Episode 441: Hilton Cope

It was the mid 1970’s and Hilton was on a flight from Dublin to Sydney after completing a three year stint with Irish trainer John Oxx. He turned to wife Marilyn and calmly announced that his riding days were over. In this podcast replay the former ace jockey explains why he quit at the top of his game, and recalls  the new life he forged back in Australia. Hilton begins by talking about his lifelong love of golf. He also reveals a love for fishing, a skill he learned from his great mate, the late Norm Munsie. Hilton talks of his amazing mother Vera who was 102 years of age when this podcast was recorded. She’s now 106 and still right on top of her game. The former outstanding jockey has never forgotten the day his father came home with an undernourished pony mare called Flicka- the pony who would trigger his love for riding.  Hilton talks of the horse dentist who looked after Flicka’s teeth. That dentist also had racing connections and was the catalyst in arranging Hilton’s apprenticeship to Rosehill trainer Vic Thompson Snr. He remembers everyday life with a trainer who was tough but fair. Hilton recalls his forgettable race riding debut, and the thrill of his first win at his 15th ride. The veteran horseman recalls the humbling experience of being selected Dux of the AJC Apprentice’s School- quite an honour in 1960. Cope was only 17 when he rode his first Gr 1 winner. He recalls the circumstances under which he picked up the ride on Red Wind in the 1960 AJC Metropolitan. Right at the end of his apprenticeship Hilton teamed up with a special 3YO filly. He remembers his AJC Oaks win on Jane Hero. He reflects on an association with a brilliant horse called Broker’s Tip. He won the Canterbury Guineas on the horse and hoped to be retained for the AJC Derby but was usurped by a glamour jockey of the day. The story had a happy ending. Hilton recalls renewing his partnership with Broker’s Tip in the autumn of 1970 for a great Gr 1 double.  The former jockey looks back on a brief association with the much revered Tails. He won his second AJC Metropolitan on the handsome chestnut, a decade after Red Wind. Hilton remembers his handful of rides on one of Australia’s best loved horses, the gallant Gunsynd. He talks of a racing peculiarity jockeys needed to be aware of. He hasn’t forgotten the exciting experience of his first and only ride in the Melbourne Cup. Hilton says he was in trouble controlling his weight at just 18 years of age. He confesses to some irresponsible behaviour on Saturday nights. He says dehydration sometimes generated cramps during or after races. He cites a couple of examples. Hilton was 26 when offered a contract in France which turned out to be an unhappy experience. The owner was happy to have him on her horses, but the trainer wanted nothing to do with the Australian jockey. He says a former champion Australian golfer was instrumental in getting him to Ireland. His three seasons with John Oxx more than compensated for the nightmare experience in France. Hilton reminisces about his happiest days as a jockey.  On returning to Australia he began the development of a spelling farm in the Hunter Valley. Before long he had 150 horses on the property. Hilton looks back on his resident herd of cattle and a successful venture into lucerne farming. He talks of his love for thoroughbred breeding and the enjoyment he gets out of racing a horse from time to time. Hilton remembers his mixed feelings when the decision was made to sell Kelvinside to the Darley empire. He says it was quite a wrench. I thoroughly enjoyed this chat with a very old friend. If you missed the podcast in 2019, here it comes again!