Racing in Macau stopped six months ago but former trainer Geoff Allendorf still goes to the stables every morning, just like he has since childhood, taking care of his horses.
Allendorf’s three decades-plus career in Asian racing ended when the Macau Jockey Club ran its last races on March 30 this year but Allendorf remains here on a promise to owners and through his own love of horses.
“The owners all went into a panic because they love their horses,” Allendorf told the Idol Horse Podcast. “So I said to them, I'll guarantee I will stay in the Macau Jockey Club (MJC) until your horse leaves Macau.”
We also ask Geoff about his career as a talented jockey and trainer – his journey from a childhood in far North Queensland to top trainer Macau is one of the more interesting in world racing. Geoff is a great character and storyteller. He was riding trackwork at 12, he was an apprentice in a golden era of Sydney racing, he rode in the colourful Hong Kong scene in the late 80s and won three jockeys’ premierships in Macau during the 1990s. We also ask geoff abou the day he nearly beat the mighty Kingston Town at Rosehill. All that and more on the Idol Horse Podcast.
01:02 The Promise: Geoff Allendorf's Commitment to his Owners and Their Horses
04:29 Lessons from Macau Racing's Decline
06:52 Memories of a Thriving Racing Era
07:50 The Greats of Hong Kong Racing and What Made Tony Cruz So Good?
09:18 "The X Factor" Jockeys and Trainers
12:40 Nearly Beating a Legend: Kingston Town
14:34 Life After Training: What's Next for Geoff?