Episode 571: Bernie Howlett - The horseman who rode, trained and bred Group 1 winners

With another edition of the historic Sydney Cup coming up on April 11th, it seems an appropriate time to catch up with a man who won it twice as a jockey in 1959 and 1961. Bernie Howlett’s riding career lasted only seven or eight years but was followed by a long innings as a successful trainer. In more recent times Bernie has earned recognition as a very astute breeder of horses. In fact he’s one of a chosen few to have ridden, trained and bred Gr 1 winners. He’s now a healthy eighty eight year old, living in Canberra and content to reflect  on his very rewarding life in racing. Bernie does us the honour of joining this week’s podcast to take us on a trip down memory lane.  He brings us up to date on plans for his future in racing. Bernie goes right back to childhood days in Tamworth and many trips to local race meetings with his dad Jack.  He acknowledges the deeds of older brother Arthur, himself a talented jockey and trainer. Bernie recalls the early tuition he received from legendary country trainer Arthur Gore and his apprenticeship to Eric Flett at Manilla. The veteran recalls his first ride in a race at Quirindi and his first win at Barraba. With ten bush winners under his belt Bernie made the decision to seek an apprenticeship in Sydney and literally knocked on the doors of several Randwick trainers. Finally a trainer called Frank McGrath agreed to sign him up.  Howlett reflects on his first city win on a hulking two year old owned by an AJC Committee member. He won another one on the same horse a few days later. He looks back on the thrill of being selected Dux of the AJC Apprentices School in the 1957/58 season.  Bernie says his golden run was halted by a nasty fall at Warwick Farm. Head injuries kept him out of the saddle for several months. He looks back on an association with dour stayer On Line which would lead him to a Sydney Cup win and a ride in the Melbourne Cup the following year. Bernie was to repeat his Sydney Cup win just two years later. This time he relegated an Australian turf idol into second place. He talks of the “return bout” with Tulloch in the Brisbane Cup less than three months later. This was to be the champion’s swan song. Bernie remembers the support of several trainers who helped him along the way during his time in Sydney. The former jockey and trainer clearly recalls a second placing in the Caulfield Cup and the suspension that cost him the ride on the same horse in the Melbourne Cup. He takes us back to 1964 and his low key start as a trainer. Bernie reflects on a fruitful decade training out of Kembla Grange during which time his only Gr 1 winner came along. He makes mention of some other smart horses he got to train.  The veteran pays tribute to several talented young riders to spend time under his tutelage. He talks of his keen interest in the breeding of thoroughbreds and the colt destined to give him Gr 1 success in another phase of his career. Bernie is justifiably proud of his contribution to the Australian population- 6 daughters, 1 son and 14 grandchildren. Great to catch up with a man who achieved the rare distinction of riding, training and breeding Gr 1 winners.