Sandy Tait makes the long trek from Gundagai whenever his horses race in Sydney - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Great to catch up with one of Australian racing’s most respected figures. Sandy speaks to us from Gunnong-Jugrawah, the family property near Gundagai where all of the Tait champions first saw the light of day. Please note this interview was recorded on Sunday Feb 7th prior to Cherry Tortoni racing in the C.S.Hayes at Flemington in which he finished fourth.
Sandy begins by summarising the career thus far of the promising Cherry Tortoni, the most recent metropolitan winner to carry the famous red and white silks.
He takes us back to a sprinter called Stirrup Cup who wasn’t an elite performer but a genuine little sprinter whose flashy markings made him a crowd favourite in the 1950’s.
Sandy shares his memories of Fil Allotta, the talented Randwick trainer who prepared horses owned by his parents for almost four decades.
The popular owner talks of Dark Jewel’s lacklustre racing career. Nobody in the family expected her to reach such dizzy heights as a broodmare.
Sandy acknowledges all of Dark Jewel’s winning foals with special emphasis on elite performers Cabochon and Baguette.
Daisy Tait who died in the early 90’s became very well known for her imaginative naming of family horses. Sandy remembers her efforts in the pre Google era.
He pays tribute to Neville Begg who became the family trainer when Fil Allotta retired in the early 80’s.
Sandy talks of one of his favourites, the brilliant mare Spinning Hill - yet another descendant of Dark Jewel.
We leave racehorses briefly to talk of Sandy’s achievements on the polo field.
He speaks with great warmth of the horse who gave him and sister Jill the ride of a lifetime. He still can’t believe Tie The Knot won 21 races for $6.2 million in prize money. Those wins included thirteen at Gr 1 level.
Sandy pays the most heartfelt of tributes to Tie the Knot’s trainer Guy Walter.
The dedicated racing man talks of his sister Jill and sons Ollie and James. Ollie and his wife Amber run the beautifully appointed Twin Hills Stud near Cootamundra. They are emerging as very serious commercial breeders. James runs the property for his father, and doubles as Sky Racing’s Southern Districts race caller.
Sandy and Jill enjoy racing a few horses in the Riverina. Sandy acknowledges the efforts of his local trainer Tim Donnelly.
(Banner image - Sandy and his sister Jill enjoyed a wonderful ride with Tie The Knot. Here they are after the 1999 Mercedes Classic - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
An old press photograph of Dark Jewel (Stan Cassidy) defeating Waleska (Ted Doon - outside) and Heavenly Star (Tom Mullane) in a Canterbury 2YO Maiden 1955 - one of 3 race wins for the future broodmare gem.
A Sky Racing interview with Jill Nivison after Tie The Knot’s win in the 1999 Mercedes Classic - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
One of Sandy’s favourites Spinning Hill (Pat Payne) wins the 2001 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Shane Dye won 13 races on Tie The Knot including 9 Gr. 1s. They combined to win the 1999 Sydney Cup by an amazing 6 lengths courtesy - Steve Hart Photographics.
Sandy is interviewed by the late Caryl Williamson after one of Tie The Knot’s Rosehill wins - courtesy Bradley Photographers.