Episode 603: Gavin Bedggood - Caulfield Cup win propels former jumps jockey onto racing’s biggest stage

Emotional scenes followed Kingswood’s super staying performance to win the Caulfield Cup. Trainer Gavin Bedggood brushed aside the tears to give credit to jockey John Allen and his dedicated Cranbourne staff. Special praise went to his fiancee and staunchest supporter Karen Flaherty. Gavin’s earliest ambition was to become a professional jockey and he actually gained an apprenticeship with Robbie Griffiths, but increasing weight soon put an end to his dream. He did the next best thing and rode for two years on the amateur circuit. This led him to a twelve year stint as a jumps jockey during which time he won a number of important races and got to ride three special horses.  Gavin battled to get his head around the fact that his success in one of Australia’s most famous races came just six years after his first professional training win at the Alexandra picnics. It’s a pleasure to welcome “Gr 1 Gav” to our podcast. He says he was pretty worried in the early stages at Caulfield when it was obvious Kingswood was three wide for the trip. He talks about Kingswood’s three race campaign in NZ over Xmas/New Year. Gavin says the import has been in top form this preparation but felt the firm ground in the Might And Power Stakes. The trainer says October 17th was good for the stable overall. Three other runners in Sydney and Melbourne got into the placings. He looks back on childhood days and the origins of his passion for racing. Gavin talks of his apprenticeship to Robbie Griffiths. He knew very early that his aspirations to become a professional “flat” jockey would be thwarted by increasing weight. He looks back on a rewarding two years as an amateur jockey, and his transition to jumps racing. He spent 12 years in that role during which time he won several major events and got to ride three special horses. Gavin talks of a short experiment as a jockey agent. He remembers his first win as a solo trainer with a horse gifted to him by the late Robbie Laing. The 40 year old pays special tribute to Just Folk, the online purchase destined to take him to stakes success. He continues to marvel at the ten year old’s attitude to racing. Gavin looks back on the stroke of good fortune that brought Mornington Glory into his life- the horse to take him to the elite level with a brilliant Moir Stakes win in 2024. Bedggood makes mention of a mare called No Effort- a quirky girl whose temperament was far from pleasant. He was able to win a Traralgon Cup and a Caulfield stakes race with the mare who carried the leopard print colours. Gavin gives a special shoutout to his dedicated stable staff with special mention of fiancee and staunchest supporter Karen Flaherty. The trainer says he can get a little testy when the pressure’s on but the staff have learned to work around him. He speaks with reverence of the famous Cranbourne training precinct. A laid back chat with a horseman who’s come a long way in a short time.