John Tapp Racing

In this segment the gentleman trainer pays tribute to his horse of a lifetime Sky Heights who won $4.2 million dollars in prize money. Colin reflects on all his major wins and the puzzling blood disorder which plagued him for the latter part of his career. Alderson talks of his thirty years as President of the Victorian Trainers Association, part of the time running the Australian operation. Colin speaks glowingly of the famous Cranbourne training centre which he believes will cater for 1000 horses when Caulfield shuts down its training base in four years time. The  champion trainer pays tribute to the talents of his daughter Cindy who took over the Alderson stables when Colin retired three years ago.

The respected Victorian trainer talks of his childhood on a dairy farm at Seaford and of his hard working father’s love of the thoroughbred. Colin recalls his aspirations to become a jockey and his brief experience at the Drouin picnic races. He remembers with affection a mare called Byam Rose who launched his career as a trainer. Colin reflects on the career of his first genuine group performer Nicholas John, and the big plunge the horse landed in winning the AJC Metropolitan. He reminisces about the courageous Sea Legend who should have gone close to winning the 1986 Melbourne Cup. He remembers with affection horses like Apollo Run, Dapper’s Hope and Alderson the horse most people thought he’d named after himself. He tells the real story.

Great to catch up with respected trainer Richard Jolly who talks of his newly formed training partnership with daughter Chantelle. He discusses the parlous state of prize money levels in SA and the exodus of trainers to other states. Richard looks back on his days as an apprentice jockey, and the thrill of riding a Group 1 winner at age 17. He talks of his transition to the training ranks, and the Derby win that launched phase two of his racing life. Richard pays tribute to the talented horses who've helped him to the top bracket of Adelaide trainers. He makes special mention of the outstanding apprentice jockeys to come through his Morphettville stables.  

In this segment “the Shadow” looks back on the arrival of satellite sports television in Australia. He was one of the pioneers. He talks of the humble origins of Club Superstation which later became Sky Channel.  Graham reflects on the enormity of the home service which changed the face of racing in 1998. He looks back on many of his famous documentaries and reveals his own personal favourites.

In segment 1 Graham talks of childhood days in his father’s Croydon Park butcher shop , and the second business that flourished behind the counter. He talks of his association with the dynamic Frank Kennedy who got him started as a race caller. Graham recalls his days as understudy to Des Hoysted and his unforgettable experience at the Bong Bong Cup. He talks of his low key key beginning at Channel 10 which led to his appointment as regular sports presenter on the station’s nightly news bulletin.

In part 2 Greg pays tribute to a horse he loved- the tough and aggressive Zeditave, winner of 14 from 17. Hall rode him in 11 of those wins. He fondly remembers his old favourite Subzero- the horse to give him his only Melbourne Cup success. He delights in telling the story about his one and only ride on the wonderful Super Impose. Together they won the “rough house” Cox Plate of 1992. He talks with great affection of his favourite horse Mahogany. He rode the versatile horse in 34 0f 43 starts for 17 wins, including 7 Group 1’s. Greg pays his respects to Durbridge who gave him an AJC Derby win. He reflects on two Golden Slipper wins. One of them resulted in a 2 month suspension and a record $50,000 fine. And perhaps the best Greg Hall story of all. His Sydney Cup win on Major Drive, part owned by Kerry Packer.As he moved into the barrier he had no idea Packer had plunged 7 million dollars on the 3 year old Myocard. This man has some amazing tales of the turf.

The former champion jockey talks about his current state of health and takes us through the emotional struggles of his post racing life. Greg recalls the separation of his parents and many other childhood memories. He talks of his days as an apprentice jockey with several different trainers in Melbourne and Sydney. He remembers the thrill of his first Group 1 success on Innisfree in the Stradbroke- a horse trained by his father. He looks back on his association with legendary trainer Angus Armanasco and Turf Ruler, the horse to put him under the spotlight. He talks of his association with bookmaker Mark Read and the famous “plunge” horse Getting Closer.

Great to chat with highly respected jockey Jeff Penza who reflects on the horror fall at Queanbeyan that sidelined him for ten months. Jeff talks about the decision he made many years ago to become a travelling jockey. He’s been concentrating on provincial and country meetings which have brought him 1074 winners in ten years. The popular jockey talks of his apprenticeship to Peter Balzen, and winning associations with trainers like Dr. Geoff Chapman, Jack Denham, Paul Sutherland and Chris Waller. Jeff talks about his family, his property on Sydney’s outskirts and the showjumpers who’ve helped him to get back to race riding. He recalls the day in 2015 when he almost beat Winx on a Hawkesbury trained galloper called Sons Of John. This is a review of the career of a gifted jockey who chose to get on the road to make his living. He’s ridden hundreds of winners and made a million friends along the way.

It was a delight to catch up with the young lady who arrived from Sweden just under five years ago hoping to get some opportunities in Melbourne’s Monte races. Kima talks about her early days in Australia riding trotters rather than driving them. She slowly made the transition to the sulky, and after a shaky start suddenly emerged as a promising driver. Kima talks about the tremendous support she’s had from  trainers and owners. She pays tribute to I’m The Boss, the horse to launch her career. She looks back on the Shepparton Cup win when she got up to beat her boss David Aiken on the champion Lenny The Shark. She apologised to David as they went past the post. She talks of Wrapper’s Delight, the horse to take her to another level with a win in an Inter Dominion heat at Ballarat. Kima speaks fondly of Buster Brady, the first horse she’s trained in her own right. Together they’ve won a string of country Cups, and they haven’t finished yet.

