John Tapp Racing

This is the first interview I’ve ever conducted with Dwayne Dunn. I’ve been a fan throughout his thirty year career, but our paths have never crossed. Any racing fan would know of his many achievements in the saddle, and the esteem in which he’s held by major stables. I’ve also discovered during the course of arranging this podcast, that Dwayne is a complete professional. Great to catch up with him.

In part two of the podcast Michael Cahill remembers Falvelon as the fastest horse he ever rode. He talks of his time in Hong Kong and Macau. The latter contract took him to a jockeys title, and a Derby win. He recalls some of the talented horses he’s ridden, his premiership battles in Brisbane, and the inevitable injuries. He pays tribute to his brother Matthew, who stayed at Cowra, destined to become a champion jockey in the NSW Central west. Michael talks about his likely future.

It’s great to catch up with a jockey who’s been the ultimate professional for four decades. Michael Cahill was born into a great racing family at Cowra(NSW). He was probably resigned to the career of a bush jockey in his early days, but decided on a change of direction twenty two years ago. An offer from Bruce McLachlan initially took him to Queensland, and he’s been among Brisbane’s top jockeys ever since. In part 1 of the podcast Michael talks of his strong family background in racing, and his first taste of the big smoke. He recalls his time working at Mike Willesee’s Trandmedia Stud, and a stint as stable jockey for top Riverina trainer Richard Freyer.

Great to catch up with a young lady who is rapidly establishing herself in the Sydney training ranks. Kristen Buchanan lived in WA as a youngster, and attained Uni Degrees in Biology and Exercise Physiology. Those qualifications would have given her any number of job choices,  but training racehorses was all she wanted to do. It’s been a tough ten years for Kristen, but determination and talent have taken her a long way.

When the website began in May of last year, Rodney Quinn was one of my very early podcast guests. He’d been retired for five years, and was well entrenched in his new role as tutor of apprentices with Racing NSW. What a magnificent career he had. Forty years in the saddle, and success at the highest level, but most importantly the profound respect of all sections of the industry. If you missed this very early podcast, I’m delighted to give it another run. Here comes Rodney Quinn Take 2.

Bob reminisces about horses like Danewin, Slight Chance and Shogun Lodge who won many Group 1 races. He talks of the jockeys who helped him along the way, and the apprentices he tutored .

Bob Thomsen taught himself the basics of horsemanship at a riding school, before becoming apprenticed to Tommy Smith in 1957. He rode 40 winners, most of them on metropolitan tracks before a disagreement with TJ  changed his life. Bob took out his own trainer’s licence, and after a modest start went on to reach the pinnacle of the profession. He talks frankly about those early days.

In keeping with our plan to introduce country based trainers from time to time, we introduce the lady known as the “Baroness Of Bombala”. Barbara Joseph started with a $600 horse at Bombala 40 years ago. Her journey has taken her to a Group 1 Doncaster at Royal Randwick, and 1200 other winners along the way. Barb talks about her new training partnership with her sons Paul and Matthew.

This week we welcome another member of the famous Fitzpatrick clan-a  dominant force on the Sydney harness racing scene for decades.  Thirty five year old Blake Fitzpatrick won a Harold Park premiership at 18, and has driven more than a hundred winners in a season 8 times on NSW tracks. Blake reviews a great career.

I’ve known few more passionate racing men than Louis Mihalyka, who founded Laurel Oak Thoroughbreds 32 years ago. Like most syndicators he would buy yearlings, and then advertise heavily in the search for new owners. Fourteen years ago he changed direction and renamed the company Laurel Oak Bloodstock. He realised he should service existing clients exclusively, and give them whatever they wanted- yearlings, stallions, broodmares and various other racing involvements. Louis handles every request, and nobody does it better. It’s a treat to listen to a man who just lives racing.

Jodi Quinlan was pretty sore and sorry when we recorded this podcast, but you’d never pick it. Only a week earlier she had a confrontation with an ill tempered maiden trotter in the Melton float parking area, and came off second best. We’re talking about a tough little lady who’s had several race falls in a twenty eight year career, but none of them hurt as much as this one did. Jodi talks about the accident, and the career that has brought her 2300 wins in the sulky.

Had Glen Colless decided to remain in his native Coffs Harbour, he would have carved out a stellar career riding around the northern rivers. As soon as his apprenticeship finished with the Trevor Hardy stable, he decided to pull up stakes and head for the Gold Coast- a decision he has never regretted. He forged a spectacular association with trainer Alan Bailey, and got to ride many talented horses. Glen has more than 1000 wins behind him, and multiple Gr 1 success. He’s had to overcome the rigours of a couple of freak accidents, but is keener than ever. Great to catch up with one of Queensland’s best.

I’m planning to talk to several country based trainers during 2019. The emergence of the TAB Highway races in Sydney, has brought many new training faces into the spotlight. This week we talk to Tamworth’s Sue Grills, who was NSW country trainer of the year in the 2014/15 season. Sue brings an occasional horse to the “big smoke”, and is rarely far away. She tried her hand as a jockey, at a time when nobody wanted female riders. Lack of opportunity finally led her to the training ranks, and she has greeted the judge close to 700 times. Sue begins with her strong family background in racing.

In Part 2 Ron takes us through the tough transition to the ranks of Sydney trainers. He talks about the best horses he’s prepared, his role as a tutor of young jockeys, and his riding stints in Ireland. Ron Quinton OAM is a welcome guest on the Xmas podcast.

In Part 1 Ron talks about his childhood on the family farm at Mendooran, and his early introduction to horses.He recalls happy times during his apprenticeship to Theo Green, master tutor of jockeys. Ron pays tribute to the wonderful horses who contributed to his dominant years in Sydney racing. He got to ride some of the best of the era.

Delighted to welcome Blake Shinn to the podcast. One of Australia’s riding elite, Blake has been out since August recovering from spinal injuries sustained in a Randwick barrier trial. He talks about the highs and lows of his spectacular career, and his favourite horses and horse people.

I had many a conversation with Richard Freedman at Sky Channel, and not once did he hint that he might train horses again. Two years ago the bug bit him when he pre trained a few for brother Michael at Hawkesbury. Now, Richard and son Will have thirty horses in work at Rosehill. He talks about early days on Hardwicke Stud, the beginning of “the brotherhood” in Melbourne, and the wonderful horses to pass through their hands. He’s good listening is old Richard.

This week’s guest is former talented jockey Larry Olsen who tells the story of his nightmare struggle with weight. In this podcast he recalls his apprenticeship with Mal Barnes, and the horses that kick started his career. He talks of the tortures of the sweat box, and how he eventually had to walk away from racing to save his sanity. Larry also reflects on three years out of the game, and his decision to attempt a comeback. And what a comeback! A Melbourne Cup and a Golden Slipper and the ability to ride light for the first time in his life.

Punters were completely puzzled when the name J. Van Overmeire started to appear in Sydney race fields, just over two years ago. They quickly learned that the young jockey was apprenticed to Bjorn Baker, and they quickly learned that he could ride a bit. One hundred and fifty two winners later, Jean is accepted by both punters and trainers alike. His journey through several countries makes a fascinating story, and Jean is happy to share it with us on the podcast.

In Part 2 Fred Kersley talks about the struggle he had to gain his thoroughbred trainer’s licence. It’s a treat to hear the maestro reminisce about the champion Northerly, who catapulted him to the upper echelon of galloping trainers.