John Tapp Racing

Keagan is counting down the minutes to a specialist appointment on November 10th when he hopes to gain a clearance to ride again. He talks about the seemingly harmless tumble at Hawkesbury that left him with multiple injuries.  He reflects on a wonderful season that brought him more than a century of winners and a provincial premiership.  Keagan talks of his South African childhood and induction into the famed Durban Jockeys Academy. He reminisces about his very first winning ride for  his master Duncan Howells on the Scottsville track and his transfer to the  legendary trainer Mike De Kock. Keagan looks back on the surprise offer from the United Arab Emirates. De Kock encouraged him to grab the opportunity. He actually won a different kind of Gr 1 race in Dubai. He talks of the chance meeting with a famous jockey which led to a riding stint in Ireland. He had four good seasons there. Keagan reflects on a flying visit to England which brought him a Gr 2 win. The much travelled jockey looks back on a sh

Kylie Gavenlock’s early life revolved around her devotion to horses and her love for the NSW Central Coast. Now at age 57 Kylie is still based at Gosford, and is in her fourth decade as a professional trainer. She begins by talking about the Gosford Race Club’s plans for expansion as a training centre. Kylie talks of the 75 acre property at nearby Somersby which gives her horses the “best of both worlds”. The trainer pays tribute to her elderly Mum who still helps out around the farm. Kylie looks back on her early days as a trackwork rider  and pays tribute to the veteran trainers who helped to get her started. The talented horsewoman talks of teenage daughter Skye and husband Terry, a former top flight Rugby League forward. She pays a fitting tribute to pioneer syndicator Harry Lawton, one of the first to recognise her affinity with horses. Kylie looks back on the special horses who’ve shaped her career. She speaks affectionately of a talented apprentice who has since developed into a multiple Gr 1 wi

TAB punters who fancy a flutter on NSW southern meetings are familiar with the riding of Brendan Ward. The Victorian born jockey had 700 winners on his CV when he moved to Canberra twenty years ago. He’s since added another 820. Brendan talks about his involvement in Canberra trackwork. He talks of the endless travelling country jockeys have to endure in the modern age. Brendan talks of his lifelong addiction to exercise and training. He talks of childhood days in Melbourne and the work experience stint with a legendary trainer of the 1980’s. He eventually became apprenticed to Geoff Murphy. Brendan recalls his first winning ride at Terang. He talks of fellow apprentices in the Murphy stable and his association with a top horse of the era. The jockey reflects on the tuition he received from a couple of ace jockeys of the day. Brendan looks back on two “loan out” experiences with other trainers- one in Wodonga and the other in Adelaide. He remembers a quirky horse he was associated with at Ollie Cox’s

I’ll never forget the day Sky Channel boss Graham McNeice told me he was bringing a young race caller from Queensland to join the Sky team. Russell Leonard was only seventeen, very talented but very intimidated by the big city. The youngster loved the experience but couldn’t adapt to life in a city like Sydney. We catch up with 50 year old Russell Leonard three decades after homesickness sent him scurrying home to Rockhampton.  Right off the top we investigate the nickname by which he’s universally known.   Russ takes us through his current work schedule. You’ll be surprised when he outlines the number of horses trained at Callaghan Park in Rockhampton. Russ helps to coordinate trackwork a couple of days a week. He talks of the outstanding racing surfaces available at Rockhampton and Mackay. Russ takes us back to childhood days with his horse trainer father Keith Leonard. He remembers life on the road with a truckload of horses. They met some interesting people. He has never forgotten his “baptism of f

It’s a delight to introduce a young man whose serious health problems haven’t diminished his resolve to become a serious professional jockey. Harry begins by talking about the wide area he covers in the pursuit of winners. He talks of a two year stay in Bendigo and the homesickness that took him back to Swan Hill. Harry talks about the 10 hectare property near Swan Hill where he lives with partner Tayla. He recalls having lived a reasonably normal childhood despite the restrictions imposed by his medical condition.   Harry takes us through his regular medication regime and the daily physiotherapy required to get him to the races. The jockey pays tribute to his horse trainer father Austy who remains his greatest supporter. He talks of his only sibling, brother Sam who has chosen a career path away from racing. Harry looks back on the magical occasion of his first winning ride.  He acknowledges the ongoing support of trainer Darren Weir in his early days as a jockey. The 25 year old will never forget

