It came as a surprise recently to learn that I hadn’t interviewed Scott Seamer since 2003 when he flew from Ballina to be a guest on Sky’s Inside Racing programme. At the time of the interview the former northern rivers jockey had posted an amazing 15 Gr wins in two years following on from a Queensland Oaks victory on Ethereal in 2001. A few months later Scott landed the coveted Caulfield and Melbourne double on the same wonderful staying mare. Since quitting the saddle in 2011 the former ace jockey has joined the ran...
It came as a surprise recently to learn that I hadn’t interviewed Scott Seamer since 2003 when he flew from Ballina to be a guest on Sky’s Inside Racing programme. At the time of the interview the former northern rivers jockey had posted an amazing 15 Gr wins in two years following on from a Queensland Oaks victory on Ethereal in 2001. A few months later Scott landed the coveted Caulfield and Melbourne double on the same wonderful staying mare. Since quitting the saddle in 2011 the former ace jockey has joined the ranks of Australia’s commercial breeders. I was delighted he was able to find the time to join us on our regular racing podcast and equally delighted to find him in reminiscent mood. Scott was thrilled to see Ethereal’s trainer Sheila Laxon win her second Melbourne Cup with Knight’s Choice in November.
He talks about the transformation of his Fernleigh property from a macadamia farm to commercial breeding enterprise.
Scott says his first duty as a breeder was to find the right foundation mare. He’s now breeding from four of her daughters.
He talks of his breeding share in a high profile Queensland stallion.
The multiple Gr 1 winning jockey previews his four horse draft being prepared for the Inglis Classic Sale in February.
Scott remembers his unhappy departure from race riding at Doomben in late 2011.
He takes us back to his first time on a racecourse in the late 1970’s. He tagged along with his mother and stepfather to a Bowraville meeting, and was instantly hooked.
Scott looks back on a stablehand’s job with Coffs Harbour trainer John Hennessy, and the offer of an apprenticeship from Grafton trainer Ron Gosling.
Very clear in his memory is the occasion of his first race ride at Lismore. He tipped the scales at 32 kgs.
Scott talks of his thrilling first win at Casino and the transition to a metropolitan win at Eagle Farm in 1987.
He pays tribute to Protester, the genuine bush galloper who gave him an amazing twenty wins.
The former ace jockey looks back on his relocation from the northern rivers to Glen Innes. He enjoyed a very successful five years from his tablelands base, and forged an association with a champion country trainer.
Scott talks of his decision to give Brisbane racing a serious shot. He was encouraged to make the move by outstanding jockey manager Trevor Lansky who brought him unexpected opportunities.
Seamer talks of Ethereal’s outstanding win in the Queensland Oaks. She came with the barnstorming finish destined to become her trademark.
He admits to chasing the ride on the bonny mare when she resumed in NZ in the spring of 2001. He offered to pay his own way across the ditch.
Scott recalls his tense battle with Sky Heights in the Caulfield Cup, and the wet weather leading up to the Melbourne Cup. He takes us through Ethereal’s brilliant Cup win.
He talks about a McKinnon Stakes win on Derby day.
Thanks to his new NZ connections Scott was able to land some plum rides over the 2001 Auckland summer carnival. He looks back on a memorable Derby/Oaks double at Ellerslie.
The former jockey started the new year with a bang winning the Magic Millions on Lovely Jubly. He recalls the race.
Scott remembers a successful autumn carnival in Melbourne highlighted by wins in the C.F Orr and Australian Guineas.
The former talented horseman still shakes his head when he thinks about a four win haul on Golden Slipper day 2002- two Gr 2’s and two Gr 1’s. He remembers the wins by Ethereal and Calaway Gal.
Seamer’s dazzling autumn win sequence earned him a short term contract in Hong Kong. He later wished that invitation hadn’t arrived. He fractured two vertebrae in a nasty fall and was out of action for several months.
Up to this point in time, Scott had been treated very kindly by the racing media. That changed when he was beaten on Bel Esprit in the Manikato Stakes. He handled it philosophically.
He says he felt the need to make a statement when the 2003 autumn carnival got under way in Sydney. He made the best kind of statement by winning the Australian Derby on Clangalang with a 10/10 ride.
The former jockey talks of another Derby win a short time later. He was thrilled to win the Queensland Derby for Bede Murray on Half Hennessy.
Scott talks of another Gr 1 win at the same carnival on Picaday in the T. J Smith Classic.
He says he was delighted to win the 2004 Epsom for Tulloch Lodge on Desert War.
Scott looks back on his final Gr 1 victory. He made the trip back to NZ to win another Derby on Coniston Bluebird for the late Bede Murray.
The jockey turned commercial breeder pays a heartfelt tribute to Louise, his wife of twenty nine years and to twenty one year old daughter Caitlin who’s currently chasing a Uni degree in Business and Law.
This is a laid back chat with a former jockey whose story is an inspirational one. The tiny northern rivers apprentice who dared to dream. He worked hard and didn’t squander a single opportunity. His emergence to ride 22 Gr 1 winners is one of Australian racing’s most endearing tales. You’ll enjoy our trip down memory lane with Scott Seamer.
