Race caller Josh Fleming reflects on his time in the tower as stellar career continues to grow

Well-known race caller Josh Fleming reveals how he found his way into the industry and where it all began for his highly respected career. Find out how he landed his dream job.

Prominent Queensland race caller Josh Fleming has reflected on where it all began in outback Australia as he marks his 18th year in the industry.

Fleming, now 36 with two young children, began phantom calling out of the Sunday paper using the race results of the 800m, 400m and finishing positions of each race.

The respected racing personality said from his first call in 1998 it was then opportunity after opportunity.

“I got heard by a fluke one day and I then did my first call when the local caller fell ill,” he said.

“After that I started up in Birdsville in 1999 and then went through the Sky Racing John Tapp scholarship in 2003 and have been with the company ever since.”

Sip It Slow takes out race 2 from the @SCTurfClub with a nice win for @kendrickracing1pic.twitter.com/okBiEgmLlq

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 3, 2021

After meeting his now wife at a race meet the couple moved back to Queensland from New South Wales in 2015.

Fleming said calling at Warwick Farm and the support from retired caller Alan Thomas was a major confidence boost.

“I had plenty of great mentors take me under their wings when I was coming through and for Alan to show incredible faith in me was a big feather in my cap,” he said.

“I called a handful of group ones in Sydney when I started and they were great experiences for when I moved up here.”

Fleming said the Birdsville Cup remained one of his favourite race meetings.

“Being a Queensland caller you’ve got your Stradbrokes and your Magic Millions, which are great, but as a kid from the bush and from such a young age the Birdsville Cup is where it all started and that’s why it means so much to me,” he said.

Queensland race caller Josh Fleming says he wouldn't change a thing after a terrific start to an 18-year career. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The keen rugby league fan said he was a big follower of Peter Moody’s back to back group one winner Incentivise.

“Incentivise is the horse on everyone’s lips right now. I was able to call his maiden and then class two wins at Corbould Park,” he said.

“I only watched it back the other day to see how far he’s come and I didn't realise at the time but I gave him a pretty good rap post race.

“You don’t think about it too much then but to now see his name up in lights as a dual group one winner with eight wins in a row is pretty special and I think there’s still more to come.”

Fleming said he counted himself as the luckiest man in the world doing what he did.

“This is the only full-time job I’ve ever had and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.

“I don’t feel as if I’ve missed out on doing anything elsewhere and the industry owes me nothing as I owe it everything.”