Episode 487: Kevin Sweeney

Kevin Sweeney was one of those ever reliable jockeys who did his job with total dedication for an amazing 46 years. Had it not been for a high spirited horse dumping him at a Nowra meeting in 2015, he may well have pushed on for a bit longer. Kev spent the bulk of his career at Canberra and on southern districts tracks, where he forged strong associations with many stables. Despite a few current health issues the seventy year old pays us the honour of joining the podcast for a good, old fashioned trip down memory lane. Kev begins by revisiting the occasion of his last race ride when he was unceremoniously dumped by a quirky horse. He recalls a winning treble at Wagga just two days earlier. Kevin talks about his move to the far NSW south coast, and the health issues he’s been battling for the last four years. He remains philosophical. The former respected jockey takes us back to childhood days, and the love he received from his single mum and a doting grandfather. He’s never forgotten the day his family took him to Randwick races. He’s happy to admit that his aversion to school brought much grief to his mother Grace. Kevin remembers his apprenticeship to Reg Cook, brother of Bill and uncle of Peter. He shares his memories of the famous Cook family. He remembers his first two wins on a horse trained by Reg Cook. Both wins were at Hawkesbury. Kevin has never forgotten his first city win. His second metropolitan success figured in a little piece of racing history. The  veteran takes us back to Reg Cook’s move to Canberra in the early 70’s. He talks about a switch of stables to Terry Rutzo who would become a staunch supporter. He explains the reasons for his sudden relocation to Wyong at the invitation of local trainer Ron Tilley.  Back in Canberra Kevin forged a great association with trainer Keith Dryden. He believes he rode 220 winners for the Dryden stable. Sweeney reflects on his association with talented Dryden trained mares Coolroom Candidate and Bacchanal Woman. He went to NZ with Bacchanal Woman. He acknowledges another Dryden runner De Lightning Ridge. He won four races on the mare including two in the city.  The dedicated jockey pays rightful homage to the ageless gelding Digger Stakas. He rode the veteran on many occasions, and actually gave him a home in his twilight years. Kevin fondly remembers 13 wins on the consistent Comanche Prince. He talks about his long association with the John Morrisey stable with special mention of an AJC Country Cup win on China Garden.  Kevin remembers another ride on China Garden which landed him in hot water. He was given three months by the stewards for an unsatisfactory ride. Sweeney’s commitment to country racing deprived him of opportunities in feature races. He says he was 49 before he won a decent race.  He looks back on the days when he was the “go-to” jockey for bush trainers who were bringing their horses to Canberra meetings. He tells the story of a win on a plunge horse at Canberra trained by a man destined to reach dizzy heights on the turf. Kevin reflects on his good fortune when it came to injuries. He and partner Michelle were the parents of three boys. He says only one has made a career in racing. The former jockey pays tribute to later partner Libby who’s doing a great job on the Keith Dryden team. Libby is close to commencing a new role in the stable. This is an overdue acknowledgment of a long and distinguished riding career.