John Tapp Racing

In Part 1 the veteran horseman talks of his interest in thoroughbred breeding and his current  involvement with Written By’s new life at the famous Widden Stud. Neville talks of two year old filly Mildred winner of two juvenile races in Melbourne. He manages the Hinchinbrook filly who’s trained by his son Graeme. He takes us back a long time to his apprenticeship with the legendary Maurice McCarten who had been a wonderful jockey and was on his way to a stellar training career. Neville talks of his close association with the great racehorse and sire Todman. He touches on the afternoons when he rode exercise alongside Bernborough. Neville pays tribute to Winona Girl, one of the greatest mares in history. She recorded 27 wins and 26 placings. The great horseman remembers the ill fated Neville Sellwood who died in a race fall in France in 1962. Begg knew him well. Neville reflects on his entry into the Sydney training ranks and the early Gr 1 winner who came out of the blue.

The popular Gold Coast trainer recalls the horror accident a month ago when he was slammed onto the concrete pavement by a runaway horse. Toby talks of early days in the NSW Hunter Valley and the wonderful foster family who reared him. The successful horseman looks back on his modest beginnings as a professional trainer, and one special horse who got him started. Toby talks of his move to the Gold Coast and the owner who persuaded him to become his private trainer at Warwick Farm. Edmonds has never forgotten the day he bought a certain colt for Ray Gall at the Inglis Classic sale. He actually won a race with I Am Invincible. The trainer reflects on the trauma of a positive swab which originally saw him disqualified for six months, later downgraded to a three month suspension. Toby talks of his appointment as Queensland foreman for the burgeoning Nathan Tinkler empire. He was stunned a year later when that empire collapsed, leaving him high and dry. Toby takes us through Houtzen’s career from the Magic Million

In the second segment the champion jockey looks back on his first Group 1 winner as a fully fledged jockey- again provided by T.J.Smith. Gordon pays tribute to Black Onyx, a great sprinter of the early seventies who gave him a Doomben $10,000 win. He looks back on his retainer as number two jockey for the powerful Stan Fox stable at Rosehill. He talks of his admiration for the stable’s number one rider, the legendary Athol Mulley. Gordon talks of a working holiday in England where he rode for leading trainer Sam Armstrong. He remembers many a “weight shedding” jogging session with Armstrong’s son in law Lester Piggott. He recalls another overseas trip at the suggestion of Irish training legend Dermot Weld. On arriving home he began an association with Jack and Bob Ingham who were spending freely at the yearling sales. Gordon reflects on his final overseas adventure in Tehran where racing had just begun. The sport was doomed from the moment the Shah was overthrown in 1979. Old timers will remember the achievem

In part 1 Gordon talks of the heart attack he suffered while driving from Longreach to Brisbane. He didn’t realise he’d had a cardiac issue. The 72 year old reveals that his heart problems aren’t over yet. The former outstanding jockey looks back on childhood days in Sydney, and the neighbour’s pony he couldn’t wait to ride. Gordon reflects on the newspaper advertisement which lured him to Theo Green’s Rosehill stables. He recalls the track gallops with Theo by his side, and the start of his mateship with fellow apprentice Ron Quinton. Spinks explains why he preferred to use his middle name, rather than his given one. Gordon remembers his first winning ride at Mudgee and his first metropolitan winner. He recalls the beginning of a successful association with T.J.Smith. He was stunned when the champion trainer began giving him Group 1 rides when he was still an apprentice. Gordon has never forgotten a last to first win on NZ mare Unpainted in the 1968 Doncaster.

In Part 2 Matthew talks of his participation on the 4 man commentary team used by the BBC at the Aintree Grand National. He got to call from the commentary position at Becher’s Brook-perhaps the most famous of all the Aintree obstacles. He talks of his love for tennis and his nine year association with Tennis Australia, as a caller and courtside interviewer.  Matt  looks back on the amazing number of sports he’s covered at Summer and Winter olympics. He speaks with great honesty about the lethal virus he contracted during the Beijing Olympics. He recalls the ravages of Melioidosis, a virus present in contaminated soil and water. He looks back on the days when his life hung in the balance. Matt reflects on the decision to leave Sydney and the grand farewell he was given by one special country race club. No Matt Hill podcast would be complete without his tribute to Winx. He called the champion in two of her four Cox Plate wins. This is a review of the first nineteen years of an amazing career. A great listen.  

The outstanding young sports commentator talks of the pressures associated with the job during the famous Melbourne Cup Carnival. Matt outlines his reasons for leaving the top race caller’s job in Sydney, to become an AFL commentator for ABC radio in Melbourne. He recalls the shock he received when he heard of Greg Miles’ impending retirement on a news broadcast. He was on holiday in England when he learned the job was his. Matt recalls school days in Melbourne and his role as race day assistant to both Brian Martin and Greg Miles. He looks back on many race calling opportunities he’s had around the world. Some in a guest capacity, others on assignment. He’s loved every one of them.

