Peter Ballard to start new journey after Longreach service

By Jordan Gerrans

Admired former hoop Keith Ballard created national headlines when he retired from the saddle late last year as the oldest active jockey in Australia.

A year on from Keith’s retirement, another Ballard has stepped away from the racing industry after a lengthy tenure of dedicated service.

While Keith’s younger brother Peter did not act in his role as long as the former jockey did, his dedication to the wider racing game was just as important.

The 67-year-old Peter Ballard worked as a starter at his final meeting for the Longreach Jockey Club last Saturday after two decades in the role.

Like his revered older brother, Peter rode in the early days as a teenager before having a lengthy break from the sport where he focused in on his work, sport and family interests.

By chance, he ended up as the starter at the Central West club and he barely missed a meeting since taking over the role.

“To be honest, I really enjoyed it as I made a lot of friends,” Peter said.

“A lot of the jockeys, people like John Rudd, he is a legend to me.

“There has been so many jockeys and people that have been around for all my time and you get a lot of respect for those people.

“Now, you see the younger ones coming through and that excites me.

“I have had some good offsiders over the years, as well.

“Doing this role, it had a really good feel about it and I really enjoyed it. It was a great way to be involved in the racing industry without owning or training.”

Like all starters across the Sunshine State, Peter’s role ensured that each horse had a fair start while ensuring the race starts on time as he also worked closely with stewards and barrier attendants.

He was at a race day socially just over two decades and noticed the Longreach club had a starter that needed to drive across from Barcaldine to officiate the meeting.

Peter put his hand up to help the local club and the rest is history.

From there, Peter and his son Adam – who would often attend the races, as well – were constants at the club, according to Longreach president Andrew Watts.

"Pete has been integral part of the Longreach club for 20 years,” Watts said.

"It's been a pleasure having him around the club.

“He is reliable and well-prepared on race days and happy to lend a hand to other clubs.

"We will certainly miss Pete and Adam."

Peter’s son Adam has Williams syndrome with the local racetrack becoming a place where he felt comfortable and safe.  

Adam was one of five Queenslanders who were honoured with inaugural Queensland Day Local Legend Awards earlier this year.

Adam was described as “the heart of Longreach” for his volunteer work across many different areas in his award nomination, including the local radio station, at the rugby club and helping at the racetrack. 

Adam was listed as Peter’s ‘assistant starter’ in the Longreach raceday program.

“The club welcomed him with open arms and it was a great place to take Adam,” Peter said.

“It was a venue where he knew everybody and everyone knew him.

“It was a great social day out for him.”

If circumstances panned out differently, Peter could easily have followed his brother into the saddle for a long career.

He rode at a few picnic meetings as a teenager before his weight became a concern when he started playing local footy and entered the workforce.

Peter rode a few horses Keith prepared before he moved to Mount Isa all those decades ago.

Keith’s storied career spanned 55 years, riding almost 1,800 winners since it all started at Longreach in 1969 before he officially called time in late 2024.

The entire Ballard clan are proud of Keith, especially his younger brother Peter.

“I have never seen a man more dedicated in my life,” he said.

“He didn’t think he was achieving anything special, he just thought it was what you did and what you needed to do to succeed.

“He achieved so much.

“For him to maintain his health and the condition he still is in now, he was so disciplined that it was scary sometimes.”