Racing in Macau stopped six months ago but former trainer Geoff Allendorf still goes to the stables every morning, just like he has since childhood, taking care of his horses. Allendorf’s three decades-plus career in Asian racing ended when the Macau Jockey Club ran its last races on March 30 this year but Allendorf remains here on a promise to owners and through his own love of horses. “The owners all went into a panic because they love their horses,” Allendorf told the Idol Horse Podcast. “So I said to them, I'll guarantee I will stay in the Macau Jockey Club (MJC) until your horse leaves Macau.”We also ask Geoff about his career as a talented jockey and trainer – his journey from a childhood in far North Queensland to top trainer Macau is one of the more interesting in world racing. Geoff is a great character and storyteller. He was riding trackwork at 12, he was an apprentice in a golden era of Sydney racing, he rode in the colourful Hong Kong scene in the late 80s and won three jockeys’ premierships in Macau during the 1990s. We also ask Geoff about the day he nearly beat the mighty Kingston Town at Rosehill. All that and more on the Idol Horse Podcast. 01:02 The Promise: Geoff Allendorf's Commitment to his Owners and Their Horses 04:29 Lessons from Macau Racing's Decline06:52 Memories of a Thriving Racing Era 07:50 The Greats of Hong Kong Racing and What Made Tony Cruz So Good?09:18 "The X Factor" Jockeys and Trainers 12:40 Nearly Beating a Legend: Kingston Town14:34 Life After Training: What's Next for Geoff?
When it was announced that Mark Newnham would be headed to Hong Kong at age 55 he was adamant it was a 'one way ticket' and he would train there until he retired. Mark had worked in Sydney racing for the previous 40 years, in stables, as a mature-aged apprentice, then jockey, assistant and trainer, so we thought he'd be the perfect person to provide some perspective on racing in New South Wales, where prizemoney is booming, but independent and educated industry views are sometimes hard to find. Mark also talks about the whip: do jockeys need to carry a whip in a race as an instrument of safety? He tells us why racing should always place the horse as hero when it comes to marketing, we touch on Australian racing's staffing issues, marketing racing careers and Mark's philosophy in guiding apprentice jockeys, something he was famous for at Randwick. Then there are Mark's influences: the eccentric genius of Gai Waterhouse and her superstar Pierro, Bart Cummings and Mark's father John, an old-school newspaper man who introduced his son to racing and the characters of Sydney horse racing media at a young age. 00:00 Introduction to Mark Newnham's journey03:02 The unique challenges of training in Hong Kong06:05 Prizemoney is great, but what would Mark change about racing in New South Wales? 09:04 Staffing issues in the racing industry11:53 Mark's philosophy on guiding apprentices14:46 Mark Newnham's career as a jockey18:12 Influences: The 'eccentric genius' of Gai Waterhouse, Bart Cummings and Mark's father John21:00 What makes a champion like Pierro different? 23:56 The Future of horse racing and promoting the horse as hero 26:53 Whip use: is the whip necessary for jockey and horse safety? 29:56 Goals for the upcoming Hong Kong season
A conversation with Andrew Rule, an accomplished crime author and investigative journalist, covers his passion for horse racing and his involvement in the film 'A Horse Called Winx'. The film tells the story of the legendary racehorse Winx and her trainer Chris Waller. Rule shares his experience in horse racing journalism and the changes he has witnessed in the industry. He also shares his views on the challenges the sport faces in the modern age and what needs to be done to combat them. Afterwards, Idol Horse Editor Michael Cox chats with journalist Cameron Williams, who conducted the interviews for the film with Winx's trainer Chris Waller and regular jockey Hugh Bowman.
David Eustace faces a daunting task ahead of his first season in Hong Kong. He speaks to Andrew Le Jeune about his plans for the 2024/25 season, why he will be taking a patient approach and the trainers he has sought advice from in Hong Kong. 02:23 David's family connection to Hong Kong racing.06:04 Adapting training methods to Hong Kong.09:20 Seeking advice from rival trainers. 14:12 Bloodstock strategy. 17:16 First season goals.
Idol Horse tackles the biggest events on the world horse racing calendar. Expect to hear interviews from the biggest names in the sport and insight, breaking news and forthright opinion from the Idol Horse team.