Episode 442: Robert Price

For the first few years of their training partnership Robert and Luke Price worked individually- Robert at Turpentine Park, a spelling and pre-training property at Cambewarra while Luke was based at the partnership’s Kembla stables. Circumstances have changed and the pair now operate in tandem from the racecourse. Rob joins us on the podcast to talk about the reasons for the change of format. Rob talks of his love for the NSW South Coast and the passion for thoroughbreds he and Luke have in common. He sees himself training horses long into the future. The experienced horseman talks of the extensive refurbishments being carried out at Kembla Grange currently. He says trainers are feeling the pressure but are excited about the future facilities. Rob talks of the unique premiership double he and Luke achieved last season. He looks back on an early aspiration to be a jockey and his apprenticeship to Nowra trainer Fred Thomason. Rob says he got as far as the trials, but the scales told him a riding future was off the table. He talks of the interim job he secured while sorting out his future. Rob looks back on the acquisition of his trainer’s licence and a low key start in the business. He talks of regular trips to the Berry Showground where he would meet his mentor and his future wife. He and Patricia produced two sons and a daughter who have subsequently provided them with a big team of grand kids. Rob pays tribute to the family. The South Coast horseman looks back on the valuable tutelage given by his late father in law Kevin Robinson. He extols the virtues of an extraordinary trainer. Rob remembers his first win as a trainer at Kembla in 1990, and the lengthy wait before that first elusive city win came along. He pays tribute to a few special horses who helped to get him up and running as a trainer. Rob looks back on the professional riding career of his son and training partner Luke Price. He talks of a nasty accident which halted Luke’s riding career in 2002, and the amazing comeback he made a year later. Rob says Luke still enjoys riding trackwork especially when his mount happens to be stable favourite Cuban Royale. The co-trainer pays tribute to bonny mare Jamaea, and reflects on some of her better performances. He talks of her recent sale on the Inglis Digital online auction. Not surprisingly we devote ample time to Rob’s reminiscences about the ill fated Count de Rupee- the best horse to pass through the Price stables so far. He comments on the bizarre reality that both Count de Rupee and his Golden Eagle conqueror I’m Thunderstruck are no longer with us. Rob says Count De Rupee’s deeds lifted the profile of the Price stable overnight. He makes special mention of the stable “war horse” Cuban Royale who’s still going strong as a nine year old. The trainer talks of a recent affiliation with the famous Australian Bloodstock operation. He’s optimistic about a Brave Smash two year old he’s training for the syndication giant. Rob gives us a “heads up” regarding a couple of unraced I Am Invincible fillies he and Luke are training. He concludes with mention of the instantly recognizable Price stable colours. Some of his owners have taken the white and tartan theme to another level.