John Tapp Racing

In this segment Steve reflects on a short riding stint in Mauritius which ended on a very sour note. He looks back on his return to the saddle after knee surgery and his new association with trainer Terry Courtney. The top horseman has never forgotten his wonderful partnership with powerhouse sprinter Mighty Avalanche. He takes us through a last to first win in the Gr 1 Oakleigh Plate. Steve remembers with affection a wonderful six year stay in Macau. He rode 300 winners and bagged a Macau Gold Cup on sand track specialist Kenny, trained by former Sydney horseman Darby Armstrong. He talks of his move to Singapore as assistant trainer to Claude Charlet. He stayed on when Charlet returned to Macau never dreaming he’d still be there 25 years later. Steve takes us through several assistant training jobs he had before finally gaining his own licence. He remembers the circumstances under which he met his second wife Julie, a former English jockey who was visiting Singapore. He tells the story of Julie’s quick trip

We talk to Steve about the lockdown of Singapore racing and the interim progress of his horses. He talks of the biosecurity situation and the mood of the locals as the weeks wear on. We go right back to Steve’s younger days in Melbourne and his passion for football. He was promising but way too small to make a career of it. He talks of his father Harold, a successful jumps jockey. Steve recalls his apprenticeship to Jim Cerchi and his first winning ride at Echuca. He remembers with affection his first city winner and the support he got from his mother and sister. Steve gives special mention to Jetfighter. He won stakes races on the Ian Harrison trained galloper and rates him as one of the best he rode. He talks of the days when he was a regular at the Victorian Saturday provincial meetings where he often rode the second stringers for major stables. Steve looks back on his association with Super Impose. He rode the budding champion in his first four starts. He remembers his only Cox Plate ride in 1977 for Bart

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Phillip Stokes so we did the next best thing and chatted on the podcast. The trainer talks of his runners in two states last Saturday. No winners but a few super efforts. Phillip talks of the fruition of a long term plan to establish a Victorian stable, and the reason he settled on the new Pakenham complex. He describes the available facilities and the 16 acre property he purchased just 5 minutes down the road.  Phillip reflects on a happy childhood growing up on a cattle station near Marree at the top end of SA. His father Ron introduced him to thoroughbreds at an early age. He remembers his apprenticeship in Adelaide to John Hall who had been a stable foreman for Bart Cummings in the maestro’s early days. Phillip recalls his move to Alice Springs when his weight got out of hand. He remembers his new boss Viv Oldfield with great affection. This larger than life character is one of the Territory’s most famous businessmen to this day. The forty nine year old recalls his fi

Great to catch up with one of the hardest working jockeys in Australian racing. Much to his frustration, Grant is currently on the sidelines with a broken collarbone. He has an update on his likely return date. He talks of the fall on March 31st which came at a time when he was enjoying a winning run. Grant discusses the amazing statistics he’s accumulated in the last twenty years as provincial and country jockey. He pays tribute to his father Clarrie Buckley who enjoyed Group 1 success in the 1960’s and 70’s. He highlights some of the good horses his Dad got to ride. Grant talks of his early days as an apprentice in the Hawkesbury precinct and the trainers who supported him. He’s never forgotten his first winning ride on the Gary White trained Impossible Mission. He pays tribute to Paul Cave, the trainer who gave him some opportunities on better class horses. Grant looks back on his fleeting association with the brilliant mare Private Steer- a three time Gr 1 winner. He looks back on his transition to the pr

In part 2 Gary talks of stable favourites Single Bullet and Testashadow. He tells the story of the $20,000 yearling who gave him victory in the Golden Slipper of 2017. He was thrilled to win for a large group of owners who’d been brought together by Darby Racing. Gary tells some good stories about two members of the She Will Reign syndicate who added to the whole amazing story- one of them won a fortune on the punt, while the other bought a new fishing  boat which he called the “She Will Reign”. That boat met a bizarre fate. The trainer talks of his Everest experience with She Will Reign and the mare’s subsequent sale to a Japanese breeder. Gary speaks with affection of the remarkable veteran Marwin Gold who won 20 races for the stable. He reveals the old warrior’s current home. He talks of his eleven year marriage to Kelly and her strong racing background. Kelly and Gary have an eight year old son Harper whose current interest in horses is far from obsessive. Gary gives Kelly credit for getting him back on t

