With the help of Queensland race caller Russell Leonard we’ve identified Emerald trainer Glenda Bell as a worthy recipient of the April award. Russ was quick to text me a report on the former jockey’s stellar performance on April 16th. Four of her five runners were winners and she also provided the quinella in one of those races.
Glenda’s “fab four” were Our Stormy Girl, All Native, Kareno and Prunda. You’re not imagining things - her fourth winner carries the same name as the brilliant 1960’s galloper who won 30 races in Queensland. Chris McIver rode All Native, while apprentice Tahlia Fenlon handled the other three. Glenda had an even better day at Emerald two years ago when she saddled up five winners at a Saturday TAB fixture. Only last September she produced four winners at a Twin Hills meeting.
Glenda still rides her share of trackwork at Emerald.
Glenda began her apprenticeship with Emerald trainer Noel Coyne in 1974 and became a fixture on central Queensland tracks for more than three decades. Her most important win as a jockey was the Emerald Cup on Boucher Boy in the early 1990’s. Only a handful of friends were aware that Glenda was four months pregnant with her son Guy at the time she won her hometown Cup. She retired from race riding in 2008 in the most spectacular way, winning on Beautiful Divka at her final appearance. Not one to keep records, Glenda believes she rode in excess of 500 winners.
As the April award winner, she will soon be the recipient of 12 complimentary bags of the Hygain/Mitavite product of her choice.
Glenda with one of her regular jockeys Les "Bubba" Tilley.
They've been throwing trophies at Glenda lately! Here she is with a brand new horse rug.
(Banner image - One of Glenda's four winners at Emerald 16/04/2022. Prunda (Tahlia Fenlon) wins by a big space - courtesy Jacque Donaldson Photography.)