse as she is in front of a television camera.