Episode 582: Simon Price - South Australia has produced a long line of top jockeys. Simon Price is high on the list.

Simon Price, a 55-year-old legend of South Australian jockeying with nearly 2,000 career wins, reflects on a career defined by resilience, loyalty, and an unshakable love for horses. Despite retiring from race riding five years ago, he remains deeply embedded in the industry—riding track work, mentoring young jockeys, and even working in landscaping to stay fit and grounded. His journey began on a pony behind his childhood home in Brahma Lodge, sparked by a chance encounter with a friend’s horse, and was shaped by the mentorship of the late Peter Hayes. Price recounts unforgettable highs: riding the resilient Three Crown to a Group 1 win in Singapore before a heartbreaking Melbourne Cup injury, guiding elite horses like Fields of Omar and La Baraka to victory, and winning back-to-back South Australian Oaks with Cheron Tessa and Miss Margaret. He speaks candidly about the physical toll of the sport—breaking bones repeatedly, surviving falls, and the constant risk—yet credits his longevity to never compromising on safety and always protecting his head and spine. Now, he’s a devoted father and grandfather, with two accomplished jockey sons, Will and Ben, and finds joy in passing on wisdom rather than chasing glory. His story is a tribute to South Australia’s enduring legacy of jockey excellence and the quiet dignity of a life lived in service to the horse.