John Tapp Racing

The former trailblazing jockey talks of her childhood involvement with horses in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot. Pam remembers how she bristled when trying to lead a racehorse onto Eagle Farm racecourse before having to hand it over to a male. She recalls her first battle- the right to ride trackwork. Eventually she got the authorities to agree to the staging of ladies races only. Pam talks of the historic Gold Coast meeting when she became the first woman to compete against men. There were a few red faces when she booted home three winners. She remembers her bitter disappointment when Kiwi Linda Jones was granted permission to ride at Doomben. At the time Pam was restricted to outside tracks. The former jockey recalls the amazing invitation she received to ride in Japan. Pam talks of the cancer scare she endured on returning from Japan. She reminisces about some of her favourite horses with special mention of Supersnack. She was shattered to lose the ride on the brilliant sprinter Breakfast Creek. Pam

Peter begins by talking about the Central Coast stationary business he started with wife Donna after quitting the saddle in 2005. They’ve opened the doors again after the endless covid closure. Peter talks of his love for the NSW central coast where he learned to ride on a local dairy farm. He remembers the school teacher who encouraged him to consider an apprenticeship as a jockey.   Peter recalls his first trip to Sydney and the homesickness that sent him scurrying home after two days. He talks of his apprenticeship to Alan Bailey and the unforgettable early wins that would launch his career. The former popular jockey acknowledges some of his favourite horses from those early years. He pays tribute to the Randwick trainer who gave him great support, and put him on the giant horse he rates as the best he’s ever ridden.  Peter looks back on a brief metropolitan stint after completing his apprenticeship. He looks back on an exciting trip to the UK where he rode a couple of winners and formed a friends

Introducing a nice chat with one of Australia’s most consistent jockeys. Andrew Gibbons works hard, travels far and wide and rides winners on a regular basis.  Andrew talks of the freakish fall at Newcastle in July which saw him miss the first three months of the current season. He outlines the injuries incurred and the long road back to race riding. Andrew pays tribute to his twenty year old son Dylan who ranks among Australia’s most promising apprentices. He says he actually discouraged Dylan from becoming a jockey but gave up when the lad persisted. He talks of Dylan’s amazing first season and his Gr 3 winner on Hunter day. Back to Andrew Gibbons who remembers his obsession with sport. One of his chosen pursuits was a most unlikely one. The jockey talks about the pony who taught him the fundamentals of riding and his lucky break in gaining an apprenticeship with a good trainer and mentor. Andrew pays tribute to the former jockey who took an interest in his progress. He remembers the excitement of r

Great to catch up with a lady whose continued success is bringing her under notice as a very serious horse trainer. Theresa Bateup announced her presence with a metro double on Gong day. She talks about a great winning trot in the month of November. Theresa talks of the horses who made her first metropolitan double a reality. She looks back on an amazing success rate with horses purchased cheaply at the Inglis Scone sale.   Theresa reviews a brilliant Sapphire Coast win by Inglis On Line purchase Crackalacka. The trainer admits she wasn’t expecting such an impressive display. The emerging training talent talks of her training base at Kembla Grange, her loyal staff and clients.   Theresa takes us back to childhood days on the family farm at Stockinbingal and her earliest involvement with horses. She affectionately recalls Saturday afternoons with her mother who worked as an operator with the Cootamundra TAB.   The trainer recalls her growing fascination with racing and the shrine she created at home f

Had a phone call recently from former top jockey Gordon Spinks to tell me that Bruce Compton was in retirement with wife Marina on a Moreton Bay island in Queensland. A quick phone call and we had Bruce locked in for a chat. We check out where he’s living and what he’s doing in retirement. Bruce begins by talking about the final years of his riding career in northern NSW,  and a couple of business ventures he and Marina operated when he quit the saddle.    He highlights a few smart bush gallopers he got to ride at the end of his career, and talks of the health scare that ended it all.   Bruce talks of his exploits as a wine grower and as a waiter in a small restaurant he and Marina opened on their South Kempsey property. The former ace jockey takes us back to early days in Hastings NZ and his apprenticeship to George Cameron at Takanini. He relives the thrill of his very first race win. Bruce talks of three apprentice’s premiership wins and a trip to Sydney for a short stint with the legendary Theo Gre

This is the first podcast we’ve conducted with a non racing participant, but the man in question rates among Australia’s best horsemen. Scott Brodie begins by explaining his role as manager of the Prestige Equestrian Training Centre at Helensburgh. He outlines the facilities available on the property. Scott talks of the riding instruction component of the operation, and the therapy he supervises for Australian Defence Force personnel whose involvement in war zones has left them with emotional problems. He has no doubt some kind of therapeutic benefit evolves when a person suffering from stress or depression has contact with horses. Scott gives his interpretation of the reasons why. Scott talks about the wonderful results he’s had with inmates of correctional institutions who are struggling with life. He reflects on his early connection with horses. Scott looks back on his many years as an active member of the NSW Mounted Police. He talks of the unique Redfern stables where the unit has been based since 1

