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We've had several emails lately enquiring about Jim Byrne's future plans. He was missing in action for the latter half of 2024 and has been relatively quiet since returning to the saddle. We haven't had Jim on the podcast for close to five years. The time is right to catch up with one of Queensland's best ever jockeys. Jim begins by talking about Michael Cahill's recent farewell meeting on the Gold Coast, but makes it clear he's not yet ready to follow suit. He talks of his departure from the riding ranks in late 2023, a break he was badly needing. Jim says he was relatively injury free for the first half of his long riding career. He says most of his troubles began in 2019 when he was dislodged from a young horse after a track gallop. He says he was unaware of the extent of the damage. It was two weeks later when he virtually lost the use of his right arm during a two year old race at Eagle Farm. Jim admits to being a very bad patient during long injury layoffs. The champion jockey recalls the wonderful trot he was enjoying in late 2019 when involved in a freakish fall after passing the post at Doomben. More surgery followed. He was barely back in the saddle when he came down with a golden staph infection in one elbow. He also needed minor surgery when one of the screws holding a knee plate suddenly slipped out of alignment. Jim finally got on a trouble free run and the winners were flowing again. He was lucky enough to form an association with the brilliant Rothfire. His five wins on the horse included the Gr 1 J.J Atkins. Around the same time Byrne teamed up with the brilliant Apache Chase. One of his six wins on the horse came in the Gr 1 Kingsford Smith Cup. The jockey was especially thrilled to win the feature race for longtime supporter Desleigh Forster. The veteran jockey talks of his apprenticeship to the highly respected Pat Duff whose recent passing saddened the Queensland racing industry. Jim hasn't forgotten the name of his first winner at Beaudesert but the trainer's name has slipped his memory. He talks of his first ever metropolitan win on the Noel Doyle trained White Hope. Jim has no doubt a win in the Gr 3 Lightning Hcp at Eagle Farm was the one to bring him under notice as an emerging talent. He delights in reflecting on his 13 rides on the Newcastle trained Adam, the first of them resulting in a narrow defeat in the Doomben $10,000. He looks back on his homestretch duel with Michael Pelling on Laurie's Lottery. He even threw in a protest. The jockey pays tribute to Adam's trainer Ray Brock. Jim then looks back on his first Gr 1 win- a thrilling Stradbroke victory on Adam. He remembers a Sydney Gr 2 win on the genuine stallion and several placings in elite company. Jim looks back on a brief association with brilliant grey filly Gold Edition. The daughter of Lion Hunter gave the jockey two wins at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week in 2006. He looks back on a surprise “pick up” ride in 2008 which gave him an unexpected win in the time honoured Queensland Derby. Jim was often a “go-to” jockey for interstate trainers taking horses to the Brisbane winter carnival. He remembers with affection a brief but exciting partnership with Redzel which produced an all the way win in the Doomben $10,000. He talks of a Ramornie Hcp win at Grafton for the Snowden stable. Jim has fond memories of a Gr 2 Hill Stakes win on Desert War for the Waterhouse stable. The ace rider reflects on his association with the dynamic sprinter General Nediym. He says the horse was probably past his best, but still very effective at the top level. Jim has been quietly planning his life after racing for several years. He and wife Rhamie are developing a very workable saddlery shop in the basement of their Brisbane home. Rhamie is emerging as a Group 1 seamstress. The veteran jockey pays a much deserved tribute to his wife of 30 years. Jim brings us up to date with the current progress of his four kids, Corey, Georgia, Madison and Lachlan. Jim Byrne has a legion of fans in the Sunshine State. They'll be delighted to hear from the four time Brisbane premiership winner.
