John Tapp Racing

Great to catch up with 78 year old Leon Fox now in retirement in his hometown of Inverell. Leon trained horses for 20 years following a stellar riding career which saw him dubbed the “George Moore of the bush”. Leon begins by paying tribute to his father Les Fox to whom he was apprenticed. He talks of his ordinary effort on the occasion of his first race ride, and the thrill of his first win in a little border town called Texas. He talks of a very successful apprenticeship and the approaches he got from Sydney trainers who were keen to use his allowance. Leon was overawed to rub shoulders with legends like Ted McMenamin, Darby Munro and Jim Pike. The former ace jockey reflects on the day he shared in a precious piece of racing history. Two wins on the same day on the same horse at a Warwick Farm Saturday meeting. Leon remembers the contract he was offered when Hong Kong racing went professional in the early 70’s. He stayed for 8 years.   He has some wonderful tales to tell about his Hong Kong experienc

It’s great to catch up with Tommy Berry who’s currently in second place on both the NSW and metropolitan jockeys premierships. Tom talks about the fierce competition in the Sydney riding ranks. He outlines his very busy trackwork format. Tom talks about his apprenticeship to his father and chief tutor Kevin Berry.  The champion young jockey looks back on a frightening accident which could have turned him off horses forever. He looks back on his inauspicious debut at Hawkesbury, and an exciting maiden win at Newcastle on a mare trained by his father. Tommy reflects on his Magic Millions win on Karuta Queen and the unforgettable thrill of his first Gr 1. He looks back on a thrilling Gr 1 double at Randwick in 2012. The two races were only 45 minutes apart. The twenty nine year old pays tribute to the filly who gave him the first of his two Golden Slipper wins. He wasn’t even sure he’d retain the Slipper ride at one stage. He reminisces about his first Gr 1 for the Waller stable and the injury sustained

It’s now twelve years since Norm Lang put away the harness and hopples for the last time. The game of bowls now commands his full attention. The eighty five year old has vivid memories of his exciting journey with Steel Jaw- the $5000 horse he took from a maiden pace to a NZ Cup in a very short time. He covers the whole Steel Jaw story, and for trots fans it’s riveting listening. Norm takes us back to his days as an Ampol agent at Mittagong, and his introduction to trotting by local trainer George Walton. He remembers his first winning drive at Canowindra and the near accident before he even left the parade yard. The veteran horseman recalls his purchase of a broodmare and the success he had with her two foals. Norm pays tribute to a select group of horses who took him to a prominent spot on the Harold Park trainer’s ladder. He talks about the reputation he enjoyed of being able to keep horses up for long periods of time. Norm quit race driving in the 1991/92 season but continued to train for another 1

Great to catch up with the man who co-founded OTI Racing and Bloodstock in 1999 with high profile sportsman and TV personality Simon O’Donnell. He talks of his early life in Melbourne and the pacer who triggered his fascination with horses. Terry looks back on the creation of his company Pacers Australia which syndicated two horses destined for greatness. The duo won three Miracle Miles and many Gr 1 races between them. Terry talks of his good fortune in being invited to join the ownership syndicate which raced the wonderful galloper Doriemus- winner of 3.5 million dollars.  He takes us back to his time at night school and his own company Henderson Consultants which he later sold to French interests. Terry talks of the origins of the famous OTI colours. The devoted horse lover profiles many of the good horses to carry the OTI colours in recent years. Terry talks of company policy regarding horses purchased overseas. He acknowledges the many trainers employed by OTI in Australia and overseas. Terry pay

Pat says this may well be his final interview. I doubt that strongly, but either way it’s a tribute to a man who endeared himself to the Sydney racing world for almost 6 decades. He reviews an emotional day at Newcastle on Dec 5th when he saddled his final runner. He talks of the heartfelt tribute paid to him by the ATC at a Randwick meeting the following week. Pat talks about his long time role as a drugs and alcohol consultant for Racing NSW- a role he hopes to continue for a long time to come. The experienced horseman reflects on his initial indentureship to Betty Lane in the tiny township of Geurie, and his time with astute trainer Bernie Byrnes at Randwick. Pat remembers the horses who contributed to his successful apprenticeship with special mention of a grand little horse called Medieval Maestro. He recalls the horror fall at Rosehill which left him with a long list of injuries, and virtually ended his riding career. Pat looks back on six years away from racing when he gained a rigger’s certifica

