John Tapp Racing

Jack Bruce quickly made his mark after joining the Queensland training ranks in 2022. The NZ born 35 year old didn’t even contemplate applying for a trainer’s licence until he felt good and ready for the task at hand. Despite being the holder of two notable University degrees, Jack made up his mind early in life that horse training was his ultimate goal. He had early experience at Windsor Park Stud before gaining selection for the Godolphin Flying Start programme. He worked under a succession of leading trainers in his early years- Mike De Kock, John O’Shea, Bjorn Baker, Chris Waller and Maher/Eustace all contributed to his education. He started with only seven horses at Deagon on Brisbane’s outskirts but quickly made a statement. Today he’s working over 60 horses from stables at Deagon and on the Sunny Coast. Jack joins us on the podcast to talk about his exciting journey from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch to the professional training scene in Brisbane. He talks about the benefits of his Unive

Mack Griffith has long been regarded as one of the most astute country based trainers in the state. He learned the trade from his late father John before taking out his own licence  on the occasion of his 18th  birthday. Mack joined an elite group when he won with his very first starter Acacia Ridge at Quirindi and has maintained an excellent strike rate ever since. He took a long break from racehorse training to manage Gooree Stud’s spelling and pre-training division at Mudgee, a role he filled for close to a decade. When Gooree ceased operations in 2020, Mack decided to stay in the district and is currently training a 15 horse team at the Mudgee racecourse. The 55 year old joins us on the podcast to look back on his life in racing. He begins by explaining the origins of his unusual christian name.  Mack talks of his 25 acre farm on the outskirts of Mudgee where his horses spend a lot of time. He talks of a recent trip to the Mackay Cup carnival with two members of his 15 horse team Aimpoint and Amicus Curi

David McColm’s handling of media commitments after the 2024 Kosciuszko won him many friends. It was well documented that his talented horse Far Too Easy had endured several setbacks over the previous couple of years and public interest was high. All David wanted to do in post race interviews was deflect the credit to others. The enormity of the moment triggered unbridled emotion in the former apprentice jockey who’s now approaching forty years as a professional horse trainer. I’ve been looking forward to having David McColm on the podcast, and we’ve finally pinned him down for a chat. He says stable star Far Too Easy will return to the stable next month after the longest break of his career. David looks back on two uncharacteristically disappointing runs during the Brisbane carnival. The trainer takes us back to the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale and the input of his teenage son Archie. David says the journey with Far Too Easy has been better for the presence of close friends in the ownership.  He says ongoing

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

Queensland has long been regarded as a nursery for budding champion jockeys. Prime examples are George Moore and Neville Sellwood who both rode English Derby winners in addition to their stellar Australian careers. Dalby born Garnet Bougoure also left his mark in England with victories in a 1000 Guineas, St. Leger and Epsom Oaks. Graham Cook’s only overseas experience was a successful stint in Singapore where he notched a Gr 1 win. At home in Queensland he compiled a stellar record. We’re delighted to have his company on this week’s podcast, and I’m pleased to say the 82 year old has forgotten nothing. Graham takes us back to the day in 1993 when he realised it was game over.  He rekindles memories of his father Frank, a capable jockey whose career embraced two separate phases. Although only five years old at the time, Graham has vivid memories of Frank Cook’s Doomben Cup win on Forge in 1948. He watched the race from an unlikely vantage point. The former star jockey talks of his father’s premature passing. H

Early in life Lindsay Hatch was totally focused on becoming a jockey and was able to make that happen, albeit for a very short time. Apprenticed to his father Geoff, young Lindsay lasted only 3 years before his weight got out of control but it’s fair to say he left his mark with more than 80 wins, including 30 in Brisbane and a Gold Coast apprentices premiership. He later learned the training craft from some of Australia’s most successful horsemen before settling into a full time solo career at Toowoomba- a career that has so far brought him two Toowoomba premierships. The Lindsay Hatch story makes for a very interesting podcast, and we’re delighted to present it this week. Lindsay begins by singing the praises of his talented mare Wanda Rox who scored a dashing win at EF on Sat July 19th. It was her fourth win at headquarters. Lindsay talks about his dual operation in Queensland with stables at Toowoomba and Townsville. He outlines the reason for the establishment of a northern base. He acknowledges the prof

