Episode 600: Ken Callander

To mark our 600th podcast post I’m delighted to welcome my former colleague and long time friend, the one and only Ken Callander. Now in retirement at a very sprightly 81, Ken is no longer a regular at the track but continues to observe every development in the industry and nobody watches more races on television than this eagle eyed racing tragic. What a career he had! Journalist, radio and TV presenter, punter, bookmaker, and racehorse owner. A unique style and a big personality endeared Ken to punters and racing fans all over Australia. He never lost touch with his humble start in life and he’s the same bloke today that he was more than seventy years ago when he was a regular visitor to his Aunt Bertha’s SP Betting Shop. Kenny begins by talking about his current role as an armchair jockey. He responds to the special honour of having a feature Randwick race named after himself and colleague Max Presnell. Ken takes us back to childhood days when he was introduced to the “buzz” of an inner Sydney SP betting shop. The veteran says he became skilled at an early age in several popular card games.  Ken says his mother Anne loved a day at the races and couldn’t resist a poker machine. The veteran says he went very close to being given a different christian name. He talks of his love of a game of “Two-Up” at a time when Sydney boasted a large number of venues. Our special podcast guest says he was born totally deaf in the right ear. He didn’t check again until age 50 when it cost a “wad” to find out nothing had changed. Ken looks back on courting days with his bride-to-be Helen Breen. He talks of the day in 1962 when he  walked into the Daily Mirror office and was hired as a copy boy. The popular racing identity pays tribute to some of the legendary racing writers he got to work with. Ken says he was humbled to be appointed Editor of the historic form publication Sportsman. He was in the job for several years. He clearly remembers the brief appearance on Ch 9’s Wide World Of Sports which would kick start his great media career. Ken says he enjoyed radio more than any other media involvement. He looks back on an unusual association with Kerry Packer. The “punt loving” mogul almost got Ken into hot water on one occasion. Ken says his bookmaking career began on the provincial circuit. He pays tribute to two special people who had a huge impact on his media career. Ken looks back on the tragic premature passing of son Matthew, a victim of brain cancer in 2017. He acknowledges the achievements of sons David, Richard and Steve. Kenny talks of the invasive facial tumour which gave him some anxious months in 2022. The affable racing identity speaks of his favourite racing writers, bookmakers and punters. There was a time when Ken rated Darren Beadman the best jockey he’d seen since George Moore. Let’s find out if that still applies. His choice of all time favourite horse might surprise a few. This is a very special podcast episode for me. The man I’m interviewing is every bit as special. A laid back chat with an iconic racing personality.