Great to catch up with one of Australia’s ever increasing number of female jockeys. The lady with a name that catches the eye, is 37 years old and could be the nation’s oldest apprentice. Kath Bell-Pitomac talks about the gruelling travelling she undertakes to ride at meetings all over the state. Kath reminisces about her nomadic childhood. She talks of early days in South Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. Horses were always her chief interest. She recalls her first introduction to racehorses at Pioneer Park racetrack Alice Springs. Kath recalls her first job as a professional trackwork rider. She talks of a move to Newcastle and the trainer who signed her to an apprenticeship.  The mature age apprentice remembers her early winners and the beginning of her relationship with the fellow jockey who would become her husband. Kath looks back on her break away from racing. She lost the desire completely and didn’t ride a racehorse for ten years.   She talks of her return to trackwork at Welli

An overdue chat with one of Australia’s best known trainers. Clarry discloses his reasons for selling Victory Lodge- the landmark stables from which he produced a stunning 39 Gr 1 winners. He admits it was quite a wrench when the reality sunk in. He talks of his relocation with fifteen horses to the nearby stables of his son Marc. He hints at the possibility of an official partnership down the track. Clarry takes us on a trip down memory lane to the days when he and his father Clarry Senior were sleeping on battered bunks in a stable at Cessnock. To this day the trainer sees the funny side of the story. He talks of the influence of the father who lived to the grand age of 98. Clarry says he was a wonderful mentor. Clarry remembers his very first winner and the two year old colt who gave him his first taste of Gr 1 glory. He pays a fitting tribute to the filly who funded the construction of his new home in Hope St Warwick Farm. He admits his previous house was falling apart. Research was among the best o

This is a laid back chat with one of the real characters of NSW country racing. Rod begins by outlining his reasons for handing over his Nyngan training operation to son Brett at the end of the 2019/2020 season. He explains why he’s currently in Dubbo looking after a big team of horses for fellow trainer Clint Lundholm. Rodney takes us on a sentimental journey beginning with his family’s move from Forbes to Nyngan when he was just fourteen months old. You won’t believe their mode of transport in 1955. He reflects on the time he spent with father Clive in the droving days. Together they would move large flocks of sheep or mobs of cattle long distances in dry times. Rod looks back on his first job with NSW Railways. He remembers his duties and the great camaraderie that existed between mates. His involvement with thoroughbreds began when he was asked to ride trackwork by local trainers. He says the pay was light. Rodney remembers his first horse float and his first horse- a real cheapie! He says he’s had

Great to catch up with one of Australia’s most popular race callers. Danny made his mark as a gallops caller early in his career, but decided to accept an offer from HRV in 1996. Trotting is the richer for that decision. He begins by explaining the origins of his surname. Danny recalls the heady days of his childhood when he would go to the track with his father Richard. He was greatly influenced by the sound of the race call.   He tells the story of the freak opportunity that landed in his lap at age eight, and the wonderful journey that was to follow. It sounds like fiction but it’s true! Danny remembers the day he called a budding superstar at the Berrigan races and the endless practice hours that followed in Melbourne as he honed his craft. The popular broadcaster looks back on the priceless opportunity he received with Network Ten and the media legend with whom he shared race calling duties. Danny reflects on some of his 13 Melbourne Cup calls for the network, and the tempting offer from Harness Ra

Shane begins by talking about his return to NZ when Covid took hold in Asia. He pays tribute to his mother Dawn who has him at home again after many years. The former champion jockey reflects on four Hong Kong race falls the last of which could easily have claimed his life. He talks of his current role as professional punter on Hong Kong racing. Shane talks of his father and grandfather who were both jockeys, and his indentureship to champion trainer Dave O’Sullivan. He looks back on the very first of his 2000 winners and his maiden trip to Melbourne. It had quite an impact on him. Shane remembers the offer from trainer Brian Smith that brought him to Sydney. He comments on his early reputation as a poacher of rides from fellow jockeys. He talks of his unusual attitude to trackwork. He was very different to many other jockeys. Shane reviews his association with a lengthy list of notable horses with special emphasis on a handful of champions. He looks back on his controversial ride on Veandercross in t