Racing Victoria has always placed enormous importance on the education and welfare of the state’s junior jockeys. No stone is left unturned in developing the talents of promising young riders, at the same time closely monitoring any potential mental health issues that may arise. The governing body chose carefully a few years ago in selecting Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews to head up their jockey coaching initiative. Alf brought the curtain down on his riding career as far back as 1999 and has spent the ensuing 26 years working in apprentice jockey tuition and mainstream racing media. Adelaide born Alf Matthews has crammed a heck of a lot into his 69 years, and his story makes for an absorbing podcast.  Great to have him on board this week.  Alf begins by talking about the high number of female apprentices coming through the system. He agrees the girls will comprise a high percentage of Australia’s jockey ranks  in the years ahead.  He talks of the benefits of Racing Victoria’s “mechanical horse” in schooling b

Many punters have noted the absence of Luke Currie from the Melbourne riding ranks in recent weeks. The popular jockey has simply taken advantage of the off-season period to attend to a nagging knee issue he’s been dealing with for quite some time.  He’s making great progress and hopes to return to the saddle in just a few weeks. Luke Currie has had a presence among Victoria’s top bracket of riders for close to three decades posting more than 1500 winners with 13 Gr 1’s prominent on his CV. He’s been on our podcast shortlist for a long time and we’ve been able to make it happen during his current layoff. Luke begins by tendering a full report on his troublesome knee. He says the timing of his hiatus wasn’t ideal. He’d been riding winners everywhere. The jockey looks back on his Tasmanian upbringing and an early apprenticeship to his father Ricky. He looks back on a couple of winners in his home state. The system was such that any Tasmanian wins would have had an effect on his Victorian claim. He had to reloca

A remarkable riding career came to an end at Doomben in July 2019 when Jeff Lloyd donned the silks for the final time. Imagine how many sets of colours this man had worn in a career embracing 41 years, 5500 winners, 94 Gr 1’s and countless stakes races. He was 50 years old when he arrived in Brisbane in  2012 but soon demonstrated the skills that had built his image as a world class jockey. Not even a 14 month absence recovering from the effects of a stroke could force his retirement until he was good and ready. The continued success of his sons Zac and Jaden has  triggered several requests for a podcast. We’ve been into the archives and regenerated an interview recorded with Jeff Lloyd almost 6 years ago. Let’s give it another gallop. He began by looking back on cherished memories from his final day at Doomben. The former ace jockey reflects on his English origins. He says there was no actual racing background in his family other than his father’s love of a punt. Jeff recalls watching racing on television at

It’s doubtful that Queensland has ever produced a more versatile racing all rounder than Rockhampton based Tony McMahon who was forced to reduce his workload significantly following a freak stable accident in 2022. After 50 frantically busy years working in multiple roles within the racing industry, the 72 year old walked away from several commitments including his favourite pursuit of horse training. His many supporters were delighted to hear that the veteran will continue in the role of resident race caller for several regional race clubs. This man’s story is ready made for a racing podcast and we’re delighted he agreed to join this one. Tony begins our chat by looking back on the simple accident that would leave him with a badly damaged shoulder. He has three race horses still in work with other trainers. Tony identifies five tracks where he’ll continue to work as resident commentator.        The veteran takes us back to early days when he’d hitch a ride from the Gold Coast to Brisbane most Saturdays to me

Our regular podcast has catered principally for racing fans since its introduction seven years ago. This week we break the mould by presenting an interview with Royce Simmons OAM who reached dizzy heights in his footballing career as both player and coach. From the time of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2022, Royce hasn’t left a stone unturned in keeping himself fit enough to pursue every avenue in raising money for dementia research. His results have been inspiring. The celebrated hooker played in 238 games for Penrith between 1980-1991, ten  for the NSW Blues and another ten in the green and gold of Australia. Every time I run into Royce at a sporting function I’m reminded of the fact that he should be a guest on our podcast. I issued an invitation at a recent Panthers charity luncheon and he graciously accepted.  Royce talks about his current state of health and the success of the “Royce’s Big Walk” initiative which has raised thousands of dollars for dementia research. He talks about his recent hosting role