In Part 2 Bruce recalls his introduction to Kerry Packer. He took a wager from Packer when another bookie declined. He talks of Kerry’s visits to the big Randwick carnivals, and the volume of his betting. He remembers the occasion when he had to put a limit on the world’s biggest punter. Bruce reflects on Packer’s approach to gambling. He goes on to talk of his days on the Committee of the Sydney Turf Club, and his three years as Chairman. Bruce is happy to reflect on the impact of Kerry Packer’s betting on his own future.

The former high profile bookmaker remembers his grandfather Jim McHugh who rode the 1898 Epsom Hcp winner. He pays tribute to his father Bill McHugh himself a popular bookie on Sydney tracks in the days of huge race crowds. He talks of his maternal grandmother Hilda who also possessed a gambling streak. She gave Bruce his first business loan. Bruce recalls his earliest days fielding at the trots at Bulli, Hawkesbury and Penrith. He recalls his slow transition to the galloping tracks, and the bizarre circumstances under which he was promoted to the main interstate ring.

Thirty year old Victorian Mitchell Beer reveals that he didn’t want to be in racing when it was time to look at career options- he chose a golf apprenticeship. He confesses that the magic of the thoroughbred lured him back and set him on a career he hoped would lead him to a future as a trainer. Mitchell reminisces about his early years as the son of a highly respected jockey. He takes us through the formative years when he was tutored by some of the best in the business. He talks of his start in a training partnership with veteran Max Hinton at Mornington. Mitchell takes us through his reasons for moving to NSW, and his progress since arriving in Albury ten months ago.  

In Part 2 Jeff reveals the reason he decided to leave South Africa for a safer life in Australia. He talks of his feeling of uncertainty when he arrived unannounced in Sydney, one of the world’s toughest racing towns. Jeff recalls those important early wins in Australia, and the trainers who gave him valued support. He talks of his ATC Derby win- the one that launched his Aussie career. He remembers a Hong Kong stint which brought him a Group 1 success. Jeff reflects on his arrival in Queensland, and the frightening stroke which put him on the sidelines for over a year. At an age when most jockeys have long quit the saddle, this man was able to come back and win 4 Brisbane jockey’s premierships.

This could be the most comprehensive interview ever given by the former champion jockey. Jeff recalls his early childhood in England where he would watch the races on television with his father, and his fascination with legendary jockey Lester Piggott. He talks about the stern discipline he experienced at the South African Jockeys Academy in Durban and his first apprenticeship. The great jockey reflects on his wonderful career in South Africa and the astonishing milestones he achieved. He pays tribute to the best horse he’s ridden anywhere in the world, and to the great jockeys who provided him with tough competition.

In Part 2  Pam O’Neill recalls the amazing invitation she received to ride in Japan for a month. She talks of the cancer scare she got on returning from the Japan trip. Pam reflects on some of her favourite horses. She won 18 races on Supersnack and gave the horse a home for life when his racing days were over. She talks of the brilliant sprinter Breakfast Creek and the disappointment when she lost the ride. Pam talks of her life as a mother and grand mother. She pays tribute to her late husband Colin O’Neill a former brilliant jockey and very successful trainer.

We finally catch up with the remarkable Queensland lady who pioneered the cause of Australia’s female jockeys four decades ago. In Part 1 Pam O’Neill talks of her childhood involvement with horses in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot. She recalls how she bristled when trying to lead one of her father’s racehorses onto Eagle Farm racecourse, and had to hand it over to a male. She remembers winning her first battle to be allowed to ride trackwork. She recalls her first win over the establishment. They finally agreed to ladies races at registered meetings. Finally she broke down the barriers. Pam has never forgotten the Gold Coast meeting where she became the first woman to ride against men in Australia. She rode 3 winners. What a statement! She talks of her bitter disappointment when New Zealander Linda Jones was allowed to ride against men at Doomben. At that stage Pam wasn’t allowed to ride on city tracks.  

In part 2 the hard working trainer pays tribute to his “horse in a million” Ultimate Art. Kirsty raced the stallion for his entire career. Michael describes him as “the horse who paid off the mortgage”. Formosa explains the origins of his well known racing colours. He speaks fondly of the nickname bestowed upon him by a prominent trots commentator. He looks at his long term goals.

For the trot fans we talk to one of the sport’s quiet achievers. Michael Formosa has gone quietly about his business for twenty years, racking up 1000 wins in the process. Michael talks of his family background, and his eight year apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. He talks of the uncle who got him interested in harness horses at an early age, and the veteran trainer who taught him principles he follows to this day. Michael reflects on his chance meeting with Kirsty Goodyear an apprentice jockey who was to become his wife and the mother of his two daughters. He looks back on the horror Maitland fall which could have put him in a wheelchair.

In part 2 Leon reflects on sixteen years as Bart’s Melbourne foreman during which time he got to work with some of the best horses in Australia. He talks of his resignation from Bart’s employ which saw him take out his own trainer’s licence. He reflects on the temporary lapse in his friendship with Bart Cummings. Leon highlights Starspangledbanner and Helenus two of the best horses he trained under his own name.

In Part 1 the experienced horseman talks about his early days in Adelaide as an apprentice jockey. He recalls his association with Proud Miss one of Australia’s best two year olds in the 1960’s. Leon pays tribute to his master, renowned trainer Graham Heagney and his reasons for turning his back on racing for eight years. He remembers the circumstances which saw him become a trackwork rider for Bart Cummings in Adelaide, and the career change that took him to Victoria.