Episode 474: Terry Evans

It’s a pleasure to welcome Terry Evans to the podcast- the trainer who happens to be the sole occupant of on course stabling at the Tuncurry-Forster racecourse on the NSW north coast. Terry was there when the new track was granted a licence by Racing NSW in 2009. This podcast was recorded two days before Sir Ravanelli scored an impressive win on a rain sodden Newcastle track. Terry rates the grey gelding as the best horse he’s trained to date. He begins by reflecting on the enthusiasm and commitment of the new Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club when he arrived fifteen years ago.  Terry pays tribute to the Jockey Club’s dedicated President Gary McQuillan. He remembers a conversation with a friend at a Port Macquarie meeting in 2009. At that time he was unaware a new track was under construction at nearby Tuncurry-Forster.  Terry talks about the purchase of the racecourse a few years ago by Racing NSW. The trainer talks about the facilities available to him. He explains the benefits of his 20 acre property at nearby Rainbow Flat. Terry and wife Julie had a frightening experience a few years ago when the property was threatened by the raging NSW north coast bushfires. He says the fires also got dangerously close to the racecourse stables. He was in total disbelief just twelve months later when floodwaters looked likely to inundate the stables. Terry expresses his appreciation of the talents and work ethic of Gonzalo Aguila, an Argentinian horseman who walked into the stables looking for a job. He looks back on early days in Balmain when he realised a dream by landing a sand boy’s role with the famous Balmain Tiger’s RL team. Terry pays tribute to two former Balmain legends who were his inspiration at the time. He reflects on his playing days in the Balmain Juniors and his transition to the Under 23 ranks. Memories of his very first game at the higher level remain vivid for all the wrong reasons. Terry reminisces about his entry into the thoroughbred world at a Southern Highlands stud farm. This is where he gained valuable experience working with mares and foals. A regular visitor to the property was a young lady who worked for the Horse Power Feed Company. Julie was destined to become his wife. He looks back on a move to Julie’s horse property at Dural and his appointment as a yearling handler at nearby Shillington Park. In the early 1990’s Terry and Julie established their own spelling and pre-training business near Wyong. They were delighted when the business grew rapidly but in the end it became too much for them. He says this was the catalyst for his transition to horse training. He talks of a low key start at Gosford, and the help he received from the resident CEO. Terry looks back on the magical occasion of his first training win. He reminisces about a win with Verrekeen at Gosford in 2009. It was the very last race called by the retiring Ian Craig. It was a costly exercise for winning jockey Hugh Bowman. Terry acknowledges other horses who’ve helped him along the way. This podcast was taped a couple of days before Sir Ravanelli’s impressive win at Newcastle on May 11th. Terry recalls his acquisition of the gelding on the recommendation of a NZ bloodstock agent. He talks of the care and attention necessary to keep on top of the horse’s foot problems.  The trainer looks back on Sir Ravanelli’s achievements so far. He talks of the grey’s ownership group, one of whom is ace race photographer Steve Hart. He talks of the current progress of his old football team and the emotional attachment that persists to this day. Terry talks of Julie’s return to the nursing profession and son Troy’s love of a punt. It’s a laid back chat with yet another member of that exclusive club known as the “Balmain Boys”.