We catch up with Stephen Baster whose infectious smile has been a part of Victorian racing for almost thirty years.  The popular jockey explains his decision to quit the saddle recently for a new career in real estate. Steve talks of the fairy tale ending when he won a Group 3 race at his very last ride. He reveals that he’s been thinking of a career change for some time. Steve looks back on his first apprenticeship with Mark Riley who put him on a Group 1 winner as a 3KG claiming apprentice. He talks of his lucky run in the famous sprint races the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket. He pays tribute to the grand mare Divine Madonna and talks  of his early association with Gai Waterhouse. Stephen reflects on his Melbourne Cup rides and the thrill of a third placing for Aidan O’Brien. He makes special mention of Awesome Rock, Pinot and the horse he says was the best he ever rode the brilliant Lion Hunter. He said the grey stallion was robbed of Group 1 glory by a career ending injury. Steve talks of his marriage to j

Great to catch up with popular Malcolm Fitzgerald who looks back on a horror two weeks in which the bushfires came dangerously close to the Racing NSW property he manages near Taree. Mal talks of the job he loves, as he and partner Holly supervise the welfare of 60 former racehorses at Oxley Island. The couple assess and place suitable horses in the right homes.  Mal reflects on his childhood with foster parents and the ambition to become a jockey. He talks of early days as a bush apprentice and the opportunity that led him to a job with the huge Nebo Lodge operation at Rosehill. Mal looks back on a torturous battle with weight which almost certainly contributed to the bout of encephalitis that sidelined him for 9 months. Through the toughest of times Malcolm Fitzgerald has never lost his sense of humour. It’s very evident all the way through this chat with one of racing’s good blokes.

An absorbing chat with a Nyngan based jockey who turns 27 this week. She explains the reason for her move from Tamworth to drought ravaged Nyngan. Wendy talks about her endless trip from Nyngan to ride at a recent Toowoomba meeting, and the return trip to the Warren (NSW) races the following day. She recalls her early introduction to horses and the many disciplines she learned in the saddle. Wendy takes us through her experiences on stud farms at home and overseas. She identifies the turning point. The moment she knew she wanted to be a jockey. Wendy reflects on a stint with Gai Waterhouse and apprenticeships to Peter Robl at Randwick and Sue Grills at Tamworth. She looks back on a horror fall at Tamworth in March which caused major damage to her right shoulder. Wendy pays tribute to her favourite horses and horse people. This lady was born to ride. There’s nothing else she’d rather do. A great listen is Wendy Peel.

This is a different kind of podcast. Rather than talk to an established racehorse syndicator, we introduce a man who has just started out in a tough business. David Thompson talks of a love of racing born when he struck a profitable Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1993. He recalls the win by Fraar and the dream that led him to coupling the horse with a bank of Melbourne Cup runners. He bought a car out of the winnings. Dave talks of a job redundancy and a sudden illness that laid him low for a full year. He recalls the support of wife Jacqui who encouraged him to have a crack at racehorse syndication. Dave recalls his first yearling sale at Scone, and the second at Inglis 2018 Classic Sale. So far he’s purchased only three yearlings. One is yet to be syndicated. He talks of the people who’ve joined him so far with a couple of touching stories thrown in. Dave reflects on the TAB Sponsorship that allowed Thompson Thoroughbreds to sponsor a race at Albury. This is a bloke who’s following a dream.

The talented jockey talks of his busy life and the arduous travelling he does to attend country and provincial meetings. Christian talks of school days in Queensland and the unlikely subject he took a liking to. He talks of his apprenticeship to the man destined to become his father in law. He looks back on an accident that could have finished his career before it started. Christian talks of his very first race ride, and the thrill of his first win. The popular jockey reveals that he was diagnosed with depression as a teenager. Christian talks with total honesty about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction. He reflects on an offer to become stable jockey for Graham Rogerson at Randwick. The winners continued to flow despite his emotional problems. The jockey looks back on his nervous breakdown and months of rehabilitation. He talks of the moment he knew he wanted to ride again. Christian recalls his return to Sydney and the resurgence of his career with the support of many trainers. He pays tribute to the

Blake looks back on school holidays at Moree with his late grandfather, one of his valued tutors. The young jockey reflects on his apprenticeship to Newcastle trainer Steve Hodge. He talks of the magic moment when he won at his very first race ride. Blake looks back on the unforgettable day at Rosehill when he rode five winners on a Saturday programme. He pays tribute to Sir John Hawkwood, the imported English horse who gave him a maiden Group 1 victory. He looks back on the days when his manager was his mother Leanda Blake remembers the good horses and the trainers who’ve helped him along the way.

