Matt Stewart

Three brothers have embarked on an epic road trip with their horses to this week’s Birdsville races, ticking off a bucket-list item. The lesson from their own hometown is that you can never take for granted racing will be there forever.

The recent death of Jock McArthur, a former steeplechase jockey, raconteur, and the man behind the infamous and short-lived Meningoort Cup, held special significance for Matt Stewart.

Part-owner Neil Werrett was heartbroken when Black Caviar died 12 months ago, but the continued success of her remarkable family has been some solace for he and the crew of friends who raced the unbeaten superstar.

Michael Freedman was still in high school when the Freedman brothers emerged as a new force in Australian racing. Forty years later, the youngest Freedman is driving the latest chapter, with the help of his new assistant, Hall of Fame brother Lee.

From jockey to shearer to trainer to his home state’s Hall of Fame, Tony McEvoy has traversed the country in a 50-year career that will be honoured by the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame. He reflected on his racing journey with Matt Stewart.

New names at the top of racing premierships around Australia are a pointer to how the face of the sport is changing in Australia, writes Matt Stewart.

Leon Corstens is one of the remaining active links to a legendary Flemington era, which has his old boss, Bart Cummings, at its centre. At 80, he is still a key background figure, now in the resurgence of fortunes of the stable he shares with his son Troy, and Will Larkin.