5th & 6th September 2008

Faces of the Races

Josh Fleming - Race Caller

Josh Fleming’s first interest in racing began when he used to listen to the races as a young boy with his grandparents. His first ‘real’ experience of the races didn’t came until he was ten, when he went to the races at Eagle Farm in Brisbane with his family. Four years later in December 1998, after turning fourteen only three weeks earlier, Josh Fleming called his first race meeting in Longreach, Queensland. 

After officiating at many carnivals in central and south west Queensland he found his way to the famous Birdsville Races only 9 months later. Whilst he admits there was ‘a bit more pressure on him’ the young fourteen year old took it all in his stride. Calling the home town favourite Dimurta to a Birdsville Cup win in 1999, stands out as one of the best races he has ever called. “The expectation was there, everyone wanted it to win…I still watch the tape”. 

When asked of the best horse he’s seen the reply was simple “Golden Eye”, carrying 71.5kg the horse raced away taking out the VB Open Handicap in 2003. And the funniest moment…“When Rodney Hammond fell off while parading after winning the 2001 Birdsville Cup, that was funny”. 

To Josh there isn’t much wrong with Birdsville, maybe the occasional dust storm or two, but with a big crowd, a famous race meeting and plenty of people to catch up with, it sounds as though he still has a few more up his sleeve. For now though he finds himself in Sydney at Sky Channel doing his best, week in week out. And for the future? He pauses “Calling the Stradbroke would be nice or maybe…the magic millions…”