In part one Gary talks of the job offer which brought him to Sydney. He was invited to train privately for a high profile owner who pulled out of the arrangement three months later.   He confesses he was ready to go back to the bush when a fellow trainer helped him out of a tight spot. Gary talks of early days at Orange and the defining moment when he knew he wanted to train horses. The trainer talks of the undying support of his parents Morveen and Joe.  Morveen had a promising career as an entertainer in her teen years but gave it all up to marry Joe Portelli. Gary’s father is a jack of all trades who’s been a huge asset to the stable for many years. Gary remembers his very first winner with a horse whose career began in Russia. He talks of his first city winner. Mick Dittman was very keen to ride the horse. Gary’s appraisal of the horses who helped launch his career was interrupted by his pet whippet who got caught in a fence during the interview. You’ll hear the drama unfold. The trainer takes us through

In the 200th segment since our website began in 2018, Andrew Bensley looks back on his years with Sky TV and radio. At last he reveals the origin of his well known nickname Hoss. People realised he bore a resemblance to actor Dan Blocker whose character of Hoss in the TV series Bonanza made him a household name. A top jockey was the first to give Andrew the nickname. Andrew recalls the freezing Ballarat Cup day when he and I shared the Sky hosting. He remembers the impact of TVN entering the racing media market. “Hoss” looks back on the one and only time he was blacklisted by a racing stable. He gives his version of the event. He’s usually talking to other people about top horses, great jockeys and trainers. This time we get Andrew Bensley to nominate his favourite horses and horsemen. Andrew pays tribute to his wife and best mate Bernadette who has always understood his heavy workload. He makes special mention of his sons Keiran and Hayden.

In Part 1 Andrew outlines his reasons for bringing down the curtain on his long career with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio. He talks of his childhood in Wangaratta and the elderly neighbours he called Nan and Pa. They introduced him to the excitement of the racetrack. Andrew talks of his adoption to foster parents Bruce and Leila Bensley. His Dad was an engineer and wanted Andrew to follow in his footsteps. He remembers his first job in radio at 4VL Charleville, and a short stint at 4LM Mt. Isa. Andrew takes us through his time at 3TR Sale and later at 3DB where he worked with legendary caller Bill Collins. He pays special tribute to the man. He recalls his time at 3UZ and his move into television at GTV Channel 9 in Melbourne He reflects on the many roles he filled at Channel 9 before getting a phone call from Graham McNeice. Sky had just introduced its now famous home service and needed a Melbourne correspondent.

In Part 1 Darren talks of a lifetime in the Bankstown harness racing precinct. He remembers the days when hundreds of horses were worked from stables in the Condell Park area. Today it’s a ghost town. He remembers the day a Channel 10 TV crew filmed a story on harness horses for Simon Townsend’s Wonder World. He reveals his reasons for never wanting to train big teams of horses. Darren talks about his relationship with high profile owner Emilio Rosati who was once his next door neighbour. He talks of his grandfather Jack a highly regarded trainer in the boom years at Harold Park. Darren reflects on life with his late father John who died in 1999. He talks of the many good horses to come through John Binskin’s hands. The trainer remembers the occasion of his first drive out of a mobile barrier. It was at Rockhampton in Queensland and he had to beat a pretty good horse to win. Darren looks back on his first trip to the US in 2001. Based in Ohio he quickly made a name for himself as a race driver. Everything was

In Part 2 the NZ born jockey pays tribute to some of his 42 Gr 1 winners with special mention of the ill fated Unworldly. She won 5 from 6 before being put down after a training accident. Larry says she was an exceptional filly. He pays special tribute to Saintly. He rode him only twice for a win and a close second in the 1996 AJC Derby. He remembers him with great affection. Larry talks of his years as number 1 rider for Crown Lodge and the stresses involved with maintaining the standards set by John Hawkes and Jack Ingham. He pays tribute to some special jockeys for whom he has great admiration, and to a handful of Brisbane trainers who continue to give him strong support. Larry talks of his much loved family, wife Michelle, son Luke and daughter Jade. The kids have some lofty ambitions. He reveals his current levels of health and his hopes for the future. Enjoyed every minute of my long chat with a gentleman jockey.

