Episode 468: Larry Cassidy

Larry Cassidy’s sheer consistency as a professional jockey has brought him a strong fan base over almost four decades in the saddle. It’s now more than four months since Larry rode in a race, and the fans are getting restless.The ace jockey joins us on the podcast to talk about the litany of health issues and injuries he’s battled in recent years. He begins by talking about the track fall that left him with a badly broken finger last November. The complications have been endless. Larry takes us back to April of 2023 when he felt a twinge in his back during the running of a race. He battled on for a while but eventually the pain from a bulging disc made surgery inevitable. He was back at the races much sooner than expected.  He’d had only twelve rides back when a trackwork accident sent him out again. This time Doctors performed an epidural and ordered another long rest. Larry says he thought he’d used up all of his bad luck when he finally resumed last November. Lady Luck wasn’t done with him yet. The jockey was in reminiscent mood as he talked about early life in Wellington NZ. He looks back on the talents of brother Ricky who made a big name for himself as a jumps jockey. Larry talks of his first apprenticeship at Palmerston North and remembers his first ever race ride. Like most jockeys his first win remains etched in his memory. He talks of a transfer to former jockey Bruce Marsh at Woodville. Here his career took off. Larry fondly remembers a trip to Australia with Marsh who campaigned a small team of horses in Brisbane. This is where he rode his first Aussie winner. He recalls being involved in a five horse fall at Randwick during the same trip. The respected jockey looks back on a flying start when he finally settled in Sydney. Brother Jim recommended him for a prized ride. Larry pays tribute to Jim Cassidy. His comments will surprise you. With the Championships upon us it was a good time to talk about Larry’s big Easter double in 1997- the Doncaster on Secret Savings and the Sydney Cup on Linesman, He speaks fondly of Linesman and recalls the gelding’s huge run in the 1997 Melbourne Cup when battling a foot issue. Larry looks back on many rides in the Melbourne Cup without a win. A third and a fourth were his best results. The jockey clearly remembers a Victoria Derby win on Arena for the Inghams.  Larry acknowledges a number of outstanding gallopers he got to ride during his years in Sydney. Obviously he spends extra time on Sunline. He looks back on Darren Beadman’s shock retirement in 1997 and his promotion to the number one role at Crown Lodge. He says he was never officially appointed. It just happened. Larry talks of his three jockey’s premierships and his relationship with John Hawkes.  Cassidy remembers a new association with Gai Waterhouse after the parting of the ways with Crown Lodge. He explains his reasons for electing to make the move to Brisbane in 2009. He talks of a Queensland Derby win not long after relocating. His recollections of his one and only ride on Winx make for good listening. He couldn’t believe what he’d just experienced. Larry talks of a nightmare eighteen months with meniscal tearing in both knees. He eventually took his rehabilitation into his own hands. He pays tribute to wife Michelle and children Luke and Jade. Luke is on his way as a Doctor Of Medicine while Jade has aspirations in the arts, but is currently working for the wonderful organisation Guide Dogs Queensland. Larry is taking a realistic view of the future. He’d love to ride again, but hasn’t dismissed the possibility of an enforced retirement. It’s a laid back chat with an outstanding jockey who’s made a million friends along the way.