Episode 566: Neil Rae - Former multiple premiership winner now riding the big machines.

Former champion jockey Wayne Harris speaks glowingly of his former “stablemate” Neil Rae. Both were apprenticed to the late Pat Farrell, and while Harris concentrated on metropolitan racing for most of his career Rae opted to stay in the Hunter region where he enjoyed a productive 23 years-  productive enough to give him a total of 8 Hunter and North West riding premierships. Wayne Harris suggested I call the former lightweight jockey and talk to him about a possible podcast. A little reluctant at first, Neil finally agreed to join us for a chat about a career that brought him a very impressive 1370 wins. He begins by talking about the excavators and compactors he operates for the Lake Macquarie City Council. Always a natural lightweight, Neil says he’s still pretty fit.  Rae was given a nickname by workmates very early in his career. He says it’s still widely used by racing people. Neil talks about a racing accident at Gosford that left him with a  shocking ankle injury. He talks about a short lived comeback. He was delighted to ride a winner on his final day in the saddle. Neil talks about early days in Newcastle and his intense dislike of school. He talks of his first experience in a racing stable followed by his indentureship to the late Pat Farrell. The retired jockey clearly remembers his first race ride at Muswellbrook, and the thrill of his first win just a few weeks later. He actually landed a double on the day. Neil remembers his first provincial and metropolitan wins on the same horse. He recalls being driven to the races by Wayne Harris on the occasion of his first city win, little realising he’d later buy the car in question. He talks about the valuable tutelage he received from Harris, one of the greatest riders of his generation. Neil talks affectionately of Irish Flyer, perhaps the most important horse in his early career. He remembers the brilliant but headstrong Proud Knight. The son of Vain had enormous ability but often refused to race tractably around the turns. There was one unforgettable occasion at Randwick when Proud Knight’s gate opened prematurely. Neil says his tendency to try too hard early in his career resulted in many suspensions. He talks of successful associations with leading Newcastle trainers like Paul Perry, Max Lees and later Kris Lees.   Neil says his ability to ride at a featherweight sometimes cost him rides.  He looks back on his eight riding premierships, three of them as an apprentice.  Neil says he was thrilled to be invited to ride two former champion racehorses in exhibition gallops. One was a legend, the other a dominant two year old in the early 80’s.  Neil had only a handful of Gr 1 rides. He was pretty chuffed to ride the third placegetter in the 1989 Sydney Cup.  He says the race was run under deplorable conditions. He talks about fatherhood and the inevitable progression to grandfatherhood. Neil Rae is well remembered as a jockey of unwavering work ethic. His career win tally of 1370 tells the story. Great to have him on the podcast.