Episode 493: Josh Fleming - The Voice of Sky Racing in South East Queensland

I first met Josh Fleming when he visited the Sky Studios with family members in 2000. He was just 15 at the time, but already a professional race caller in Queensland. He’d debuted at Longreach a year earlier and had subsequently called the action at several far flung tracks. He was too young to take part in Sky’s first “young race caller scholarship” but landed a job in his own right three years later. He’s come a long way from that nervous start at Longreach, and the story makes for an interesting podcast. Josh recalls that brief visit to the Sky studios almost 25 years ago.

He pays tribute to the grandmother who lived long enough to see him make his race calling debut.

Josh cherishes memories of his meeting with the late Graham McNeice on that Sunday morning in 2000.

The 39 year old calls regularly from Doomben, Eagle Farm and the Sunny Coast. He rates the popular tracks.

Josh has just returned from his 21st visit to the Birdsville Cup. He talks of the unique two day carnival on the edge of the Simpson Desert.

He says he was horrified in 1995 when his school teacher mother Alison announced her transfer to Barcaldine 1000 kms from his beloved Brisbane. 

Josh talks of his friendship with stipendiary steward John Wallace who took him to several outback meetings, and was instrumental in getting him the Longreach “gig”.

His debut was impressive enough to generate a few more race calling opportunities in the region.

It was back to Brisbane in 2001 and some work experience at 4TAB.

Josh looks back on his many “practice” calls at Doomben and Eagle Farm. He had invaluable input from Wayne Wilson and Alan Thomas.

The dedicated broadcaster remembers with affection the beginning of his Sydney role with Skychannel. He was ust 18.

Josh looks back on the experience he gained on provincial and country tracks. He seized the opportunity to cover city meetings for three months on Sky Racing Radio. He has some precious memories from that chapter in his career.

He was thrilled to be offered the full time Brisbane role when Alan Thomas decided to pull up stumps. He’s never forgotten Alan’s final day on the Gold Coast.

Two weeks after Alan’s retirement Josh got to cover the Magic Millions meeting- a $10 million dollar race day. He called the easy win by Capitalist.

Josh got a bonus on the day when he called the great sprinter Buffering in a $1 million dollar race.

He remembers the special day in 2008 when he met his future wife Gabrielle at a Queensland picnic race meeting.

Josh speaks with pride and affection about his two children Olivia and Jackson.

He chooses to live in the picturesque Darling Downs township of Warwick. Josh says he doesn’t mind the travel involved.

To say he was born to be a race caller might seem to be a fanciful phrase- in Josh Fleming’s case the old cliche holds true.