It’s no surprise Reg Paine’s grandson, Adam Hyeronimus, is one of Sydney’s most popular jockeys.
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All you have to do is look at Paine’s 38-year racing career in country NSW for which he recently received recognition.
At the NSW Country and Provincial Racing Awards on September 29, held at the Four Season Hotel in Sydney, Paine was presented a Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to NSW Country Racing by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Marc Van Gestel.
The recognition includes his work for the past 30 years as clerk of the scales on the Cowra Jockey Club committee.
“It was quite a surprise really,” Paine said.
Growing up in Coffs Harbour, Paine, who recently turned 80, moved to Sydney as a teenager when his father, a bookmaker, set up an apprenticeship under the care of Bert Bellingham at Randwick. The year was 1952 and Paine was only 14 years old.
“It was tough moving away at 14,” Paine said.
“I was one of 13 children. We had a farm. I always liked horses.”
Bellingham retired after Paine completed his six year apprenticeship, and the young hoop, now 18 years old and the year’s 1958, took an offer to ride two horses at a meeting at Cowra.
Paine steered both to victory and he was asked to ride the pair again for their next appearances which would be at Parkes.
Paine returned to Sydney, cut his ties with Bellingham and moved to Cowra where he lived at the Aussie Hotel for almost four months.
He chalked up the two wins at Parkes and trainer Bill Dunbier, who was in the process of forming a team of horses, asked Paine to ride for his stable regularly – sparking Paine’s country racing career which would result in more than 1000 winners.
Paine, on his arrival to Cowra in 1958, said he learnt a lot about country riding from one of the best in the bush at the time – Jack Naughton.
“I was a bit green when I came to the bush. Jack taught me a lot,” he said.
“I went on to ride against some top jockeys at the time. Merv Singho, Ned Dougherty, Matey Molloy, Keith Ashton, Ray Jones.”
Paine identified Cowra trainer Doug Spence as the “best I rode for” and Frangus and Jen’s Idol the two best horses he went onboard.
Frangus was trained in Cowra by Lyn Twigg while Jen’s Idol, a mare Paine won nine straight with, was based in Grenfell under the care of Bill Murphy.
Paine also mentioned Grecian Lustre, Greg’s King, Idle Bye and Prince Morgan as some of the best horses he linked with.
After 38 years of racing, and at the age of 52, Paine retired from racing with 1038 winners to his name – including most country cups.
He said a highlight was riding seven winners from eight rides during a two day Easter Carnival at Cowra.
Now aged 80, and still the clerk of the scales on race day at the Cowra Jockey Club, he’s dedicated 62 years of service to country and provincial racing in NSW.
Remarkably, Paine still lives in the house he and his wife Rose built on Redfern Street back in 1964.
Racing photos on most walls capturing either Paine himself, his sons Neil, Rodney or grandson Adam at the track highlight the influence racing’s had on his life.
His grandson Adam rides regularly for leading Sydney-based trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Neil, a former top Sydney jockey, is Waterhouse and Bott’s foreman and Rodney is a jockey’s valet in New York.
Paine said all three had “natural” ability.
“They were quite natural. I gave them all and still give pointers but they’re natural jockeys,” he said.
“I watch every race of Adam’s and pick out little things I notice and comment. But he’s quite natural.”
As well as his role with the Cowra Jockey Club, Paine’s remained involved in the industry through syndicate ownership with Hancox Bloodstook. “It’s all about the enjoyment of having them,” he said.
This Saturday, Paine said he will be watching grandson Adam in action at Royal Randwick.
Adam will be looking to convert seven rides into a few victories on the nine race program.
Cowra features-
- Two Cowra Cups
- Five Newmarket winners
- Three Diggers Cups
- Invitational Stakes
Other features-
- Seven Wellington Cups
- Three Bathurst Cups
- Three Forbes Cups
- Three Mudgee Cups
- Three Grenfell Cups
- Nyngan Cup
- Dubbo Cup
- Canberra Cup
- Wagga Town Plate
In total, 1038 winners including 36 trebles and on 13 occasions he rode four winners.