How lovely it is to catch up with a bloke I called on hundreds of winners during his golden years in the saddle. Kevin Langby spent six full seasons as stable rider for T.J.Smith, during which time he bagged four Sydney premierships. Kev takes us back to his childhood days in Orange and to his initial apprenticeship to Max Wardle. He later transferred to leading central western trainer Dick Cornish. He looks back on his father’s insistence that he should transfer to a Sydney trainer. He says he was lucky to find a spot with astute horseman Fred Hood. Kevin remembers the early winners and the first top class horse he got to ride. The former champion jockey reflects on his time as stable jockey to Arthur Ward and the retainer he was offered by Sir Frank Packer. Kevin says his association with Tommy Smith just evolved. Not once did the legendary trainer verbally confirm the partnership. He talks of Smith’s attitude to his jockeys and his acceptance of defeat.  The seventy four year old looks back on the t

Great to catch up with John Scorse who is now a familiar member of the Sky team as he covers meetings on twelve tracks in the South East and Southern Districts. He talks of his relationship with the local jockeys and trainers. John explains that the sad passing of race caller and form analyst Tony Campbell led him to his long time role. He acknowledges the contribution of his co presenter Chynna Marston, a former jockey and devoted horse lover. John takes us back to childhood days and the inspiration he received from older brother Alan “Groovy” Scorse who was one of Sydney’s best apprentices. He pays tribute to Alan’s achievements as a jockey and trainer. He looks back on his initial apprenticeship to Jack Denham when he was one of an army of junior riders. John reflects on his multifaceted indentureship. Denham was one of five trainers with whom young “Scorsy” spent time. He remembers his first win and his initial city success. John talks of his big decision to go all the way to Perth for a stable ret

Great to catch up with one of Victoria’s best liked horsemen. Robbie begins by revealing that he’s just getting over some long overdue shoulder surgery. He recalls having met South African training wizard Mike De Kock at a Melbourne horse sale. He says he was surprised when Mike asked him to show his son Matthew around the state of the art Cranbourne training centre. Robbie explains his reasons for creating the first training partnership between an Aussie and a South African. The talented horseman speaks openly about the health scare he endured last year when it was discovered he had a dangerous brain aneurysm. Robbie pays tribute to his brother Rodney a former champion Melbourne jockey. He looks back on his apprenticeship to Bob Scarlett and the thrill of his first win. He rode two more winners over the next two days. Rob also remembers his first outright city winner. The trainer reminisces about his early days at the defunct Epsom training precinct, and pays tribute to two of its legendary trainers.

A lovely chat with a young lady who has endeared herself to participants in the ACT and the Southern Districts of NSW. Everybody loves Kayla it seems! She talks about the punishing miles country jockeys are obliged to travel. Kayla talks about her “all girl” family and the influence of her father John, a former successful jockey and currently training in partnership with Ron Weston.  She looks back on early career highlights including that elusive first winner. Kayla still pinches herself when she looks back on the Wagga winner she rode for David Hayes- the winner that springboarded her into a job as provincial apprentice for the champion trainer at his Euroa base. She looks back on the opportunities she was given during her one year stay in Victoria, and the low point she struck after two trackwork accidents. Kayla speaks off her 5 months break from racing and another accident just weeks after returning to race riding. Later lady luck again turned her back when Kayla collapsed in a shopping centre. Th

Great to catch up with a man who has been part of the fabric of SA racing for more than four decades. He talks of his passion for race riding at age 59. David talks about the dual jockey/trainer licence which enables him to train a small team at Morphettville. He reflects on a recent Gawler win on a horse trained by his son David Jnr. Some said it would have been the perfect time to quit the saddle. David talks of his apprenticeship in 1976 to the emerging legend Bart Cummings. He looks back on his first winning ride just 24 hours after gaining his “ticket”. The evergreen jockey remembers his transfer from Cummings to the Colin Hayes training empire at Angaston, and the discouraging advice given to him by Peter Hayes. He reminisces about his two coveted Gr 1 wins- two editions of the South Australian Oaks. “Toot” takes us back to his one and only Melbourne Cup ride. He reflects on his role as stable jockey for an up and coming young trainer called John Hawkes. David looks back on his association with

