Episode 431: Jon Grisedale

  It’s only two and a half years since we last spoke with Jon Grisedale but much water has flowed under the bridge since, and he’s approaching a special birthday- special when you’re talking about an active jockey. He’ll be 60 on October 10th, but you’d never know it as the winners continue to flow including a couple over the recent Grafton July carnival. English born Grisedale was reluctant to do another interview so soon but I was able to talk him into it. Jon and his wife Donna remain delighted with their decision to move to Coffs Harbour in 2019. The jockey talks of a Lismore race fall soon after his arrival which was more serious than reported. He talks of the warm reception afforded him by local trainers. He established contacts by riding an enormous amount of trackwork. He’s had to regulate his track commitments to a sane level but still rides work for a handful of great local supporters. Jon says the competition on the rivers is ferocious. He compliments Ben Looker who’s approaching 120 winners for the season. The jockey looks back on Donna’s early training career at Kembla Grange and outlines the reason for their move north. Jon recalls his first meeting with Donna when both were riding work for Chris Waller at Rosehill. He talks of the decade Donna spent working for the late Jack Denham. Jon talks of Donna’s Coffs Harbour horses, and describes her strong points as a trainer. It’s not widely known that Jon emigrated from England with his family at four years of age. He recalls the ocean voyage. He talks of his apprenticeship to the late Bede Horan at Rosehill, and has nothing but praise for the respected horseman. The jockey says Horan regularly took horses to bush meetings and took his apprentice with him. Jon says he literally “cut his teeth” on the western line.  He talks of the support offered by Rosehill trainer Ray Guy who supplied his first city winner. The mare in question would become a broodmare gem. Jon looks back on the special day at a Canterbury midweeker when he rode four winners. He says the media attention was unexpected. He talks of his association with Brian Mayfield-Smith. He says he was virtually number three rider for quite some time. Jon looks back on a brief association with Marauding. He has no doubt the big colt was the best horse he’s ever ridden. He remembers a Tramway Hcp win on the genuine “bushie” Moville Peter and a Rosehill stakes win on Mount Verde. Jon talks of his love of riding in country areas and the success he enjoyed in major bush races. The veteran jockey reflects on what he calls the “lost year of his life”- a battle with a rare disease called Endocarditis or a severe infection of the inner lining of the heart. The prolonged illness cost him a kidney and twelve months away from the career he loved. Jon looks back on his association with Chris Waller soon after the NZ trainer set up shop at Rosehill.  He talks of Waller’s training methods and recalls one humorous comment offered by the trainer after an unsuccessful day at Newcastle. Grisedale reflects on an injury sustained when a horse reared over with him in the Kembla parade yard. Doctors misinterpreted the initial x/rays. It’s a bizarre story. He talks of the retirement that lasted only a few months. Jon talks of the move to Coffs Harbour and the stables he and Donna were able to purchase. This is a trip down memory lane with a remarkable jockey who will soon reach the age at which most riders are long retired. Thanks to ace photographer Steve Hart we’ve been able to add some wonderful photos of Jon Grisedale at the top of his game in the 1990’s.