Donna was at Albury airport waiting to board a Melbourne bound flight when we tracked her down last Friday. She found herself a quiet corner and was happy to join us on the podcast. The experienced horsewoman was literally thrust into the training business when her husband Brett died suddenly in 2008. Before commencing her solo career Donna opted for a year with the huge Darley operation, and has never regretted the decision. Today she trains a 25 horse team from the Albury racecourse precinct, and maintains a very good strike rate. Donna talks about a good recent run of winners with special mention of the promising One Hard Lady. She takes us back to childhood days on the family farm where she was riding ponies from a tender age. Donna talks of her father Graham Hulm who schooled her in the art of horse breaking.  She recalls learning the finer points of thoroughbred management from respected local trainer Ron Stubbs. It was at the Stubbs Albury stable where Donna met her future husband Brett Scott. She talk

Anthony Cavallo’s year long absence from the western districts riding ranks continues to arouse the curiosity of his many friends and TAB followers. A veteran of almost forty years in the saddle, Cavallo sustained multiple injuries in what appeared to be a simple fall at Wellington. Two fractured vertebrae in the upper back required a spinal fusion and the insertion of a metal plate. That plate is to be removed at the end of June, after which the veteran will determine the course of his future. Enquiries have been numerous about a likely return to the saddle for one of country racing’s most respected jockeys. “Choco” joins the podcast with his own version of events. He expresses his gratitude for the many messages of encouragement he’s received. Anthony says he’d love to keep riding but intends to accept the judge’s decision. He looks back on the Wellington fall and says he had absolutely no warning. The jockey summarises an endless list of injuries. He reflects on many race falls but says none of his injurie

The way James McDonald is reeling off Gr 1 wins it seems certain he’ll need only two more full seasons to seriously threaten Damien Oliver’s record of 129 Australian wins at the elite level. Until that happens we can continue to appreciate the distinguished record “Ollie” left behind when he retired from race riding seventeen months ago. Those 129 Gr 1’s were the highlights of a magnificent career tally of 3189. Throw in 14 Scobie Breasley medals, 10 Melbourne jockey’s premierships and an induction into the Racing Australia Hall of Fame at age 36, and you’ve got one hell of a record. Damien’s Melbourne Cup win on Media Puzzle in 2002 came just days after the death of his jockey brother Jason who’d suffered multiple injuries in a Perth barrier trial fall. The story of the tragedy behind Media Puzzle’s win made news around the world and remains a part of Australian racing folklore. A podcast seemed the best way to identify and document the many facets of the fascinating life of one of our best ever jockeys. “Ol

Luke Marlow’s love affair with thoroughbreds can be traced to the days when he had photos of the champion mare Makybe Diva  prominently displayed on his bedroom walls. Around this time his parents were managing the Merlo Downs Stud at Minden about 63 kms west of Brisbane. Luke’s life changed forever a couple of years later when Jeff Marlow took out a trainer’s licence and quickly enlisted his son as principal trackwork rider.  By the time the teenager had ridden a few fast gallops and provided a guest call of a race at Yepoon in 2008, the die was cast. Just three years later the young Queenslander won the fourth edition of a Sky Racing Scholarship and was off and running in the career he’d dreamed about.  Now approaching his 32nd birthday, Luke Marlow is recognised as one of the most versatile performers in the Australian racing media. He joins us on the podcast to reflect on a whirlwind fourteen years since arriving in Sydney. He begins by confirming a very important recent development in his personal life. 

