John Tapp Racing

Darryl McLellan’s recent retirement announcement caught a few racing mates by surprise. It was well known that the 54 year old was still enjoying his riding and happy to travel big mileage if the mounts were there. He aggravated an old shoulder problem in an accident at Port Macquarie last December which sidelined him for five months. After just 22 rides on the comeback trail he knew the troublesome shoulder was destined to bring the curtain down on his very successful career. “Digger” is still dealing with the frustration of having to stop before he was ready, but kindly consented to join us on the podcast. The veteran jockey says he’s having fresh scans currently to determine the long range future of a shoulder he injured initially in 2009. He takes us back to a Sunday meeting at Port Macquarie in late December when a fall from a “bucking bronco” aggravated a fifteen year old injury. Darryl reflects on his very first job as an apprentice spray painter. Workmates constantly encouraged him to consider a futur