Monday, 28 November 2005: Moree-based veteran Danny Frahm can lay claim to being the oldest active jockey in Australia - but only by a matter of weeks over Victoria's evergreen Neville Wilson.
 | Neville Wilson
Photo by Bronwen Healy | |
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The debate over who is the oldest active TAB jockey in Australia has been settled as Frahm celebrated his 59th birthday on September 21 while Wilson turned 59 in early November.
The veteran pair are recognised as the oldest jockeys riding at TAB meetings in Australia.
Frahm, who began riding in races when he was 14 and has ridden more than 1500 winners, is going stronger than ever in the north-west of NSW.
He has posted four winners this season and is so keen about his riding that he recently accepted an offer of a riding contract in New Caledonia next year.
Frahm rode successfully in New Caledonia in the 1980s and will return next year to ride exclusively for leading trainer Claude Lafleur.
Frahm, who rode a long list of winners for Lafleur on his previous visits, met his wife Mirielle in New Caledonia when riding horses owned by her family.
“I could be there for between five and eight months,” Frahm said.
“I’m not getting any younger, so this will probably be my last chance to do it."
Frahm, who prides himself on his fitness, will enjoy the break from trekking around dusty country race meetings three or four times a week as they race only once every 14 days in New Caledonia.
“Racing in New Caledonia has really gone ahead and the earnings there are pretty much the same as here," said Frahm, who continually returns to the saddle despite suffering numerous injuries.
Many believed Frahm may have been forced into retirement when he fractured his left leg in a barrier accident at the Coonamble Gold Cup meeting in 2003.
He suffered a broken tibia below the knee and had pins inserted in his leg but returned to saddle as soon as he had the pins removed.
It was the same leg Frahm broke in a previous fall at Coffs Harbour and added to his other injuries over the years that have included a fractured right leg, broken neck, ribs, nose, and broken wrists several times.
He also had a kidney removed after one accident.
In Victoria Wilson is just as well known as a western districts dairy farmer as he is a jockey.
He milks up to 100 cows a morning at his Camperdown farm before setting off for a day of race riding.
Frahm got the jump on Wilson as an apprentice as he rode his first winner in 1960 when he was only 14, two years before the Victorian got his first win on the board.
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 | | Posted by gil, on 19-11-2011 4:14:29 PM
my cousin RV TORRES WAS THE OLDEST JOCKEY IN THE USA AGE 60 ”
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| | Posted by Wayne , on 21-9-2011 1:01:09 AM
Gee whiz --I probably backed one of his eary winners at Doomben in the 70''s or maybe one at the creek i.e. Albion Park sand track --Danny Frahm was a good jockey around the sand circuit. Where does Tont Erhart rate --he must be up there
Wayne ”
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| | Posted by Judy McInnes, on 26-5-2011 11:43:22 AM
I believe the oldest S A jockey is to turn 100 years old next month. Who is it? ”
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| | Posted by Garry Robinson, on 15-4-2010 1:19:52 PM
Lyle Weaver is the oldest jockey riding he is 75 and rode at Newcastle last week. ”
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| | Posted by Merrick, on 5-1-2010 12:41:16 PM
Whether you ride in one race every year or 20, if you are registered then you are the oldest jockey currently riding.
Lyle Weaver takes the prize. ”
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| | Posted by craig , on 27-10-2009 11:27:48 AM
How old is Tony Erhardt? ”
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| | Posted by Pegasus, on 12-8-2009 5:47:46 PM
Lyle Weaver is the oldest but he has ridden in no more than 20 races in the last 10 years and his recent race at Musewellbrook was his first in 12 months. Still ita a great accomplishment to be still riding trackwork and trials regularly.
Danny Frahm, who I think is now 62 or 63, would be the oldest rider in NSW competing regularly week to week. ”
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| | Posted by Chris Scholtz, on 12-8-2009 5:47:21 PM
Lyle Weaver is the oldest but he has ridden in no more than 20 races in the last 10 years and his recent race at Musewellbrook was his first in 12 months. Still ita a great accomplishment to be still riding trackwork and trials regularly.
Danny Frahm, who I think is now 62 or 63, would be the oldest rider in NSW competing regularly week to week.
”
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| | Posted by Chris Scholtz, on 12-8-2009 5:44:33 PM
Lyle Weaver would easily be the oldest but he rides rarely more than once or twice a year. He rides work and trials regularly but that recent recent race ride at Muswellbrook was his first for 12 months and he has had no more than 20 race rides in 10 years. It''s a great accomplishment to be still riding in trials and trackwork regularly at his age let alone the rare ride in a race!
Danny Frahm, who I think is now 62 or 63, would be the oldest competing regularly in NSW week to week.
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| | Posted by Allan Adamson, on 12-8-2009 11:57:41 AM
Could you please check records of oldest licensed jockey in NSW possibly Australia.
Lyle Weaver is still riding for Paul Perry at
Broadmeadow aged 73 ”
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