John Tapp Racing

Michael Cahill had his first race ride on Red Affro at an obscure race meeting at Gooloogong in 1979. The horse ran second but Michael says he was beaten by pilot error. Since then he’s ridden with great skill to land a stunning total of 2600 winners in 4 jurisdictions. He’s coming up 59, and would love to ride in races until age 60. In our recent interview he talks about the style his late father Ossie helped him to develop during his apprenticeship at Cowra. Michael explains his reason for wearing two sets of goggles when riding in races. He says rides are still plentiful but the good opportunities are not what they used to be. Michael looks back on a simple fall on the Sunny Coast in December 2021 which sidelined him for seven months. Remarkably he rode a winner at Doomben on his first day back. He says he had a good run for nine months before another race fall halted his progress. This time he was back in a month. Michael takes us back to early days at Cowra NSW when he and brother Matthew were apprentice

Twenty months ago Adam Campton was still working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club unsure of his next career move. He made the snap decision to return to Australia and take out a trainer’s  licence. A winner with his very first starter at Warwick set the scene for his immediate future. Since then he’s reeled off more than forty wins and is deadly serious about his future as a trainer. Adam begins by reviewing the short career of Deepour who’s won 5 from 7 since being sourced from the Inglis Digital On Line Sale.  The young trainer talks about his blueblood racing pedigree with special mention of his father Neil, a multiple Gr 1 winning jockey and successful trainer. Adam talks of his relationship with maternal grandfather, the late Les Coles rider of Even Stevens who won the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1962.  He talks of several other notable racing achievers in the immediate family. Adam takes us through the many and varied things he tried before settling on a training career. He talks of a short stint wor

Great to catch up with a man who’s had a more diversified background with horses than most Australian trainers. The former Olympic show jumping gun and respected horse breaker Greg Eurell turned to the training of thoroughbreds thirty years ago. Nine Gr 1 wins including a Cox Plate are testimony to his talents. Greg talks about the bustling Cranbourne training centre and the facilities available to trainers. He talks of his successful training partnership with Jim Mason. Greg talks of the availability of work riders and the time required to get 60 horses worked. He acknowledges he talents of his wife Danielle who rides daily trackwork before heading off to her day job in Melbourne- a very unlikely day job at that. Greg talks about the accessibility of his preferred race meetings. He takes us back to early days in Sydney’s Hills District and his involvement in pony club. The talented horseman is reluctant to talk about his inclusion in the Federation Equestrian team as a teenager. Greg was selected for the Aus

Always nice to catch up with one of the many young hopefuls trying to establish themselves in the training ranks. The hours are long and the disappointments are many. Ballina’s Ethan Ensby has the right mix of determination and talent to make a go of an unforgiving business. Ethan begins by reviewing his recent run of success on northern tracks. He talks of the promising Maximum Vortex who came to town after two brilliant Grafton wins. Ethan says the horse wasn’t mentally equipped to handle the task. The young trainer talks of life in Ballina, and the rapport between local trainers. There’s been a recent arrival from Scone. Ethan says there is no racing in his family background other than his mother’s role as a Racing NSW swab steward. The twenty eight year old talks of his pony club days in Casino and the young local horseman he knew, who was destined to become one of Australia’s elite jockeys. Ethan reflects on his early experience as a trackwork rider and the trainers with whom he was associated. He looks

Great to catch up with a highly qualified lady who couldn’t imagine a life without horses. Despite holding a Bachelor Of Arts and a Degree in Accountancy, Natalie Jarvis opted for a career as a horse trainer. Natalie and husband Luke are currently running a successful training operation at the beautiful South Coast hamlet of Moruya. She talks about Thorotek Racing’s headquarters. Natalie says she likes to keep all horses in an outside environment. She talks about the grass track facilities, beach and river swimming availability and the peaceful bushland riding trails. The trainer acknowledges husband Luke’s role in the operation. She’ll long remember the thrill of producing four winners on Moruya Cup day with 130 stable clients in attendance. Natalie takes us back to childhood days at Terrey Hills where she and sister Stephanie were riding horses from an early age. She talks of her parents who had little interest in horses as their daughters were growing up. Today they’re keen followers of Natalie’s horses. N

The popular north coast jockey knew something was wrong the moment she hit the ground in the early part of a Port Macquarie track gallop in April. She’d been back in the saddle for just three weeks following a lengthy break for the birth of her first baby. Belinda says she’s making good progress seven weeks after the spill. Belinda expresses her appreciation for the skills of her orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cree. She says the horse she was riding in the track gallop was the quietest in the stable. Belinda outlines the cause of the fall, and her decision to remain completely still. The jockey talks of her first few rides back following extended “maternity leave”. Belinda says she’d been riding work for Port Macquarie trainer Paul Shailer for many weeks before taking race rides. She shares the remarkable story of her birth in Kempsey in the early 1990’s. Her arrival caught everyone by surprise. Belinda talks of her early life in Perth and a move back to Kempsey in 2002. When she made the decision to become a

