Image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics - Apprentice Craig Carmody with the late John Berry who trained a small team at Canterbury for many years.
In the first segment Craig reflects on his decision to quit the saddle after returning from Singapore in 2005.
He talks of his entry into the Randwick training ranks, and his current operation based in the Les Bridge training complex.
Craig speaks of the plight of the smaller trainers who don’t have access to the spending power of wealthy owners when the yearling sales roll around.
The former outstanding jockey looks back on a few special horses who’ve earned many times their modest purchase price.
He talks of his few experiments as a bloodstock agent and a couple of surprise results.
Craig pays tribute to some of the jockeys who’ve ridden for his stable including a few talented girls.
He recalls his final riding contract in Singapore which brought him in touch with his future wife, and the mother of his son and daughter.
Craig tells the story of the way his wife Keline drifted into the racing game in Singapore and her current role with Carmody Racing.
I was deeply saddened to learn this morning (May 27th) of the sudden passing of Craig's mother Joan. The seventy eight year old was rushed to hospital over the weekend where severe gastroenteritis was immediately diagnosed. She responded favourably to treatment, and by Monday afternoon her condition had improved considerably. Joan suffered a sudden relapse on Tuesday afternoon and succumbed to this non Covid related illness shortly before 2pm.
My deepest sympathy to Craig and his siblings Robert, Greg, Gavin and Paula. Joan was a devoted grandmother of seven who loved nothing more than getting the entire family together whenever possible. This remarkable lady had worked for many years as a dance instructor, and was still staging concerts for her students as recently as 2019.
Joan was aware Craig's podcast was due to be posted this week, and would have been one of the first to download it. She was Craig's most ardent fan during his riding career, and that support continued into his new life as a trainer.
Joan touched a million hearts during her seventy eight years. May she rest in peace.
(Banner image courtesy Bradley Photographers - One of Craig’s sale ring bargains. $20,000 purchase Everage wins the listed Keith Mackay Quality Randwick 2013. The filly won $269,000.)
Image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics - Craig on the durable Stylish Century wins the 1989 Spring Champion Stakes.