Golf has long been the most popular pastime of professional jockeys. Some have attained a very high level in the sport, others are happy to “puddle” around once or twice a week with a few mates. Highly respected southern districts jockey Richard Bensley has come up with a recreation far removed from conventional sports. Thanks to the influence of his late father Bryson, Richard is a master exponent of the ancient art of carriage driving. He frequently jumps into a sparkling old world buggy drawn by a high stepping Hackney and competes at the highest level. He’s also ridden more than 900 winners in a successful 25 year career mostly on southern district tracks. Richard Bensley is a podcast guest with a difference. He talks firstly about a promising mare he’s been riding just lately for Goulburn trainer Patrick Murphy. He acknowledges the talents of former jockey Pat Murphy. Richard talks about the equine skills of his late father Bryson, his father-in-law Rick Jones and late mother Joanne who was also a noted

Brilliant apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald was shattered recently when a sudden bout of appendicitis interrupted her march towards a possible NSW jockey’s premiership win in just her second season of race riding. The twenty two year old daughter of former successful jockey Malcolm Fitzgerald, had ridden 123 winners in just twenty one months leading up to her recent setback. Only a handful of wins separated Mollie, Aaron Bullock and Jean Van Overmeire at the time of her diagnosis.  Her amazing win rate on northern rivers tracks attracted the attention of the Neasham/Alexander stable who invited her to join the team last October. After five weeks on the sidelines Mollie returned to trackwork duties on Thursday May 1st, and is champing at the bit to resume her premiership chase. She talks about her general malaise leading up to the discovery of appendicitis.  Mollie says she hasn’t given up on catching  Bullock and Van Overmeire but realises she now has a tough task. She talks of the fairy tale start to her riding c

For many decades the NSW Riverina has produced an endless list of outstanding trainers and jockeys. One of the latest recruits to hit the headlines on the big stage is young jockey Tyler Schiller who reeled off a couple of Gr 1 wins during the recent Championships. One man to leave his mark as a jockey and trainer is Dave Heywood who retired in 2020 after six decades in the racing industry. As a jockey he rode exclusively in the Riverina and Victoria. Surprisingly he never once got to ride on a Sydney track but he trained numerous winners in the harbour city. Dave Heywood earned the respect of all sections of the industry during 12 years in the saddle and another 48 years as a trainer. The rising 80 year old is in reminiscent mood as he joins us on the podcast. Dave says he’s blessed with good health. Right off the top he answers the commonly asked question about his relationship if any to ace jockey Nick Heywood. Dave says his primary sporting interests these days revolve around the dart board and the pool r

When Michael Beattie became Deputy Chairman of Stewards for the Hunter And North Western Racing Association in 1985 he wasn’t made welcome by all of his new colleagues. In fact one senior member of staff was clearly unhappy about the appointment of the bloke he called  “the brash young steward from Grafton”. Beattie’s lifelong tendency to call a spade a spade has earned him a reputation as a tough, hard operator- some have branded him a “bully”. Others have testified to his fairness and his insistence on listening to every shred of available evidence  Few have ever left a Beattie inquiry without knowing exactly where they stood. The sixty six year old has swapped stewarding for racing administration on a couple of occasions over more than fifty years in the industry. This is a podcast with a straight shooter who tells his life story with candour, humour and a touch of showmanship. Michael talks about his good fortune in landing back in his beloved hometown of Grafton as CEO of the Clarence River Jockey Club. 

Racing has seen few more distinguished careers than the one enjoyed by Ron Quinton over six rewarding decades. His stellar riding career spanned almost thirty years. His successful training career is now in its thirty second year and counting. Ron’s an inductee of the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame and the recipient of a Medal Of The Order Of Australia, fitting acknowledgements of his contribution to Australian racing.  I’ve conducted interviews with Ron Quinton many times over sixty years and there was a comprehensive podcast in 2018, but several recent email requests for an updated version have got us on the job. It’s a pleasure to revisit the career of an iconic Australian horseman. His passion for the game is unwavering. His recall of horses, horsemen and events will take you on a nostalgic journey. Ron admits he’s a disciplined trainer who never takes his eye off the ball. The seventy seven year old acknowledges the support of long time client Ray Gall who’s rarely without a horse or two in the stable. R