Robert Geller’s life in horse racing has filled his passport with stamps from all over the world. Born in Birmingham, England, Geller’s family emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, where his passion for the game started to flourish. After landing his first official announcing job at Wangaratta in Victoria in 1984, Geller’s race-calling talents have taken him to Hong Kong, Washington State (Emerald Downs), New Mexico (Sunland Park), and Toronto, where he has held his post as the voice of Woodbine since 2015. The man with a multitude of memorable calls talks about his favourites from last season, what he’s most looking forward to at Woodbine this year, and trades places with New York Jets General Manager Darren Mougey ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Robert Geller Q: Was there a particular horse or horses that you really enjoyed calling in a race last year? A: “Fashionably Fab immediately comes to mind. Her win in the Ontario Matron when David Moran stepped in to ride after his son Pietro was sidelined, was a stirring moment for all fans. Not only was it a copy book ride but Fashionably Fab is a stakes quality mare who gives her all at any distance and on either surface. “Her courage was further personified at the end of the season when she defended her La Prevoyante crown by nosing out Fortyfiveseventy in a memorable battle the length of the stretch. The ownership team of Terra Racing Stable are tremendous supporters of the industry, and it was great to see them on such a wild run with Fashionably Fab whose season was once again memorable. “There are always young horses that I get a vibe on who catch my eye and often fly under the radar. Two such horses – Roscar and Aristella – happened to both be in the barn of Rachel Halden, a trainer who is adept at developing up-and-coming types and was on a tear late in the season. “The rail-hugging win by Roscar in the Breeders’ Stakes and the win by Aristella in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, vindicated my first instincts about their potential, further energizing those racecalls.” Q: If you got the chance to call a race in Australia, which one would you choose and why? A: “The Melbourne Cup at Flemington. I grew up listening to the race on the radio as a young schoolboy. Our sports day would be held on Cup Day, so it was not until later in my teens that I was able to be on track to witness the time-honoured race first-hand. “The two-mile handicap is the race that stops a nation and epitomizes the Aussie mentality where a battling type with stamina is pitted against top class stayers in a 24-horse field. “Since the ’90s, the Melbourne Cup has expanded to international entrants from all over the globe and has become a truly world class event. I would love to see a horse from Canada compete and attract those owners and trainers here with that sense of vision. “The Cup is part of the Ignite World Racing Series and last season I had a small role in teasing the race on TV for our viewers before crossing to the local feed. I would love to go down under to cover and call the race, especially if there is North American involvement. The continent has been under-represented, and I would like to see that change.” Robert Geller on the Woodbine backstretch Q: What are you most looking forward to this year at Woodbine? A: “I am looking forward to the stakes schedule that delivers to fans at Woodbine, exciting, competitive stakes races week in, week out. The moving of the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes to King’s Plate Day is going to add even more cache to our signature race day. “They are two of my favorite races on the calendar and with the E.P. Taylor being a “Win and You’re In Race” for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, I can imagine that there will be some quality shippers heading our way.” Q: If you were a horse owner, what would the stable be called and what would the silks look like? A: “I actually was in a syndicate as a part-owner of a racehorse at Emerald Downs with a filly called Asummerforwindy. The syndicate manager, “Victor the Predictor” (Vic Cozetti), was a long-time journalist who taught me a great deal about the style of racing in North America. Vic could be a crusty old character, but he and I got on really well and we enjoyed decent success with Asummerforwindy. “I would consider The Old Vic syndicate as a possible name in honour of his legacy but if I owned a horse outright, I would call it The Purple Patch Stable in the hope of getting on a win streak, in a purple patch, which is what the expression means. “Purple silks would be a natural fit, but I would add gold braiding in the style of royalty and a gold pom pom on a purple cap, just to help the track announcer.” Q: Who would you like to see the New York Jets take in the first round of the NFL Draft this year (player or position) and why? A: “I would love to know who Nick Mangold would suggest. Nick was one of my all-time favorite Jets who played centre when Mark Sanchez was QB and marched them into the AFC Championship. “I am a huge fan of the Jets but am frustrated by their pattern of drafting players past their prime. I have read that they are most in need of a good tight end, a right tackle and defensive tackle. It sounds like the lad from Missouri, Armand Membou, would make a good offensive tackle but may not be available by the time it is the Jets turn to choose. “My gut says they would be best served by drafting a promising wide receiver to complement Garrett Wilson. Apparently, Tetairoa McMillan made some spectacular catches at Arizona. The Jets cannot afford too many dropped passes. “At some point, the Jets will surprise everyone as their woes tend to be self-inflicted with penalties and sloppy plays that have led to many narrow losses. They are 150/1 to win the Super Bowl, so irrespective of who they draft, there really is no outside pressure on them which may well be exactly what they need.” Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
