John Tapp Racing

In Part 1 Danny talks of his sudden decision to quit the saddle and his move into the Singapore training ranks. He talks of his association with Lim Siah Mong, who has an enormous investment in Singapore racing. The former top jockey reflects on his early days in the Riverina, and pays tribute to his father Bob whose riding career was terminated by a race fall. Danny talks of the day he answered an SOS from Graeme Begg to make a dash to Rosehill for two rides. Both horses won. He looks back on a stint at Flemington with the Freedman stable, and the opportunities he was given by David Hayes who had stables next door. Danny talks of his time with Graeme Begg and the trip to Hong Kong which changed his career. Back in Sydney he couldn’t wait to try out the European style of race riding.

In Part 2 Max remembers the lucky day when he bought a share in Savabeel, the Zabeel colt destined to become a Cox Plate winner and a very successful stallion. He reviews Savabeel’s racing career and his subsequent move to the famous Waikato Stud in NZ where he’s gone on to sire around 100 stakes winners. Max reflects on the devastating stock market crash of 1987. He lost everything and actually went back to work at the famous Bourbon and Beefsteak at King’s Cross. He sadly reflects on the premature passing of the girl he married when he was just 21 years old. Jen, his wife of 46 years succumbed to cancer 18 months ago. Max reflects on his Grafton Cup win with First Crush. Jen knew how badly he wanted to win that Cup, but was too ill to attend. He looks back on some of the best horses he’s owned or part owned including Honour In War who angered the crowd when he took the Villiers off Takeover Target on protest. Max talks of his love of a punt. He’s not a form student but absorbs everything he hears at the tra

It was a treat to catch up with the ebullient Max Whitby. In Part 1 Max talks of his current role as Managing Director of Propex Derivatives- a respected proprietary trading firm. He explains the role of another company Envirobank Recycling which provides litter solutions for beverage. Max proudly explains the operation of his syndication company Mi Runners which has brought close to 5000 new owners into racing. He loves this venture. He talks of his participation in the Everest Slot Holders concept. No luck so far, but he’s having another crack this year. Max takes us back to his childhood at Bangalow (NSW) and the influence of his grandfather on his life. He remembers his days as a jackeroo on the Amaroo cattle station, and the extraordinary circumstances that brought him to Sydney and to the Texas Tavern at King’s Cross. Max talks with affection of Bernie Houghton, a Sydney based American who took a shine to the young bloke from Bangalow. He talks of his new job with the rural commodity firm Nicholls, and

In this segment the 3 time premiership winning jockey remembers the great trainer Jack Green who took a liking to the curly haired kid from the Begg stable. Kevin recalls the help he got from George Ryder who had introduced the ARABS racing syndicates designed to bring smaller owners into the game. George was another to support young K.Moses. He recalls his very first winner and his first city treble at Canterbury. Kev talks of his 1976 Doncaster win on Authentic Heir- a very important win at that stage of his career. He takes us through his exciting 1980 Golden Slipper win on Dark Eclipse, and the one and only time he got to ride champion Emancipation- one ride for one win in the Edward Manifold Stakes. He recalls Group 1 winners like Lord Hybrow, Palace Revolt, and All Our Mob. Kevin dwells on his association with the remarkable Stylish Century. He won a Victoria Derby and an AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the gallant little horse, and was beaten a head by Almaarad in a W.S.Cox Plate. The sixty seven year ol

In Part 1 Moses talks of his current role as a trainer, and a knee problem which requires surgery. He reflects on the impact of a positive swab returned by one of his horses in 2015 resulting in a shock disqualification. Kevin looks back on twenty years as a trainer and the nice horses to pass through his hands. He pays tribute to former Gold Coast trainer Alan Bailey who was his mentor in the early days. He talks of his passion for riding trackwork after becoming a trainer, and pays tribute to son Shane and devoted wife Jenny who put endless hours into the training operation. Kevin brings us up to date on daughter Tanya and younger son Darren both of whom are running their own businesses. He talks of life as a grandparent.

Corey talks of the frustration as he struggles with his slow-healing spinal injuries. He recalls the Queensland Derby fall that shattered his T7 vertabra and the subsequent major surgery. The champion jockey reflects on his great career and the Kempsey fall he suffered at his very first race ride. Corey talks about his first Melbourne Cup win on Shocking in 2009. He remembers everything going wrong in the race but says the horse was able to get away with it. He takes us through his second Cup win on Rekindling in 2017 and the thrill of having his wife Kylie and three daughters at Flemington to share his happiness. Corey reflects on that special day when he won three Gr 1 races at Royal Randwick.  He pays a heartfelt tribute to the amazing Apache Cat and the five consecutive Gr 1’s he won on the enormously popular sprinter. Corey recalls his 18 months stint with Lee Freedman on the Mornington Peninsula. The champion jockey talks of his involvement with Channel 7 and Racing.Com during last year’s Spring carniva

Cameron reviews his recent trip to NZ when he finished second on the points table in the Australasian Young Drivers Championship. He talks of his reaction to the news that he will represent Australia in a World Junior Drivers Series in Sweden later this year. Cameron talks of his Riverina upbringing and the strong trotting background from which he descends. The young driver looks back on his days in the popular mini trots, and his champion pony Energiser. He pays tribute to the uncle who taught him all of the basics and provided his first winner. Cameron talks of the job he was offered by Menangle trainer Shane Sanderson and the success that followed. Young Cameron pays tribute to his favourite horses so far.