Many good judges believe Mister Rea is the best 2 year old pacer seen out this season. The no nonsense colt is unbeaten in six runs. We catch up with his trainer Ray Walker.  Ray has bred many of his best horses over the years including Mister Rea. He says the colt’s dam was a very fast mare. He says the grand dam was even better but plagued with problems. Ray talks of Mister Rea’s manners and faultless gait. He talks of his co- owners wife Jane and long time friend Greg O’Callaghan.  He reviews the colt’s racing career so far, and tells us a little about the background of regular driver Darryl Perrot. Ray looks back on the horror race fall which claimed the life of his father Col in 1978. He immediately took over the running of the family training operation in Leeton. The popular horseman looks back on his first win and his initial success at Harold Park. He reflects on the career of the only 2 year old he compares with Mister Rea. Ray looks back on Jossella- the wonderful mare who launched his profes

Racing fans have been pleased to see Glyn Schofield’s presence at three recent barrier trial sessions at Rosehill. Until his resumption in late August the veteran jockey hadn’t been seen since Boxing Day of last year. He reveals that a painful problem with his right arm required extensive surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. Glyn takes us back to early childhood in his native England and the job transfer that took his family to Johannesburg. He says horses were of no interest to him at this stage of his life. The ace jockey talks about his time as a pupil at the famous Durban Jockeys Academy- the institution which launched the careers of several champion jockeys. Glyn talks of his apprenticeship to Alister Gordon and his very first winner at Scottsville. He makes mention of some special horses who got him going in South Africa. He remembers a working holiday he had in 2001 at the Caboolture training operation of the late Bruce McLachlan. Glyn recalls another visit to Queensland for the 2002 winter carni

We caught Anthony at the end of a good week. He’d ridden a double on the Gold Coast the day before, and a winner at Eagle Farm the previous Wednesday. As Incentivise’s original rider he was a keen observer when the rising star won Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. He watched on a TV monitor in the mounting yard at Aquis Park. Anthony gives his impressions of the Makybe Diva win and then takes us through Incentivise’s rise through the grades in Queensland. We chat about Anthony’s early years in Maitland and the shock discovery of his hearing impairment. He’s been wearing hearing aids from age eight. The jockey talks of his fascination with the game of Rugby League and his lifelong fascination with the Newcastle Knights. He talks of the only racing link in his family background- the grandfather who wanted to be a jockey but wasn’t allowed to pursue his dream. Anthony talks of two apprenticeships in Grafton and his move to a Brisbane stable. He remembers his first ride which turned out to be a

Great to catch up with respected Scone trainer Rod Northam who’s hoping a slot holder might come along for his Kosciuszko hopeful Spiranac. Rod has high praise for the Scone training precinct. He takes us back to childhood days on a Singleton dairy farm where he taught himself to ride. Rod talks of the genetic influence provided by his father and grandfather. The experienced horseman looks back on work experience at Carrington Stud and the celebrity mare he looked after. Rod talks of his love of Rugby League and a short stint with a well known country team. He reflects on a rewarding year at the famous Marcus Oldham College in Victoria. Rod couldn’t believe his luck when he landed a job as a trackwork rider at the Lindsay Park operation in South Australia. The dream turned sour when a nasty fall put him in hospital. Colin Hayes took a shine to the young New South Welshman and before Rod knew it, he was preparing yearlings for the Adelaide and Sydney sales. Rod reflects on his association with Colin Ha

Twenty five years ago I described Paul Ambrosoli as the best greyhound commentator in the world. To date nobody has taken me to task. I’m delighted to welcome him to the podcast. The legendary caller begins by paying tribute to his late wife Pat. Paul acknowledges the achievements of his granddaughter Claire Lever now married to jockey Chad Lever and making her way in the tough grind of racehorse training. He talks of childhood days and his total lack of interest in joining his father’s tailoring business. Paul recalls the “imaginary” races he called at home as an impressionable kid. He talks of school days at Sydney Grammar. Paul talks of his early association with 2KA Katoomba, the station to launch his career as a racing and rugby league commentator. He talks of the record number of race meetings he once covered in a week. Paul has never forgotten the drama of calling the last at a twilight galloping meeting and the first at Wentworth Park dogs thirty minutes later. Despite his allegiance to the gr

