The team at Markey Saddlery has over 75 years experience in the Thoroughbred Racing Industry. Ray Markey, a former jockey, and his wife Robynne, began Markey Saddlery in 1976, 15 months after Ray rode in his last race after suffering a badly broken leg in a race fall.
Ray Markey
Robynne had begun making racing silks as early as 1970, and was joined by her husband in partnership 6 years later.
Ray was a jockey from 1957 to 1975, and rode more than 500 winners in his career. He began riding in Brisbane, but moved to Sydney in 1969.
He is from a racing family. His father Vince Markey was a jockey firstly, later becoming a successful horse trainer in Brisbane. Two of Ray’s brothers also rode as jockeys, Cecil and Danny Markey. Ray’s grandfather on his mothers side of the family, Burt Studders, also rode as a jockey and later became a horse trainer.
Whilst awaiting his broken leg to knit, Ray was taught the saddlery trade by his friend Chris Day. He never returned to the saddle, moving into partnership with his wife and forming Markey Saddlery. One of their first clients was the legendary horse trainer T.J. Smith.
