Darby In a Life Time Dr Andrew Lemon

Darby McCarthy PROJECT – 2020
COMMENT
It has been a unique achievement for film maker David Waddington and producer Chris O’Reilly to interview on film and in depth more than sixty remarkable individuals – participants and witnesses to seventy years of Australian racing history. All share one thing: admiration for the career of the former champion jockey, the late Darby McCarthy who died in Queensland in May this year (2020) aged 76. This is a story of the success, the disasters and ultimately the redemption, a different kind of triumph, survival of a remarkable Australian.
David and Chris over the past two years filmed several hours of fascinating interview material with Darby McCarthy himself, for this project. They kept in close contact and continued filming during the final months of Darby's remarkable life. Clearly they gained Darby's affection and confidence. Darby wanted to tell his story to the wider world. The wider world needs to hear his story.
I participated in and led some of the Melbourne interviews for this current project and can say that the stories and perspectives that emerged from so many different points of view amazed me. Even in their raw and unedited state they have now provided a unique archive which the racing industry should treasure and preserve. They give a precious insight into an era in Australian racing that has passed. That world has gone. Some of the interviewees are aged in their 80s and 90s. It is sobering but true to say that it will never, ever be possible to bring these people together again on film in this way.
(Dr) Andrew Lemon AM FRHSV
Author of "The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing" (3 volumes).
Melbourne, April 2020

LINK: https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/darby-mccarthy-project-in-a-life-time-working-title/