Great to catch up with a little bloke of Italian descent who began his career with the late Ray Guy at Rosehill 35 years ago. Five years ago he was still living in Sydney and travelling to the western districts most weeks. In 2016 he moved to Mudgee and is now one of the most in demand jockeys on the western line. He looks back on the reasons for the move. Anthony explains the origins of the nickname that has followed him around for more than three decades. “Choco” looks back on the day his father took him to meet Ray Guy in the trainer’s Rosehill office. He reflects on the wonderful day when Vain Glorious provided him with his first win at Gosford. He expands on Guy’s success rate with unfashionably bred horses. Anthony speaks of Bryan Guy who has gone on to great success in his own right. He talks of opportunities to come his way from other Rosehill trainers. He was fortunate to win a race on Potrero for Dr. Geoff Chapman. The horse went on to multiple Gr 1 success. “Choco” clearly remembers the day h

Great to catch up with trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith who recently pulled up stakes and relocated from Hawkesbury to sunny Coffs Harbour. He explains why he settled on the north coast. Noel talks of his new association with “Stable Of Stars”, a syndication company which offers horses for lease rather than sale. The trainer explains the concept. The trainer pays tribute to wife Emma who has ridden the bulk of his trackwork for most of their married life. Noel talks of his reconnection with Jon Grisedale who at one stage was number three Nebo Lodge jockey. Now in his mid fifties Grisedale is riding better than ever, and rides an enormous amount of trackwork at Coffs. We go back to young Noel’s days as a bank teller and the surly customer who was indirectly responsible for his move to another job. Noel reflects on his move to Sydney when his brother Brian was offered the number one training job for the late Millie Fox. He looks back on his decision to go solo at Newcastle in 1991. He talks of his very first w

Michael was in the broadcast box at Los Alamitos when we caught up with him recently. We begin by talking about his Aussie accent, unchanged after more than thirty years in the USA. He talks of his appointment as track announcer at the Los Alamitos track in California in the wake of his shock dismissal by the owners of Santa Anita. Michael takes us through the dual breed format of Los Alamitos programming - the combination of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. We turn back the clock to the day Michael and I arrived at Hollywood Park for a six meeting commitment. If the crowds and simulcast viewers liked the Queenslander’s style he had the job at the famous track. Michael remembers Marjorie Everett, the dynamic chairperson of the Hollywood Park Operating Company and some of her eccentric ways. He reflects on the first big race he got to call in California featuring the clash of two topliners. Michael was stunned when offered the chance to share calling duties at the reopening of Agua Caliente where P

Great to catch up with Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Bellamy who grew up among the Hawkesbury race crowd but moved to the north coast with his family as a 17 year old. All he ever wanted to do was train racehorses. He talks of early days in the Hawkesbury Valley. Brett talks of his 35 years as a commercial trainer and the facilities available at the Coffs Harbour track. He mentions the famous Boambee Beach. He talks of the support he’s had over the years from Queensland’s Kruger family who operate the famous Lyndhurst Stud at Warwick. Brett looks back on a two year learning stint with astute trainer Mal Barnes at Randwick. He befriended a stable apprentice who has become a popular figure on Sydney racing media. He remembers his happy two years with the breeding arm of the famous Lindsay Park operation at Angaston in South Australia. Colin Hayes made regular appearances at the stud. Brett met his future wife Julie at the Angaston pub. The trainer looks back on a one season job with a small Tamworth stud. H

You’ll go a long way to find anybody more passionate about harness racing than forty year old trainer Troy Williams who’s enjoying a winning streak at the moment. He talks about the stable runners who are making it possible. Troy loves a trotter and talks about Affaire De Cover who won a major 2YO Trot last year in torrential rain, and didn’t put a foot wrong. He explains that the horse got his name by accident. He profiles the stable favourite Iona Grinner who was tried as a pacer but couldn’t keep up. One day Troy left the hopples off, and got the shock of his life. The mare has won 20 races at Menangle at the trot. Troy has unpleasant memories of the floodwaters that inundated his Windsor property earlier this year. Trotting friends got him out of trouble. He explains that he enjoys the occasional race drive but chooses to use experienced drivers who are competing regularly. Troy outlines the advantages of the 1600m training track he uses adjacent to Hawkesbury racecourse. 150 horses use the facility.