Eliza Callaghan served in the Royal Australian Navy, and took her holidays to coincide with country race meetings. From the middle of the ocean to remote Queensland, because she loves racing. Growing up helping her Pop, Ilfracombe trainer Boy Forster, Eliza knew from a young age she wanted to be involved in the racing industry, and started learning the race day ropes early. Owning and strapping is where Eliza has found her niche, with New York World currently racing in her colours at country tracks. And... Eliza is also the only** country strapper to have also strapped a Group One winner! **not fact checked :) Eliza lead Apache Chase for his Kingsford Smith Cup win in 2022 for Aunty and trainer Desleigh Forster. More Than Mail is proudly brought to you by Brodie Agencies, McKinlay. Contact Jim Brodie on 0427468713. You can follow More Than Mail adventures on Instagram, on Facebook, or at morethanmail.com.au Or, you can send me an email hello@morethanmail.com.au
We catch up with Mike Sherrin from Sheralee Estate and owner of Apache Chase. The Group 1 champion is the first horse to be announced as a contender for the inaugural Mort & Co King Of The Mountain race on New Year's Eve at Clifford Park. Trained by Desleigh Forster, Apache Chase is no stranger to Clifford Park, having won the 2021 Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood and, more recently, claiming Group 1 success in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm before being announced Queensland Horse of the Year at the 2022 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.
Desleigh talks about her 5yo gelding APACHE CHASE running in the Hunter on Saturday plus other runners at Newcastle this weekend
Desleigh talks about Apache Chase
Peter Moody and his old mate Desleigh Forster join Michael for a chat ahead of Stradbroke weekend where Des will be looking to take out the feature with Apache Chase
Desleigh Forster joins Pat and Mark Braybrook to talk about her Group 1 success with Apache Chase
Pat & Heals full show with French Open update with Brett Phillips, NRL with Katie Brown, interviews with Desleigh Forster and Tayla Harris and plenty more
Desleigh Forster joined Warren Huntly to reflect on the win of Apache Chase in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup.
QLD Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Andrew Bensley to chat not only about her runners today at Eagle Farm, but also about her very handy galloper APACHE CHASE.
The Everest style race in Rockhampton 'The Archer' has many people talking, Apache Chase heading that way. We hear details from Bill Reid, Chairman of the Rockhampton Amateurs Racing Club.
Steve Hewlett is joined by Desleigh Forster and she explains her reason why she elected to run Apache Chase in the 1400m Cup and not the QTIS race on the weekend.
Desleigh Forster previews the chances of her stable star and dominant last start The Gateway winner Apache Chase ahead of Saturday's Magic Millions The Buffering at Doomben.
Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Chris Nelson to chat following a successful Saturday at Eagle Farm, highlighted by the dominant win of APACHE CHASE.
Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Chris Nelson to chat following a successful Saturday at Eagle Farm, highlighted by the dominant win of APACHE CHASE.
Desleigh Forster saddled up Apache Chase, who secured a ballot exempt start in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap via his victory in The Gateway at Eagle Farm
Has Georges Pride and Apache Chase engaged today
The Punter's Mate interview with Apache Chase trainer Desleigh Forster
Chris Nelson and Mark Braybrook with all the latest racing for Qld and more with interviews with Apache Chase trainer, Desleigh Forster and Sir Warwick trainer Jake Capewell
QLD Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Andrew Bensley to chat about her stable star APACHE CHASE ahead of his run in Saturday's Golden Eagle.
Jockey Jim Byrne joins Andrew Bensley to chat about the performance of APACHE CHASE at Eagle Farm on the weekend. He also discusses his chances in the Golden Eagle in a couple of weeks.
QLD Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Andrew Bensley to bring us up-to-date on her star galloper APACHE CHASE who heads to races in Sydney this Saturday.
QLD Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Andrew Bensley to bring us up-to-date on her star galloper APACHE CHASE who heads to races in Sydney this Saturday.
QLD Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Andrew Bensley to chat about her promising filly Georgie's Pride who heads to Eagle Farm on Saturday. She also gives us an update on Apache Chase after winning the Fred Best Classic on Saturday on-route to a start in next week's Stradbroke Handicap.
QLD Trainer Desleigh Forster joins Andrew Bensley to chat about her promising filly Georgie's Pride who heads to Eagle Farm on Saturday. She also gives us an update on Apache Chase after winning the Fred Best Classic on Saturday on-route to a start in next week's Stradbroke Handicap.
Jockey Jim Byrne joins Andrew Bensley to chat about his rides at this morning's Gold Coast barrier trials. We also recap the tough win of Apache Chase in Saturday's Fred Best Classic, downing the red-hot favourite Ayrton.
Jockey Jim Byrne joins Andrew Bensley to chat about his rides at this morning's Gold Coast barrier trials. We also recap the tough win of Apache Chase in Saturday's Fred Best Classic, downing the red-hot favourite Ayrton.