Episode 430: Michael Cahill

John Tapp Racing

Michael Cahill had his first race ride on Red Affro at an obscure race meeting at Gooloogong in 1979. The horse ran second but Michael says he was beaten by pilot error. Since then he’s ridden with great skill to land a stunning total of 2600 winners in 4 jurisdictions. He’s coming up 59, and would love to ride in races until age 60. In our recent interview he talks about the style his late father Ossie helped him to develop during his apprenticeship at Cowra.

Michael explains his reason for wearing two sets of goggles when riding in races.

He says rides are still plentiful but the good opportunities are not what they used to be.

Michael looks back on a simple fall on the Sunny Coast in December 2021 which sidelined him for seven months. Remarkably he rode a winner at Doomben on his first day back.

He says he had a good run for nine months before another race fall halted his progress. This time he was back in a month.

Michael takes us back to early days at Cowra NSW when he and brother Matthew were apprenticed to their father Ossie. He says their careers were carefully guided.

The talented jockey has never forgotten the occasion of his first race win at Orange on Melbourne Cup day 1980.

He reflects on the dedication of his mother Margaret who had the job of driving him to race meetings all over the western districts.

Michael talks of his sister Kathryn who combines her day job with the training of a small team of horses.

The veteran jockey pays a final tribute to his father.

He recalls a win at Canterbury on a Cowra trained horse which led to an approach from a very high profile trainer.

Michael looks back on the highs and lows of his short stint in Sydney.

He looks back on his two and a half years as track rider and race jockey for media icon Mike Willesee based at the Transmedia Park Stud at Cootamundra.

Not surprisingly Michael came under the notice of the late Richard Freyer who had attained legendary status in the Riverina. He took the job and rode 70 winners in 18 months for the Freyer stable.

Tired of bitterly cold winters, Michael jumped at the opportunity to ride at the Grafton and Coffs Harbour carnivals. He says the warmer climate changed his future plans.

He looks back on a surprise offer from leading Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan.

Michael says he changed direction again when Gerald Ryan offered him a plum job on the Gold Coast.

The jockey talks of his marriage to former English riding instructor Maxine Harris.

He looks back on his first overseas riding contract in Singapore, and pays tribute to some top NZ jockeys who were there at the same time.

Michael pays tribute to the brilliant Falvelon. He has no doubt the son of Alannon was the fastest horse he’s ever ridden.

Soon after his Doomben $10,000 win on Falvelon Michael accepted an offer to ride in Hong Kong. He talks of a first up win for John Moore.

The jockey looks back on the circumstances that took him to Macau where he enjoyed a golden run.

Michael talks of his Brisbane premiership win, and a narrow defeat in another.

He talks of a Stradbroke win in 2005 for his great supporter Bevan Laming.

Michael remembers wins in a Magic Millions 2YO Classic and a Winter Stakes now known as the Tatts Tiara.

He remembers his nine rides on Victorian stayer Natural Blitz for trainer Doug Harrison.

Michael talks of his association with NZ trainer Tony Pike which brought him a five win sequence on The Bostonian.

The jockey reflects on a couple of stakes wins in Sydney, and a long list of Queensland black type wins.

Michael talks of younger brother Matthew’s recent return from injury.

Former jockey Shane Dye has been very vocal lately about modern day jockey safety vests. He believes there are flaws in the design and Michael agrees with him.

Michael speaks fondly of daughter Amelia and son Harry who is just now showing signs of wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps.

He closes with mention of his ambition to ride until age 60.