Episode 527: Richard Bensley

Golf has long been the most popular pastime of professional jockeys. Some have attained a very high level in the sport, others are happy to “puddle” around once or twice a week with a few mates. Highly respected southern districts jockey Richard Bensley has come up with a recreation far removed from conventional sports. Thanks to the influence of his late father Bryson, Richard is a master exponent of the ancient art of carriage driving. He frequently jumps into a sparkling old world buggy drawn by a high stepping Hackney and competes at the highest level. He’s also ridden more than 900 winners in a successful 25 year career mostly on southern district tracks. Richard Bensley is a podcast guest with a difference. He talks firstly about a promising mare he’s been riding just lately for Goulburn trainer Patrick Murphy. He acknowledges the talents of former jockey Pat Murphy. Richard talks about the equine skills of his late father Bryson, his father-in-law Rick Jones and late mother Joanne who was also a noted horsewoman.  The successful jockey talks about his Goulburn property and the large number of horse drawn vehicles tucked away in a shed. One of those vehicles is a century old hearse.  He talks about the never ending work involved in maintaining leather harness and brass fittings. Richard talks about the English bred Hackney, the horse most commonly used in carriage driving around the world. The breed is diminishing but the jockey does his bit to help save the species. He pays tribute to wife Melissa, son Mitchell and daughter Chelsea. Richard remembers the occasion when breeder Peter Stewart told Bryson that his son’s feet were too big for him to even consider becoming a jockey.  He recalls a chance conversation his father had with trainer Ken Callaughan who’d only just moved to the new Goulburn training complex. That conversation changed Richard’s life. The jockey hasn’t forgotten Callaughan’s all round horsemanship skills. He remembers his hometrack debut on a Callaughan runner in 2000, and the thrill of his first win at Cootamundra. Richard says it took him a long time to ride a city winner. He acknowledges his successful association with trainer Nick Olive for whom he rode more than one hundred winners. Richard looks back on some of the nice horses he got to ride for the Olive stable. The jockey looks back with delight on a Black Opal Stakes win for old friend trainer Gratz Vella. He takes us through his win on You’re Canny. Richard expresses his appreciation of the staunch support he had from the Vella stable. He looks back on a winning association with Loved Up, a talented mare from the Brett Cavanough yard.  Richard remembers a black type win on Loved Up in the Scone Guineas and the unlikely circumstances that brought him a second stakes win on the same day. The forty two year old speaks highly of The Monstar, another talented horse from the Brett Cavanough stable. He got to ride the sprinter in a couple of high quality races in Melbourne. Richard names a handful of outstanding country jockeys for whom he’s had high regard throughout his career. He looks back on a second placing in a Rosehill TAB Highway destined to be promoted by default. Richard confirms that retirement is not yet on the radar. That applies to race riding and carriage driving.