Episode 497: Billy Owen

With the Sydney jockey’s room virtually a closed shop, other talented riders are obliged to carve themselves a niche in one of several strong NSW regional centres. With no shortage of race meetings, these jockeys are able to pursue a healthy livelihood, sneaking to town from time to time when an opportunity arises. One such jockey is Billy Owen who’s services are in regular demand in the Southern Districts. Bill’s first stint as a professional rider was halted by weight problems in 2013. He spent the next five years on the amateur circuit winning more than a hundred races. He was thrilled in 2018 when his weight stabilised, allowing him to return to the pro ranks. Bill talks about his current run of success. He speaks highly of My Last Hooray whose three recent wins have impressed the jockey. The gelding is the only horse in the stable of former multiple Gr 1 winning trainer Frank Cleary. The jockey talks of Asgarda, the mare he partnered in the Kosciuszko. Bill’s location between Canberra and Queanbeyan enables him to ride trackwork at both venues. The 32 year old takes us back to his early days growing up on the family farm near Gundagai. He says he was in the saddle at age 3. He talks of his favourite equine activities and a brief stint at the rodeo. Bill says he loved every minute of his Rugby League involvement with the Gundagai Tigers. His “jockey’s frame” came against him.  With the blessing of his parents, Billy gained an apprenticeship with Nick Olive. The jockey clearly recalls his first winning ride on the Olive trained Chirurgo Dame in 2010.  He talks of a long and happy association with the Canberra trainer. Bill was on the team during Nick’s association with classy mare Single Gaze. He never rode Single Gaze in a race, but was her regular partner in trials and trackwork.  He says the stable staff were wildly excited when Single Gaze ran second in a Caulfield Cup and progressed to the Melbourne Cup of 2017. Billy talks of Voice Commander, the horse he rates as the best he’s ridden in a race. He looks back on the decision to quit the professional ranks when his weight got out of control. Bill has fond memories of his five years on the picnic circuit and a win in the famous Bong Bong Cup. The jockey has never forgotten the morning he became aware that a return to the professional ranks was a possibility. Bill says he took a much more professional approach on the comeback trail. He’s never forgotten Nick Olive’s gesture in finding the right horse to re-launch his career. Towards the end of 2018 Billy was tickled pink when Sydney trainer John O’Shea sought his services for a horse called Dawn Raid. He fondly remembers his first Saturday metro win on Junglized for trainer Brad Widdup. Bill hasn’t forgotten his first metropolitan double- a brace of wins at Warwick Farm for John O’Shea and Gerald Ryan.   He talks of the two jockeys he most admired as he was coming through the ranks. Bill pays tribute to partner Kia, daughter of prominent trainer Doug Gorrel. His regular riding weight of 57kgs is achievable only by adherence to a strict regime. Bill acknowledges the support of a handful of southern trainers. It’s a laid back chat with a very popular southern districts jockey.