In part 1 Larry talks about his career tally of winners. He reveals that he’s maintained records of his race rides from the beginning of his career in NZ. He talks of the factors that prompted his decision to move to Queensland twelve years ago. Larry recalls his one and only ride on the champion Winx in the 2015 Sunshine Coast Guineas. He surprised many by declaring her to be the best he’d ever ridden. The popular jockey reflects on a horror period a few years ago when meniscal tears in both knees stalled his career.  He talks of the boredom and frustration which put him into a state of depression. Larry remembers his first morning back at trackwork after his long layoff. His legs were like jelly, and the pain was intense.  He talks of his very first Gr 1 win on Coronation Day, and his wonderful Autumn Carnival in 1997 when he won the Doncaster-Sydney Cup double for Gai Waterhouse. That Sydney Cup winner was the genuine Linesman. Larry was very fond of the horse and felt he should have been right in the fini

In this segment Fred looks back on the frustrating years when he struggled to gain a WA Thoroughbred trainer’s licence. He’d just about given up when a race club committeeman came to his rescue. He remembers the thrill of saddling up his first winner at the gallops. The horse was Little Hero at Belmont in 1989. Fred takes us back to the day he bought a half share in a yearling with ordinary conformation, because he happened to like the youngster’s sire. He takes us through the extraordinary career of Northerly who went on to win 19 races including 9 Gr 1’s for $9.3 million dollars. He was a life changing horse for the Kersleys. Fred pays tribute to other outstanding gallopers he’s had in the stable. Horses like Marasco ( $1.7 million ), Grand Nirvana ($1.1 million), and Itzahym ($1.2 million). He speaks fondly of his four children and the support he’s had from wife Judy through the years. He reflects on daughter Kelly’s winning drive on Norm’s Daughter in a Miracle Mile, and on the progress of his jockey gran

The first segment of this special interview reviews the master horseman’s long and brilliant career as a trainer and driver in the harness racing field. Fred tells the story of his grandfather taking two pacers from Adelaide to Perth by ship, while the rest of the family crossed the Nullabor in an old Buick car. The Kersleys have been in Western Australia ever since. He reflects on the brilliant training and driving career of his father Fred Kersley Snr, who had never been able to win a WA Pacing Cup.Towards the end of his career, young Fred was able to give him the winning drive on James Eden in the historic race. It was a night of high emotion. Fred looks back on his very slow start as a trainer/driver. He couldn’t have imagined that he’d go on to win 16 metropolitan premierships. The master horseman recalls his association with the great pacer Pure Steel. He won the WA Derby with the up and coming champion, but later lost the horse following a disagreement with owner Russell Roberts. Fred pays tribute to C

Harry pays tribute to the super sire I Am Invincible who has been a sensation on the Australian breeding scene in recent years. He reveals the chain of events which led to the purchase of a half share in I Am Invincible, when a new stallion was required for the Mitchell family’s Yarraman Park Stud near Scone(NSW). Harry remembers the first time he saw the horse at the Victorian stables of Peter Morgan. He was “blown away”. He talks of the humbling experience of having I Am Invincible selected as the consort for two of the greatest mares in Australian racing history. The respected breeder reminisces about his late father’s acquisition of Yarraman Park from its previous owner, legendary jockey George Moore. Harry acknowledges the courage and vision of his father Major Mitchell who left England to start a new life in Australia with his wife and three young sons. He talks of the tough days when Yarraman Park stood a number of mediocre sires. Harry pays tribute to Catbird and Magic Albert, the stallions to put Yar

In part 2 Rod talks of Keith Noud’s ability to call a race, before dashing to the press box to file a story on the same race.  He takes us through some very funny incidents during his race broadcasting days. Incidents like the amorous liaison taking place in a bunker on the infield golf course at Laidley. He recalls the unwelcome guest he had in the broadcasting box at Gatton, and the day a number of calves were asleep on the course proper at the same track. Rod talks of his time as a trots caller at Albion park and his hosting role at a famous night club. He remembers his days as the host of Channel 7’s Sportscene programme, and one memorable incident. The veteran nominates his favourite Queensland jockeys and trainers. Rod looks back on his transfer to the Sydney Telegraph and his later life with Sky Channel and Sky Racing Radio. In conclusion he pays tribute to Kay and his much loved children and grandchildren. Rod Gallegos is a terrific listen!