The CEO of the state’s controlling body talks about the 2021 edition of the Interdominion series, to be held over four exciting nights at three top class racetracks. He answers criticism of the decision to conduct two rounds of heats on regional tracks. John talks of his upbringing in a legendary western districts trotting family. He talks of Ruby Vale Stud at Alectown, a famous breeding farm established by his grandfather William in 1943. The administrator remembers his early experience with horses and his transition to the race driving ranks. He drove five winners in a brief career. John also looks back on his love of Rugby League and a fleeting Involvement as a player.  John looks back on some of the successful stallions to stand at Ruby Vale Stud. He remembers his first administrative role as a committee member of the Parkes Harness Racing Club. He later spent two years as President. John pays tribute to his late father Stan who died very recently and was farewelled by a huge congregation of mourners

It’s always a delight to chat with Darren Gauci who won a million friends during his magnificent riding career. He begins by looking back on his twilight years in the saddle when opportunities were diminishing. Darren will long remember the send off he was accorded at Caulfield in Feb 2017. He responded in the best possible way by riding a winner. Emotions ran high through the day. He talks of his current routine as a jockey mentor for Racing Victoria, and the services available to up and coming young riders. Darren talks of the natural instinct some hopefuls have for riding. He mentions one modern day champion who didn’t have that instinct. The former champion rider looks back on early wins and his first Group 1 at eighteen years of age. He rated the horse very highly. Darren remembers the surprise he got when an enthusiastic fan club started to appear at Melbourne race meetings. He reflects on the wisdom of his master Frank King who devised a simple way to keep his feet on the ground. Darren looks bac

Great to catch up with a 31 year old jockey who’s nudging 1000 career wins. Ben was sitting in his car at the Armidale racecourse when we tracked him down for this interview. He begins by singing the praises of a promising mare he rode at Grafton recently. He makes mention of a recent addition to the Port Macquarie training ranks. He’s already forged an association with Paul Shailer, a former Chris Waller Gold Coast stable manager. Ben pays tribute to the riding talents of his wife Priscilla who quit the saddle to become a Sky Racing host. He talks about the Wauchope horse property managed by Priscilla and her sister Cassandra. Ben rides frequently for his father-in-law, Grafton trainer Dwayne Schmidt. Ben looks back on his apprenticeship to Grafton trainer John Shelton, and his first day as a professional jockey. He reflects on a brief stint with Gai Waterhouse at Randwick. He rode several winners and got to handle some great gallopers in trackwork. The jockey remembers his hero worship of rising star

Great to catch up with a doyen of western districts racing! Gayna recalls the thrill of her first training win with Scarlet Vixen at Orange in 1985. She paid $1400 for the filly at an Inglis sale. She talks of her marriage to Frank Williams and a sudden move to Grafton in 2010. She may still be there had Frank not been offered a job at Gulgong. Gayna talks about seven successful years of training at Mudgee, and a return to Bathurst as recently as 2020. The talented horsewoman rode trackwork for thirty years but knee problems now keep her on the ground. Gayna says she was relatively injury free during her many years on the training tracks. She acknowledges the special horses who’ve helped to keep her at or near the top of the trainer’s ladder for many years. Gayna makes special mention of recent winners like From The Bush, Zoo Station and Tags who are chasing more wins. The trainer expounds on the benefits the TAB Highways have brought to country owners and trainers. Gayna pays tribute to her elderly p

Great to chat with a man who co-founded Hyperion Thoroughbreds, one of the very earliest racehorse syndication companies in Australia. We find out what Allan’s been doing since a crippling recession brought Hyperion’s operation to a halt in 1990. Allan takes us back to his childhood in Gravesend near Warialda when radio was a way of life to country people. He fell in love with the theatre of racing, the day he listened to the broadcast of the 1956 Melbourne Cup.  He talks of school days in Inverell and his first job at the Valuer General’s Department in Sydney. A job transfer to Moree led him to a friendship with Terry Mulhall, destined to become his business partner in later years. Allan reflects on the creation of Hyperion Thoroughbreds and the concept of forming larger syndicates than those offered by predecessors. He recalls the creation of the famous black and pink silks which signalled the emerging popularity of syndication. He reflects on the tough guidelines introduced by the Corporate Affairs Co

Delighted to catch up with a bloke who boasts a racing pedigree to match that of any thoroughbred blueblood. Alan Gollogly is the son of the former successful Queensland jockey of the same name, and the grandson of Fred Best who won 17 Brisbane trainer’s premierships. Throw in his uncle, champion jockey Noel Best for good measure. “Jock” talks of his current role as official track clocker for top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees. He talks of the few hectic hours six mornings a week when he has to identify and clock a large number of horses. “Jock” explains that he was engaged by Kris Lees after being made redundant by the famous form newspaper “Sportsman”.   He talks about his education in the 1960’s at Brisbane’s Nudgee College. His grandfather wasn’t keen for the youngster to work in racing and actually paid his school fees. “Jock” describes the talents of the late Fred Best who is still talked about by veteran Queensland racing men. He remembers the deeds of his uncle Noel Best whose career was hindered by

Thanks to a devoted Melbourne racing historian we were able to access fifty year old recordings of race wins by Dual Choice. Listening to the calls I was reminded of the talents of this flying daughter of Showdown. A quick spot of research, a scripting of the Dual Choice story and some good work from Supernova Sound and we had ourselves a podcast- a podcast for old timers like me, and those who like to hear about a good horse from any era. My thanks to Dennis Najim, Bert Bryant and John Russell. Let’s head down memory lane.

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