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Whateley

John Hawkes | Grand Larceny wins the John Hawkes Stakes! (28.04.26)

28 Apr 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What does winning the John Hawkes Stakes mean for the family?

0.706 - 21.368 Gerard Whateley

300 to go. Power bow and recommendation chiming in. Grand Larceny going for a needle eye. It's sprinting through now with our white New York luster. But Grand Larceny, brilliant when it needed to be. One from an absolute wall. That was the John Hawks stakes, and Grand Larceny was trained by the Hawks family.

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21.488 - 35.96 Gerard Whateley

I think those boys, Michael and Wayne, would have been particularly proud to prepare the horse to win Dad's race. John Hawks is with me. Hello, John. How are you going? very well, Gerard. No complaints, mate, for an old fella. Did you enjoy that Saturday?

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Chapter 2: How did John Hawkes feel about the race this year?

37.401 - 60.463 John Hawkes

Yeah, no, it was great. You know, as I said, they have a race named after us, which they've been, you know, proud of that from Adelaide where I was in my early days. But, yeah, you don't get the opportunity to, you know, to win a race named after just how it felt this year. And, yeah, it was super. I mean, it was a super win. It was a super ride. He rode him absolutely brilliant. But,

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60.781 - 64.288 John Hawkes

yeah, it was special, you know, to sort of, you know, win that race like that.

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64.528 - 70.059 Gerard Whateley

Did those boys of yours, did they hatch that plan? I reckon they would have been particularly proud to do that for you.

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71.642 - 90.13 John Hawkes

Yeah, they most probably were, you know, I don't ask them too much, but they both work hard and they do a great job. So, you know, we all work together and that's really what it's all about anyway. We're a more of a family concern these days. We're not a big stable. But, yeah, no, it was just a special day.

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90.411 - 93.395 Gerard Whateley

So you've been to all three of the runnings of the race, John, haven't you?

94.817 - 120.427 John Hawkes

No, I never went. Well, I never went this year. I did the first running of it. And this year, Wayne happened to be there this year, which was great. But, no, we always try and represent someone. And my sister lives in Adelaide, which is great. which is great. You know, it was good for the whole family. As I said, my niece looked after Wayne with the horses. So that was a real family concern.

120.587 - 122.229 John Hawkes

Yeah, that's lovely. That's lovely.

122.51 - 134.964 Gerard Whateley

How is South Australian Racing having to go over the past few years of trying to elevate their carnival again? And as you say, this is your grassroots. Are you admiring of them trying to forge their way forward again?

134.984 - 140.451 John Hawkes

I think so. I mean, it's like everything. It's extremely difficult.

Chapter 3: What role do John Hawkes' sons play in the family racing business?

207.481 - 211.366 John Hawkes

No, no, it's been excellent over a long period of time.

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211.386 - 213.85 Gerard Whateley

Are you still enjoying being involved to the extent that you are?

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215.131 - 239.302 John Hawkes

Yeah, no, I still love it. I'm here six days a week, every day, so... Mainly in Sydney. I mean, I do go to Melbourne from periods. But no, no, I still really enjoy it. I mean, what else are you going to do? Sit on a lounge chair and look at the bloody scenery. So that's not for me. I like messing around with the horses and twiddling around with them.

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239.542 - 242.605 John Hawkes

And as I said, with me boys, you know, there's nothing better.

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243.106 - 244.447 Gerard Whateley

Still a thrill when you get a good one?

246.069 - 266.276 John Hawkes

Oh, I still get a thrill winning a race. You know, I mean it. Ultimately, yes, you know, that's the ultimate, just try and get that real elite sort of horse. You know, we've perhaps only got, you know, Briassa and maybe Gangster Granny are up at the top of our horses, but we've got a few nice younger ones, you know, coming through the system.

266.317 - 287.454 John Hawkes

But as I said, when you're a smaller stable, it makes it very difficult to get those real elite horses. You need the big turnover like the big stables have to get them. I've been there and done that, so... The big numbers work for you. That's how you come across, say, more better horses. But we're doing all right for our small team.

287.835 - 298.198 Gerard Whateley

Yeah. John, always great to chat. That did put a smile on many faces, and I grinned when I heard that they'd won the race. You'd won your own race. So well done. Lovely to chat.

298.988 - 302.958 John Hawkes

No, thanks for having us, Gerald, and all your listeners. It's a pleasure. Anytime.

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