Peter recalls the freakish accident in 2014 that brought his successful riding career to an end. The jockey wisely heeded the advice of neurosurgeons regarding his future. He quickly got a new career up and running. Peter confirms that he still rides regular trackwork, but closely monitors the area of his spinal injury. He talks of the handy horses who’ve helped to establish his training career. Pete looks back on the severe setback he suffered early in his training career when a major owner moved horses to other trainers. A fellow trainer came to the rescue. He speaks of the great compliment afforded him by a fellow trainer who asked him to become the regular trackwork rider of one of Australia’s most celebrated horses. Peter reviews his riding career beginning with an apprenticeship in Benalla (Vic) and the valuable tutoring he received from a senior jockey. He looks back on his very first win in a stayer’s event at Tatura. He says it wasn’t a pretty ride. Peter remembers a horse called Simple As Tha

Great to catch up with one of the elite jockeys of the 70’s and 80’s. Gary admits he didn’t want to come to Australia in 1974 when offered the ride on Battle Heights. He says the NZ jockeys premiership was his priority. The former ace rider talks of his venture in the hotel business after a career ending race fall. He talks of the injury toll from the fateful fall at Yarra Glen. Gary takes us back to childhood days in Auckland when he would go to the races with his parents. He reflects on work experience in the stable of leading trainer Fred Smith who later indentured him. Gary looks back on his first winner Silver Lad. The horse started at cricket score odds. He remembers his chance meeting at the races with the young lady from Matamata destined to become his wife. The Willetts are approaching 56 years of marriage. The veteran horseman has never forgotten the horse who changed his life. He takes us through the remarkable career of an iron gelding called Battle Heights. Gary was stable jockey for

Great to catch up with one of country racing’s most popular trainers. Peter talks of the early starts necessary to get his horses worked before reporting for duty as a Telstra technician. He acknowledges the efforts of his ground staff and wife Jenny. Peter outlines the daily routine observed by himself and apprentice Jacob Golden. The pair ride twenty horses between them most mornings. He talks of a normal day in his life as a Telstra technician. The fourth generation horseman explains that he’s one of only three trainers to use the Moree track. He pays tribute to the Club President and Secretary. Peter tells us more about Moree’s unique location on the famous Artesian Basin, and the benefits derived from a never ending supply of quality bore water. He relates some tales about previous generations of Sinclair horsemen. The trainer looks back on two attempts to establish himself as a professional jockey. He rode plenty of winners but paid the penalty. Peter enjoys competing on the picnic circuit in no

It’s a big welcome to 75 year old Danny Frahm who was 64 years old when a race fall at Armidale  ended his remarkable career. He reflects on his longevity in the saddle and marvels at how well he’s come out of several serious accidents. He explains that for all the broken bones, he is remarkably free of arthritis. Danny explains that he twice sustained a broken neck, the first time at Gunnedah around 1993. During a long layoff he and wife Mireille ran a laundromat at Coffs Harbour. He also explains the loss of a kidney as a result of a race fall some years ago. The dedicated bush jockey talks of his early life in Bowen (QLD) and his initial apprenticeship to Harry Hatten in Brisbane. He talks of a transfer to Ron Conquest and the thrill of his first winning ride at Gympie. Danny looks back on his one and only ride on the legendary Queensland horse Prunda- a win at Eagle Farm. Prunda won 30 races. The veteran reflects on a two year hiatus from racing when his weight got out of hand, and a fresh start in

A pleasure to introduce 31 year old Kody Nestor whose riding career was halted by increasing weight in 2017. His rise in the training ranks has been beyond his expectations. Kody says he didn’t have a single horse to train when his licence was granted. He remembers a trip to central Queensland where he purchased a horse for $5,500- a horse he’d ridden in three races. Kody talks of his current team of 35-40 horses and the wonderful support he’s had from owners. He talks of a valued association with jockey Anthony Cavallo who rides most of the stable runners. Kody admits he still enjoys riding some of the trackwork himself. The trainer acknowledges the contribution of several horses who’ve helped establish his training career. There’s one gelding in the stable he expects to go on to better things. Kody talks of his strong racing background and the support he’s had from several talented family members. He looks back on his early days as a bush apprentice and the pleasant surprise he received when high prof