At the age of 60, with a rock-solid body of work behind his name that spans over four decades, Michael Cahill will have his last race ride at his home track at the Gold Coast on February 8, five days after he officially takes up a new role with Racing Queensland as part of the Queensland Apprentice School education program.
“Reaching the decision on a final retirement date was a process,” acknowledged Cahill.
“To be honest, I’ve been semi-retired the last eighteen months since I stepped back from Metropolitan racing.
“I’ve just been riding here at home at the Gold Coast, which I enjoy doing, I had decided that I was going to retire some time in 2025. I just hadn’t set a formal date. I just wanted to see how I felt … but when I accepted this new role it expedited things and probably brought that decision forward a few months.
“I’m happy with my decision. I’m obviously going to miss the race riding. At the end of the day I’ve been very fortunate to have a long career.”
Cahill leaves the race riding ranks as a multiple Group 1 winner but, more important than any statistics, is the way his actions and attitude has embodied the very essence of true professionalism over so many years in a career choice where good times are tempered by physical setbacks and result disappointments that, whatever his ability, test a rider’s mental strength to the full.
None have come through this process with more credit than Cahill. His quiet, matter-of-fact manner in which he has gone about his business, under every conceivable circumstance, sets a marker for those who follow to strive to emulate.
There’s nothing wrong if that comes with a bit more fanfare as some others choose to do, but there is core discipline to a professional approach and, in that, Cahill is the perfect role-model … which is exactly why his appointment at Racing Queensland is of some significance.
There was a process to follow though before his appointment was ratified.
“I had to apply for the position, and I was called in for an interview,” explained Cahill.
When it was suggested to Cahill that he surely would have been a shoe-in for the job, he replied with typical humility, “I don’t know about that. I think there were a few other worthwhile applicants, but I was fortunate enough to be chosen.
“The committee there thought that I was good enough to perform the role so, yeah, I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to getting started.
“It’s exciting … the plans that racing Queensland has for the Queensland Apprentices School. There seems to be some pretty good, capable people already there and I’m looking forward to joining them.”
Cahill will continue to ride trackwork at the Gold Coast after his February 8 racing farewell, which will leave him ideally placed to keep a close eye on apprentices riding work there … and it won’t be too long before another Cahill graces the trackwork arena.
Cahill’s son, Harry, could soon be on his way.
“He turned fifteen earlier this month so he is old enough now to start riding trackwork, which he will do some time this year,” said Cahill.
“He’s keen and he’s always been very passionate about it.” (Cahill’s son is often seen walking the track with his father before racing gets underway).
“It’s not easy. There is a lot of sacrifices to be made … and a lot of hard work … and some luck if you are going to make it.
“At the end of the day, it is a pretty big commitment.”
For Michael Cahill himself … right now it is a case of been there … done that, and he can retire knowing it was a job well done.
Apart from Australia, Cahill has ridden in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, South Korea and Mauritius and, amongst other successes, Cahill won the 2001 Group 1 Doomben 10 000 aboard Falvelon, the 2005 Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap aboard St. Basil and a Group 1 double aboard The Bostonian in the Kingsford-Smith Cup and the Doomben 10 000 in 2019.
