Episode 525: Dave Heywood

For many decades the NSW Riverina has produced an endless list of outstanding trainers and jockeys. One of the latest recruits to hit the headlines on the big stage is young jockey Tyler Schiller who reeled off a couple of Gr 1 wins during the recent Championships. One man to leave his mark as a jockey and trainer is Dave Heywood who retired in 2020 after six decades in the racing industry. As a jockey he rode exclusively in the Riverina and Victoria. Surprisingly he never once got to ride on a Sydney track but he trained numerous winners in the harbour city. Dave Heywood earned the respect of all sections of the industry during 12 years in the saddle and another 48 years as a trainer. The rising 80 year old is in reminiscent mood as he joins us on the podcast. Dave says he’s blessed with good health. Right off the top he answers the commonly asked question about his relationship if any to ace jockey Nick Heywood. Dave says his primary sporting interests these days revolve around the dart board and the pool room. Few realise Dave was Victorian born. He explains how the family got to settle in the Riverina. The veteran horseman remembers riding trackwork at age 11 for legendary trainer Bert Honeychurch who became his master. Dave hasn’t forgotten his very first day as a professional jockey. He greeted the judge twice. He talks about the horses involved. He still remembers the thrill of riding a winner first up on the historic Flemington course. Dave looks back on the transfer of his indentures to top Melbourne trainer Brian Courtney. He realises how lucky he was to pick up a ride in the Melbourne Cup at just 15 years of age. He talks of the horse he rode for an iconic trainer and takes us through the running of the Centenary Melbourne Cup of 1960. One of the runners was Dave’s favourite horse. He looks back on his association with the man who took Phar Lap to America in 1932. Dave got to ride the talented Webster in an unsuitable race at Werribee. Although unplaced he still regards the horse as the best he ever rode in a race. He acknowledges several other talented horses he got to ride during his time in Melbourne. One of them was owned by a Hollywood movie legend. Dave was back in the Riverina in 1969. His weight was on the rise but he managed to ride for another few years with great success. He’s especially proud of a winning sequence over two days at Benalla. He explains that he was actually talked into applying for a trainer’s licence. Dave looks back on his “Indies trilogy”- Prince Of Indies, Pride Of Indies and King Of Indies, three talented horses who won more than 60 races between them. He pays tribute to his late brother-in-law Russ Milne who owned the Indies trio. He also loved a punt whenever his horses were racing. Dave is adamant the unsound Shadameneo was the best horse he trained. The former outstanding horseman pays tribute to the indestructible Green Ridge, veteran of 200 race starts. He looks back on prolific winners like Vain Alert, Hillston Exchange, Man Of Peace and Living On A Prayer. This is a long overdue chat with a great competitor and a gentleman of Riverina racing.