Blake talks of the nasty fall at Hawkesbury which cost him many months of race riding. He expands on his current situation at the regular Newcastle and Kembla Saturday meetings where his services are being used by Godolphin and other high profile stables. Blake talks of his impending marriage to Rachel King and the way in which he popped the question. Blake reflects on his childhood as the son of busy jockey Dale Spriggs who refused some tempting offers to come to town. He reflects on school days when he showed special talents in athletics and on the soccer field.

Anybody who watches Sky Racing on Saturday nights will be aware of the achievements of Skye Bogenhuber at the regular Toowoomba meetings in recent years. The thoroughly professional jockey has won 5 Toowoomba premierships, and went very close to a sixth. Skye talks of her recent return to the saddle following a six months enforced lay off. She suffered a bleed to the brain in a nasty fall at the Toowoomba jump outs, and faced a long period of rehabilitation. You’ll enjoy her recollections of life growing up in the NSW Blue Mountains, and her trips to the local Pub and Club TAB with her late father Joe. She talks of her passion for athletics during school days, and an obsession with training. Skye reflects on her time as a student at the Uni of NSW. She has never forgotten the moment she spotted a racehorse from her classroom window opposite Randwick racecourse. She takes us through her learning period in riding tuition at the Richmond TAFE, and her subsequent apprenticeships in Grafton and Brisbane. The Bogen

Just on a year ago I had the pleasure of recording a lengthy chat with a man who has been a major player in the ranks of  Australia’s harness racing drivers for 45 years. Gavin Lang at age 60 is currently battling a rare form of lymphoma at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital. He’s a week into his second round of chemotherapy, and is uppermost in the thoughts of his fans and friends around the nation. If you missed the podcast on its initial posting, I hope you can tune in this time to hear the legendary horseman reflect on a stellar career. He talks of his return to the training ranks after years of freelance race driving. He talks of the miles he’s travelled to achieve 6300 career wins. He pays tribute to his father Graham Lang, himself a master horseman and a wonderful tutor in the early days. Gavin reflects on the long list of outstanding horses he’s had the pleasure to drive. He talks of his role models among Victoria’s driving ranks of the 70’s and 80’s. His current illness is not his first. He recalls another

In part one Craig talks about his recent haul of winners at the two day Kalgoorlie Cup carnival. He explains why he made the surprise move to return to his home state of Tasmania after many successful years in Melbourne. Her remembers his early days as an apprentice in Tasmania. Craig recalls the surprise phone call from Lee Freedman offering him a job that any apprentice in Australia would have died for. He talks of his very first Gr 1 winner, and the disqualification that turned his life upside down. Craig reflects on his association with the brilliant mare Miss Andretti, and reveals that her temperament didn’t match her great talent. He remembers his whirlwind trip to the UK and the thrill of winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Miss Andretti. Craig heaps praise on one of his all time favourites Pompeii Ruler. Many will be surprised to learn that Newitt rates this horse the best he’s ridden. The jockey looks back on the day he was summoned into the stewards room to be given some tragic news. H

In this segment Bernie reflects on his search for the ideal standardbred training property. He found the place of his dreams at George’s Plains. He pays tribute to the talented horses who’ve helped him along in a tough business. Bernie elaborates on his liking for younger horses. He’s never been one to hang onto older horses forever. He prefers to move them on in order to try a new batch.

Bernie recalls his freakish fall at Eugowra recently, and the injuries he sustained. He looks back on early days on the farm at Crookwell (NSW) and the lessons he learned from his late father Tom. Bernie reflects on the neighbor’s horse that gave him his first winning drive. The master horseman remembers Nikalong Shadow the first really good horse he got to drive. Tom Hewitt trained Nikalong Shadow but Bernie drove him to 43 wins. Bernie talks about the offer from a prominent owner/breeder which prompted his move from Crookwell to Bathurst twenty years ago.

Brilliant WA apprentice Jade McNaught reflects on her history making feat at the Belmont track on September 14th 2019, when she became the first apprentice in the state to win six races in one day on a metro track. Jade talks of her decision to become an apprentice jockey at age 30, twice the age of most junior riders. She reflects on her first two ponies and her achievements at pony club and in the show ring. Jade remembers the experience she gained working with performance horses and on a well known WA stud farm. Jade McNaught’s journey has been an inspiring one. She talks to us from the Geraldton races at the end of a four hour road trip from Perth.

Suman looks back on his time with Woodside Park Stud, and a request from Sheriff Iskander which led him to the purchase of a Northern Meteor colt later to be known as Zoustar. He talks of his decision to leave the breeding side of the business to concentrate on yearlings, weanlings and overseas horses. Suman talks of the backing he’s getting from loyal supporters who are prepared to back his judgement. He discusses the upsurge in weanling sales and the new concept known as ‘pin hooking”. Suman talks of a recent pleasant surprise provided by a pin hooker. He pays tribute to the people who help him raise and nurture the young bloodstock he intends to sell on.  He acknowledges the contribution of his wife Natalia who has supported him every step of the way.