A nasty fall in the 2005 Doomben Roses brought down the curtain on the stellar career of Michael Pelling who won over 900 races and 4 Brisbane premierships. Eager to find a new project Mike developed a gold driving range at Carseldine. Mike talks of the sale of the driving range and his move to a new challenge- a wedding reception centre and resort at Maleny on the Sunshine Coast. The former champion jockey looks back on a Supreme Court case in 1998 in which another jockey sought damages for injuries sustained in an accident 14 years earlier. He lost the case and was left with a huge bill. Mike recalls the Eagle Farm fall which left him with a ruptured disc. He overcame sciatic nerve pain to get back into the saddle less than a year later. He talks of the constant back pain and his staple diet of anti inflammatories from that point on. Mike takes us back to childhood days on the Atherton Tablelands, and recalls the work ethic of his remarkable parents. He looks back on the fun days of riding ponies on t

We spoke to Brett only a week after he’d learned that his brilliant Kosciuszko winner It’s Me had sustained an injury during the race. He handled it philosophically. Brett reveals he jumped at the opportunity to take over the Scone training complex previously occupied by Greg Bennett. He takes us back to his childhood in the Queensland outback town of Augathella when he lived with his maternal grandfather- a wily veteran of a tough era. The lessons he learned remain with Brett to this day. Brett recalls his boyhood friendship with Peter Moody. He looks back on his first trip to Sydney where his stepfather was a well respected horse breaker. He looks back on the stable rounds he made with a prominent veterinary surgeon. The trainer takes us back to his complete change of lifestyle when he became a shearer in WA. His adventures took him to remote Karratha where he met a very special person.   Brett looks back on his very first training base at the border town of Tocumwal, and a subsequent move to Albury

A long overdue chat with a hard working jockey who would have competed at the highest metropolitan level had he so desired, but Greg Ryan preferred life in the bush. He talks about his early life in Wellington NSW and his days as a motor mechanic. Greg talks of his introduction to thoroughbreds at the Macquarie Stud and the conversation with another jockey who encouraged him to consider a riding career. He talks of his first apprenticeship in Wellington and the battle he had to lose 10kgs before he could get started as a race rider. Greg recalls his very first winner in 1991. It was really only half a win as he dead heated with a horse ridden by another legendary country jockey. He reveals that he had to go way out west to get started. The veteran jockey pays tribute to some wonderful country riders who became role models. He looks back on a brief stint in Sydney in 1998. He rode winners for some top stables but couldn’t adapt to city living. He acknowledges the support he got from legendary bush traine

Great to head bush this week for an interview with Wagga based Tim Donnelly. He begins with a summary of his winning treble at a recent Wagga meeting- his only runners on the day. The astute trainer highlights some of his best horses since returning to Wagga sixteen years ago. Tim acknowledges some of the jockeys who’ve contributed to his success in recent years. He takes us back to his very first job in a racing stable. He started at the top when he landed a job with Tommy Smith who was on the crest of a wave in the Kingston Town era. Tim looks back on his close association with the champion. Tim talks of the owner who got him on his way as a trainer. He fondly remembers his early days training at Canterbury. He pays tribute to Volcanic Prince, the horse who launched his training career. Tim also reflects on the beginning of his great partnership with jockey Mark De Montfort. The trainer pays tribute to the special horses who’ve helped shape his career with special emphasis on the brilliant Quick Flick

A special podcast with veteran harness horseman Dennis Wilson who’s about to celebrate his 70th birthday. Dennis talks about the knee and hip replacement that put him back on his feet. He explains that he’s not out of the woods yet. He remembers his decision to quit race driving in 2006 when he became disillusioned with the sport. Dennis fondly recalls the glory days at Harold Park. He talks about the handful of drives he had when the action moved from Harold Park to Menangle. Dennis remembers his earliest days working horses at Granville Showground and his apprenticeship to Katoomba trainer Stan Bond. He recalls the thrill of his first winning drive at Maitland in the late 1960’s. Dennis reviews the achievements of the special horses he got to train and drive during his rewarding career. He makes special mention of Soky’s Gidget- a horse that could have been the best he ever trained until injury ended his career. Dennis looks back on the controversial photo finish that went against him in the 2000 M