To mark the festive season I’d like to present one of our favourite podcasts from the early days of the website. Wayne no longer manages jockey Travis Wolfgram as he did when the podcast was recorded in 2018. He has however taken over the management of visiting Irish apprentice Tom Sherry, who’s showing plenty of promise. Tom joins Robbie Dolan and Chris O’Brien on the Wayne Harris team. The former champion jockey takes us through his roller coaster career, which brought him many dazzling highs and some devastating lows. He talks of his thrilling Melbourne Cup win on Jeune. He learned he was riding the horse after the barrier draw on the Saturday night. He takes us through the great race step by step. He talks of Jeune’s explosive C.F.Orr Stakes win the following Autumn. Wayne reflects on his serious illness after riding Jeune in the Japan Cup. He remembers the thrill of riding 5 winners on a Randwick programme as an apprentice. He reveals the circumstances under which he got the ride on Century Miss in the G

In Part 2 Scott reflects on the $20,000 Inglis Classic filly who went on to win $3.2 million including a Golden Slipper and a Moir Stakes. She Will Reign was a tremendous advertisement for Darby Racing. The syndicator pays tribute to his “surprise packet” Samadoubt who looked like being a handy Benchmark horse, but suddenly snatched Group 1 glory. He pays tribute to several regular Darby Racing trainers including Mark Newnham who currently has twenty horses in work for the company. Scott elaborates on Darby Racing’s recent entry into the international market. He talks of the lightly raced Harpo Marx who has a stunning pedigree, and form around the Melbourne Cup runner up Il Paradiso. He talks of the company policy regarding horses who are battling in the metropolitan area. Scott talks of the family who support his passion for thoroughbred syndication. Scott Darby is a perfect example of a bloke who tenaciously pursued his dream.

In Part 1 Scott Darby talks of the yearling sale selection criteria, which has led him to many winners. He talks of his early fascination with racing and his desire to become a jockey. Scott reflects on the intimidating experience of an interview with Tommy Smith. He looks back on a job with trainer Clarrie Conners in the early 90’s. He talks of his earliest attempts in the field of syndication. Scott remembers with affection his flying start as a syndicator. A Gimcrack Stakes win with a $15,000 filly. He talks of two young horses he purchased and later sold on. They ran 2nd and 4th in a Golden Slipper. He was very angry with himself. Scott pays tribute to his first syndicated Gr 1 winner, the $10,000 Inglis Classic graduate Yankee Rose. She gave twenty owners an exciting ride.

HRNSW presents a chat with respected trainer/driver Ashlee Grives who’s currently going through a very sad time. Ashlee explains the debilitating colic attack which struck her wonderful race mare Ameretto, and two subsequent surgical procedures. Ash reflects on the day she paid $3500 for a filly destined to win $565,000, and a coveted Gr 1 The Queen Of The Pacific. The talented trainer explains her decision to move Ameretto to a Melbourne stable at the height of the mare’s powers. Ash reveals she has a foal out of Amaretto thanks to the wonders of embryo transfer. She reminisces about her earliest days in the sulky and a job with the famous Randwick Equine Vet Centre. Ashlee has never forgotten the day she became the first NSW female driver to reach 100 winners in a season. She talks about her husband’s transition to the care and management of harness horses. Ryan was a builder/bricklayer by trade but had to learn about horses in a hurry. Ash analyses her current role as a horse trainer and the responsibiliti

The talented Victorian jockey takes us through the freak accident which fractured both his legs. He describes the extent of the injuries. Jamie talks of a family background which has produced jockeys and trainers for several generations. He reflects on his apprenticeship to grandmother Janet and later to Leon Corstens. Jamie speaks candidly about his failure to pass two random jockeys room drug tests. During the second disqualification he got his weight under control, and couldn’t wait to get back. He pays a touching tribute to the late Russell Cameron, the trainer who believed in him through thick and thin. Jamie talks of the young Cameron employee destined to become his wife. Jamie and Carol Anne now have a young son Henry, and another boy on the way. The jockey talks of his fascination with jumpers, and pays tribute to some of the better horses he’s ridden on the flat.   

In part 2 the legendary trainer pays tribute to his all time favourite Emancipation, winner of 19 races. He draws comparisons with Sunline and Winx. Neville has good things to say about Dalmacia, a horse he was offered over the birdcage fence at a race meeting. He looks back on his Golden Slipper win with Dark Eclipse in 1980 with his former apprentice Kevin Moses in the saddle. Neville looks back on a 20 year association with Ron Quinton. They were one of the strongest combinations ever seen in Sydney racing. He talks of Veloso and Best Western, the two that got away.  He trained them both early in their careers, but lost them to other trainers after ownership changes. Neville concludes with reflections of his training years in Hong Kong. He returned to Australia in 1996 and never trained again.

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