Episode 478: Brian York

Brian York hasn’t wasted a single minute from the day he became aware that his riding days were over. He tried everything known to medical science to overcome a knee injury sustained in a freakish fall at Rosehill in November 2002, but to no avail.The former star jockey joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his very busy and rewarding life after racing. Brian begins  by talking about a five year association with the Waterhouse/Bott stable producing videos of trackwork and jump outs for stable clients. He says border closures during the pandemic brought his business to an end. He talks about the challenge of learning a brand new craft. Brian looks back on his family’s emigration from Scotland to New Zealand. He was just ten years of age. The budding champion jockey was elated to gain an apprenticeship with respected Takanini trainer Cliff Fenwick. He recalls the thrilling occasion of his first win in March 1979 on a handy mare trained by his master. Brian looks back on the first of his 35 Gr 1 victories. He talks about successful stints in Singapore and Malaysia before accepting an offer to move permanently to Australia.  Brian clearly recalls the offer made by the late Bruce McLachlan who was looking for the right jockey to join the team at his lavish Caboolture training property. He describes the unique lay out of Thornhill Park. The former champion jockey pays a heartfelt tribute to the man who won 16 Brisbane training premierships. He believes no trainer/jockey partnership has ever been more harmonious. Brian acknowledges the talents of the special horses he rode during his time with the former Mt. Isa policeman. He reflects on six consecutive wins on the brilliant New Zealander Our Maizcay. When connections decided to run Our Maizcay in the Cox Plate with only 48.5 kgs Brian’s initial reaction was to relinquish the ride. He decided to give it a crack and turned up at the right weight on the day. His enormous sacrifice was to be all in vain. He looks back on a happy association with the powerhouse sprinter General Nediym.  Brian has fond memories of his very first ride on Filante- a stunning four lengths victory in the 1996 Epsom. He looks back on a very successful association with the Gai Waterhouse stable. Brian pays tribute to the well documented talents of trainer John Size. He regrets never having won a Golden Slipper. Circumstances kept him off three winners of the iconic two year old race. Brian won seven races on champion Might And Power including three memorable Gr 1’s. He looks back on a thrilling association with a unique horse. Might And Power’s trainer Jack Denham also prepared another of Brian’s favourites. The jockey looks back on a nine win streak with the talented Fairway. Brian talks about his association with the enigmatic Jack Denham.  He reflects on the irony of his final day at the races in 2002- a winner for the late Max Lees and a career ending accident just 90 minutes apart. Brian pays a touching tribute to Karen, his wife of 41 years.  It’s a nostalgic chat with one of the best riders of his generation.