Rod talks of his upbringing in the popular Queensland town of Bundaberg. He recalls the racing characters he met at his Grandmother’s boarding house. He talks of the mother who loved a punt, and the non gambling father who just liked looking at racehorses. Rod recalls the bet he tried to have behind his mother’s back. The bookie gave him up. He looks back on his race calling debut at age 14, when the regular commentator got called away. Rod looks back on school days and his ineptitude at practical assignments. The popular media veteran talks of the lucky break that came along at the Bundaberg News Mail. He makes special mention of the legendary Sergeant Kelly of the Bundy Police who gave him some invaluable advice. Rod looks back on the opportunity that changed his life- a move to brisbane and a job with the Brisbane Telegraph. He remembers the chance meeting with Kay Noud,  the girl destined to become his wife of 56 years. Rod pays a remarkable tribute to his late father in law, legendary Queensland race cal

This is a light hearted chat with a vivacious young lady who has strong support from owners and trainers in NSW and Queensland. Tegan has been out of action for almost five months following the worst fall of her ten year career. Tegan pays special tribute to her jockey/mother who rode many winners on the NSW Northern Rivers under the name of Bev Want. She thinks it’s pretty special that she was going around in races before her Mum realised she was in the early stages of pregnancy. Tegan acknowledges the efforts of her father Andrew, a versatile jack of all trades who’s always first there to help his daughter out when things need fixing. The jockey reflects on her childhood involvement with Grafton Pony Club, and a transition to the re educating of retired racehorses. She admits she didn’t like the thoroughbreds at first. Tegan looks back on her apprenticeship to Bruce Hill on the Gold Coast, and her disastrous first race ride- one she’d rather forget. She recalls her early education at Julia Creek in the Quee

We catch up with Peter Mertens in his new role as Farms Operations Manager at Sean Buckley’s magnificent Ultra Thoroughbreds spelling, breeding and training operation near Kilmore. He explains how the job came up, and his day to day involvement. Peter talks of his formative years in the Gippsland region and his two apprenticeships- one to George O’Mealley, the other to Lloyd Timms. Just as his riding career was starting to gather momentum, Peter disappeared from the racing scene for two years. He explains that he had to look after younger siblings when his mother suffered a breakdown. He was no sooner back in action when he broke his neck in a race fall. He talks of his long, slow rehabilitation. Peter recalls a very successful stint in Singapore with a former Victorian trainer, and the shock phone call that brought news of his mother’s unexpected death. He remembers the one that got away! He thought Charm Scene Land was a good thing in the 1999 Blue Diamond, and was devastated when an elevated temperature pu

In part 2 Jimmy Byrne recalls a win in the coveted Queensland Derby on the Peter Moody trained Riva San. He was lucky to gain the ride. He reflects on one of his greatest racing thrills, a Doomben $10,000 victory on Redzel. It was his one and only ride on the dual Everest winner.  The jockey talks of another Group 1 win- the J.J.Atkins Stakes on the Paul Butterworth trained Capital Gain. Jim looks back on five rides on the powerhouse sprinter General Nediym including a win in the Magic Millions Cup. He talks of his affinity with the Ipswich track where he’s won three Cups. Jim talks of the trainers who’ve given him support over the years. The popular jockey outlines his business plans for the future. He’s already setting up a saddlery shop at home where he’ll work when his racing days are over.

In part 1 Jim laments about his horror run with injuries over the last twelve months. He talks of extensive shoulder surgery early last year, and a broken leg sustained in a freak fall just before Xmas. He talks of the frustration all injured jockeys experience when their regular mounts keep winning during their absence. Jim tells the story of the school teacher who suggested he should become a jockey. He recalls his apprenticeship to Pat Duff and those precious early winners. Jim pays tribute to the NSW horse who changed his career. He won the 1999 Stradbroke on Adam and was beaten a whisker in the Doomben $10,000. He loved the little horse with perfect manners, and a great will to win. He talks of his three wins on the brilliant Toowoomba filly Gold Edition including a Group 1 success at historic Flemington.