John Tapp Racing

It’s hard to believe Fred Kersley is approaching his 80th birthday. The remarkable horseman is just as passionate today, as he was at any stage of his career. And what a career it’s been. 2,288 winners as a harness trainer in WA, and even more as a driver. Sixteen training premierships, and more as a driver. It took Fred a while to gain his license to train gallopers, but he’s made up for lost time. He’s won 544 races with the thoroughbreds, and has prepared four million dollar plus horses. One of them was the great Northerly, winner of 9 Gr 1 races. In Part 1 Fred talks about the influence of his father and grandfather, and the battle he had to establish his own identity.

If you think Lettsy was at his entertaining best in Part 1, you ain't heard nothin' yet! In Part 2 he really hits top gear, beginning with that fateful day in November 1972, when he realised the dream of every Australian jockey.

John Letts deserves his ranking in the upper echelon of Australia’s jockeys. He won more than 2300 races including two Melbourne Cups, despite a couple of very serious injuries. He garnered even more fame as post race interviewer for Channels 7 and 10, during twenty one Melbourne Cup carnivals. John’s mount each year was a lovable little quarter horse called Banjo, who knew his job backwards. John Letts is a real raconteur, who can tell a racing yarn better than most. We just let him run. That’s the reason this podcast is in two parts.  

As a kid in Tasmania, Denise Martin often went to the races with her dad. The magic of racing was on her mind, throughout the years she spent in the hospitality industry. Some years later she decided to become a racehorse syndicator, and Star Thoroughbreds was born in 1992. Denise has brought much joy to many people, and has been responsible for some outstanding racehorses. She talks about her exciting twenty six years in the business.

We introduce two determined women on this week’s podcast. Firstly it’s Betty Lane, sometimes called the grande dame of Australia’s female horse trainers. Betty got a blunt refusal, the first time she applied for an AJC licence in the early seventies. She went to the bush, gained a license in the western districts, and promptly won three premierships. The next time she fronted the AJC Licensing Committee, they could hardly say no.

For trot fans, we welcome to the podcast Menangle trainer Darren McCall. From a strong harness racing background,Darren has a tremendous passion for the standard bred horse. He was away from Australia for eleven years, working for Noel Croghan in New Jersey, and later training in is own right in Ontario Canada. He talks of the horses and horse people he has known, and pays tribute to his greatest supporter, his wife Karina.

We talk to broadcasting legend Alan Thomas, who quit race calling three years ago after a distinguished career. This bloke was one of the most versatile commentators of his generation. He called many sports with equal flare and passion, but his race calling endeared him to thousands of racing fans. Al’s got a million stories, and tells them in his trademark style.

Great to catch up with champion jockey Brett Prebble, who has decided to come home after fifteen rewarding seasons in Hong Kong. Brett didn’t win a premiership, but finished second to Douglas Whyte six times. The kid from Ballarat started his journey at Stawell, destined to reach the pinnacle of his profession. Fifty Gr 1’s and a Melbourne Cup are testimony to his talents, and he ain’t finished yet!

Pat Webster began his racing life, as an apprentice jockey with trainer Betty Lane at Geurie(NSW). He graduated to Sydney where his riding career took off, but was abruptly halted by a nasty race fall. Pat talks about his six years out of racing, before he decided to become a trainer. Three Group 1 wins with the remarkable Happy Clapper have capped his rewarding career. You’ll get a chuckle out of Pat’s trip down memory lane.

Australian harness racing has never seen a better driver than Gavin Lang. Now nearing 60, the master reinsman has a staggering total of 6,150 winners to his credit. He reflects on his favourite horses and horse people, and the mystery illness that gave him an almighty fright a decade ago.

The Inglis Digital Online Auction has produced some exciting results, since its’ introduction in May 2017. SA trainer Mark Minervini showed great judgement in buying a mare from Kalgoorlie last December. That mare cost $20,000 and has won $120,000. Mark talks about his training career so far, and his hopes for the future.

Melbourne jockey Stephen Baster is nudging up towards 1500 career winners, and has a healthy haul of 14 Gr1 successes. The father of two, is in top form this Spring with a Moonee Valley double on Friday night, and a Geelong Cup win last week. He’s hoping Runaway makes the Cup field, because he loves riding in the iconic race.

Our podcast guest is Alan Bailey, who retired from the training ranks six years ago with 3000 winners under his belt. This is a remarkable figure for  a man who gave up a career as a greenkeeper on the NSW Central Coast, and became a trainer at age 30. Alan has many a racing yarn to tell, and shares them with us on this week’s podcast.

On the trots trail we welcome to the podcast, popular Gavin Fitzpatrick. He’s a talented driver with 1500 winners to prove it. Gav’s a hard worker, who just gets on with the business of winning races for his multiple premiership winning dad, Paul Fitzpatrick.

When Greg Miles called Almandin’s Melbourne Cup in 2016, his name went into the history books. He nudged past the great Bill Collins, to set a new Australian record of 36 Cup calls. A short time later, Greg surprised friends and associates when he announced his retirement. He joins us on the podcast to explain his reasons for retirement, and to talk about the many highs, and one devastating low in his colourful career.

A delight to welcome to the podcast, Rachel King who has burst onto the Sydney racing scene in a big way, since arriving from England only four years ago. For the first year she had to travel to places she’d never heard of, in order to ride a winner. Now she has 200 winners to her credit, a Sydney Apprentices Premiership, and the biggest prize of all, a coveted Group 1.

Brian talks about the fall that ended his career sixteen years ago. He reflects on a career that brought him 2000 winners and 35 Group 1 majors. He rode some of Australia’s best horses including Might And Power. Together they won seven races. Brian brings us up to date with his racing involvement in 2018.

Had Jim Douglass not seen harness racing on TV at home one night, he may not be in the business today. It prompted him to complete work experience in a harness stable, and from that moment on, he was hooked.

Darren Gauci’s farewell race day at Caulfield last year, was one of the most emotional ever seen. Respected by all sections of the industry, Darren won 2500 races, and 35 Gr 1’s. He talks about his career highlights, and the launch of his new book “The Gauch”.

Tim Clark talks about his beginnings in the bush with country trainer Peter Clancy, to a couple of exciting seasons in Hong Kong, to a place among the elite of Sydney jockeys.