Barry Cook

Barry Cook's journey into the world of bookmaking began at an early age, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who were both bookmakers in Northern NSW during the 1940s and 1950s. At 22, Barry took out his own bookmaker’s licence and began fielding in the Northern NSW District Racing Association (NNWDRA) area. Just two years later, at 24, he was granted an AJC licence, and his career took off. Barry vividly recalls his first day in the flat enclosure in 1968, surrounded by over 180 bookmakers, marking the beginning of a long and stimulating career. Barry quickly moved up the ranks, fielding at five meetings a week, including horses, trots, and greyhounds. One of his most notable achievements came at 29, when he was promoted to the prestigious Randwick Rails, becoming the youngest bookmaker to achieve that honour at the time. Although Barry stepped back from city racing when COVID-19 hit, he continues to field occasionally. With 58 years of experience, Barry is believed to be the longest-serving licensed bookmaker in NSW, a testament to his enduring passion for the industry.