Episode 523: Ron Quinton

Racing has seen few more distinguished careers than the one enjoyed by Ron Quinton over six rewarding decades. His stellar riding career spanned almost thirty years. His successful training career is now in its thirty second year and counting. Ron’s an inductee of the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame and the recipient of a Medal Of The Order Of Australia, fitting acknowledgements of his contribution to Australian racing.  I’ve conducted interviews with Ron Quinton many times over sixty years and there was a comprehensive podcast in 2018, but several recent email requests for an updated version have got us on the job. It’s a pleasure to revisit the career of an iconic Australian horseman. His passion for the game is unwavering. His recall of horses, horsemen and events will take you on a nostalgic journey. Ron admits he’s a disciplined trainer who never takes his eye off the ball. The seventy seven year old acknowledges the support of long time client Ray Gall who’s rarely without a horse or two in the stable. Ron remembers the first yearling Ray gave him to train. That filly was Mamzelle Pedrille who remains the trainer’s all time favourite. Ron pays tribute to his first Gr 1 winner.  His magic moment came on the opening day of the famous Melbourne Cup carnival in the year 2000. He looks back on another unforgettable day at Flemington when he won the historic Victoria Oaks with Bulla Borghese- his second Gr 1 as a trainer. Ron has had a commanding presence in the history of the Coolmore Classic run at Rosehill during the Golden Slipper carnival. He won it twice as a jockey and four times as trainer. He looks back on his quartet of training wins beginning with classy mare Ofcourseican. He remembers Peeping, Daysee Doom and Dixie Blossoms who all won the high profile race. The veteran horseman looks back on his association with the respected owner Millie Fox. He was recommended for the job by Brian Mayfield-Smith who’d decided to explore the possibility of becoming a conservationist in South Africa. Ron looks back on the best of the 95 winners he trained in four years for the universally popular Mrs.Millie Fox. He pays tribute to the lengthy list of talented junior riders who spent all or part of their apprenticeships under his wing. Ron looks back on his twenty years as stable jockey for legendary trainer Neville Begg. He speaks of Begg’s affinity with fillies and mares. He goes back to childhood days at Mendooran in the Central West and early days in the saddle. Ron pays tribute to his master and mentor Theo Green. He looks back on a rewarding apprenticeship and the wonderful opportunities afforded him by leading stables.  Ron takes us on a nostalgic journey as he revisits his association with horses like Analie, Bletchingly, Emancipation, Dalmacia, Marscay, Sir Dapper, Rory’s Jester, Marauding, Kingston Town, and Baguette- a true galaxy of stars. The former great jockey was involved in twelve race falls during three decades in the saddle. When it comes to injury he regards himself as one of the lucky ones. From the outset of his riding career Ron harboured an ambition to ride overseas. He looks back on three memorable stints with champion Irish trainer John Oxx.  Ron talks of the devastating loss in 2017 of Margaret, his wife of 45 years. His horses helped him through a difficult time. He talks of children Shawn, Trent and Annabel and of his four grandchildren. Ron looks at his future direction.  This is a wonderful trip down memory lane with a giant of Australian racing.