Freda Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: How long does "the gear" last? I assume apprentices start out with new gear rather than second hand gear which you would think would be provided by the trainer that the apprentice is indentured to. Depends on the amount of use it gets.  Mine, and most of those I knew back in the day had brand new gear. Some that had had very little use, such as a particular weight of saddle, might be 'second-hand' in the early stages of a young riders career,  but certainly not in poor condition. And they would always upgrade once they became busier. One trainer used to give the boys her credit card to go to Garrards and get what they needed. It was the rule then that trainers provided both gear and accommodation, and all costs when travelling. One of my lads used to take his girlfriend along too, it took me a wee while to click on to just why his accom. costs and/or plane fares were rather excessive! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 4 hours ago, Freda said: Depends on the amount of use it gets.  Mine, and most of those I knew back in the day had brand new gear. Some that had had very little use, such as a particular weight of saddle, might be 'second-hand' in the early stages of a young riders career,  but certainly not in poor condition. And they would always upgrade once they became busier. One trainer used to give the boys her credit card to go to Garrards and get what they needed. It was the rule then that trainers provided both gear and accommodation, and all costs when travelling. One of my lads used to take his girlfriend along too, it took me a wee while to click on to just why his accom. costs and/or plane fares were rather excessive! Sounds like a Kevin Morton or Leo Molloy trick! Was the Jockey any good? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 15 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Sounds like a Kevin Morton or Leo Molloy trick! Was the Jockey any good? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 No excuses for dodgy gear….should be fined bigtime if found to be in bad repair. They stop racing if the track looks like being a problem, yet look at this, far more dangerous.   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Gear can also break when new or faulty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: Gear can also break when new or faulty. Aware of that…. But in this case it was worn gear…. So no excuses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 19 minutes ago, Newmarket said: Aware of that…. But in this case it was worn gear…. So no excuses. It said sub-standard - how do you know it was worn? Could have been made in China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 14 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: It said sub-standard - how do you know it was worn? Could have been made in China. Yes. Who said it was worn? I didn't see or hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted Saturday at 04:56 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 04:56 AM Another on fell off today down south…. happens at least once a week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzenza365 Posted Monday at 07:15 PM Share Posted Monday at 07:15 PM On 1/02/2025 at 3:05 PM, Chief Stipe said: Sounds like a Kevin Morton or Leo Molloy trick! Was the Jockey any good? I will stop you right there.I was apprenticed to a hardman, we used to get apprentices that were wayward. If I was riding down South, the plan was to walk down the drive a 1km drive with my gear, wait until the Midland bus came along, this was at 6 pm arrive in Dunedin at midnight, Get a taxi to Wingatui arrive around 12.45, then get asked to ride work at 5 30,no breakfast,I normally had to run a sweat, then go to wherever and repeat the process to get home. The boss would give me $20 and ask for the change, It was a waste of time to tell him the bus was $30 each way. I will guess the jockey you refer to,J Bates  2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted Monday at 07:23 PM Share Posted Monday at 07:23 PM 8 minutes ago, muzenza365 said: I will stop you right there.I was apprenticed to a hardman, we used to get apprentices that were wayward. Haha. Were you one of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted Monday at 10:11 PM Share Posted Monday at 10:11 PM 2 hours ago, muzenza365 said: I will stop you right there.I was apprenticed to a hardman, we used to get apprentices that were wayward. If I was riding down South, the plan was to walk down the drive a 1km drive with my gear, wait until the Midland bus came along, this was at 6 pm arrive in Dunedin at midnight, Get a taxi to Wingatui arrive around 12.45, then get asked to ride work at 5 30,no breakfast,I normally had to run a sweat, then go to wherever and repeat the process to get home. The boss would give me $20 and ask for the change, It was a waste of time to tell him the bus was $30 each way. I will guess the jockey you refer to,J Bates  Actually, no, it was Andre Gillett! A wee story about Batesy...he was staying up the road with one D.Browne, and was late this particular morning. Not that that was unusual. I read him the whole nine yards...unreliable, letting people down, unfair to the others who CAN get here on time, life lessons..etc..etc.. He listened patiently to my tirade, and when I stopped for breath, pulled his hand from behind his back and presented me with a bunch of flowers. Sorry, mate, he said. What can one say to that? 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 10:20 PM Share Posted Monday at 10:20 PM 8 minutes ago, Freda said: He listened patiently to my tirade, and when I stopped for breath, pulled his hand from behind his back and presented me with a bunch of flowers. Sorry, mate, he said. What can one say to that? "Where's the vase?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted Monday at 11:21 PM Share Posted Monday at 11:21 PM I wonder where they came from. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 11:26 PM Share Posted Monday at 11:26 PM 19 minutes ago, Special Agent said: I wonder where they came from. Good point. @Freda are the Botannical Gardens between his flat and the racecourse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted yesterday at 05:02 AM Share Posted yesterday at 05:02 AM No, we reckon they came out of someone's garden along the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted yesterday at 05:05 AM Share Posted yesterday at 05:05 AM Full credit for initiative. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzenza365 Posted 12 hours ago Share Posted 12 hours ago 23 hours ago, curious said: Haha. Were you one of them? Hell no, after 6 months working there, I would always bow to the boss but had to run beside him to do that. I thought that if there was a place on Earth called Hell, it was Riccarton Stud and I spent 6 years in Hell. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted 10 hours ago Share Posted 10 hours ago 2 hours ago, muzenza365 said: Hell no, after 6 months working there, I would always bow to the boss but had to run beside him to do that. I thought that if there was a place on Earth called Hell, it was Riccarton Stud and I spent 6 years in Hell. Look at the character it built..🤣🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted 2 hours ago Author Share Posted 2 hours ago And another one parted company in the last today at Te Aroha…. more regular now, maybe 2 a week. This thread will be interesting looking back… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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