Great to catch up with an ever enthusiastic Todd Smart who’s based at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park with his fifteen horse team. A welder by trade, Todd graduated from bull riding to thoroughbreds when he sustained a serious shoulder injury. He’s sure it was meant to happen. He talks of early mornings in the bleak Canberra winters. Todd says he began his training career at Wagga but was talked into a move to Canberra by a fellow trainer. He talks of his early life in Gundagai and early education on his favourite pony. Todd pays tribute to the local trainer who taught him the basics of horse management.  He remembers his reluctance to join the family butchering business, and the completion of his welding apprenticeship. Todd looks back on an unlikely connection with bull riding and his relocation to Canada in quest of big prize money. He doesn’t remember a lot about his major accident. The trainer talks of his return home for surgery, and a subsequent trip to London with a group of mates. This is where he deplo

In a way it’s a pity this podcast was recorded ten days before Crafty Eagle’s brilliant win in Saturday’s Midway. I’m sure syndicator Steve Vardy would have been very excited by the dominance of the win. Steve worked for some years as a plumber and car detailer before biting the bullet and acquiring his syndicator’s licence as recently as 2020. Steve begins by revisiting the magical morning at Warwick Farm trackwork when he fell in love with thoroughbreds. He talks about his years in the trades, and the nagging desire to do something in the racing industry. Steve recalls his very first venture into horse ownership- a small share in a horse called King Lear who was destined to win seven races. His admiration for King Lear led him to the purchase of a half brother. He syndicated the youngster among friends and associates and had the thrill of seeing him win at Port Macquarie for trainer Kristen Buchanan. He talks of another Port Macquarie win provided by Kristen, who’s one of Vardy Thoroughbreds’ regular traine

Craig Rixon was one of those jockeys who flew under the radar for most of his twenty year career. He concentrated largely on provincial and country tracks, but lacked nothing against the top riders whenever he came to town. He quit the saddle in 2006 and immediately joined the ranks of jockey agents. He took to his new career with ease. Craig talks about some of the jockeys he’s managed in recent years.  He makes special mention of talented apprentice Anna Roper who was making headlines before she suffered a complicated knee injury last November. Craig speaks highly of Donovan Yeo, a former South African jockey who’s getting close to making his Australian debut.  He says he was very small when he began his apprenticeship with Kevin Wallis at Hawkesbury. Craig had more than the required number of barrier trial rides before applying for his ticket to ride in races. He was shattered when he got a refusal at the first attempt. He looks back on his first race ride at Newcastle. Craig talks of the ten year old boy

Tracey is still punishing himself over a momentary lapse of concentration which could have cost him his life. The former jockey and multiple Gr 1 winning trainer committed the sin many horse people are guilty of when trying to cut corners. He got in the way of a cranky mare whose double barrelled kick missed another horse and connected with him. Eight weeks and five operations later Tracey is relieved to be back at work and making a good recovery. He’s the first to admit the accident shouldn’t have happened. Tracey says he learned what pain was all about in his riding days, and when he suffered a serious medical issue in 2006. He says the pain resulting from his recent accident was the worst he’s ever experienced. He shudders to think of the likely outcome had his wife not come to the rescue.  Tracey looks back on his tiny stature when he first became  apprenticed to the late Frank Penfold. He says he weighed 36 kgs when he rode his first winner. He says he wasn’t the first jockey in the family. Tracey pays a

Great to catch up with a lady who’s more than making up for her late start in racing. Connie dabbled with show horses during the decade in which she worked as Bakery Manager at Woolworths Emu Plains. She later gained a job with a Hawkesbury thoroughbred trainer and her life changed dramatically. Connie talks about her frantically busy lifestyle at Dubbo. She explains that she and business partner Michelle Jones own most of the horses in the stable. The trainer says she rides many of her horses in trackwork but is ably assisted by jockey Ken Dunbar. Connie talks of her commitment to keeping her horses outdoors. She talks of recent wins at professional race meetings in the west. Connie explains her move to the picnic circuit and comes up with some interesting statistics. She acknowledges the welcome increase in amateur prize money in recent years. She talks of the one anomaly confronting picnic racing- a worrying shortage of jockeys. Connie acknowledges the successful partnership she’s formed with Brazilian bor

This is an interesting chat with a 43 year old from Foxton on New Zealand’s north island who’s been around thoroughbreds all his life. He started life as an apprentice jockey under the tutelage of Kevin Gray, a man who could be likened to the late Theo Green as a master tutor of apprentices. Paul begins by talking about his good fortune in securing boxes at Port Macquarie racecourse where his solo training career began eighteen months ago. He talks of his current team and the availability of beach facilities at the popular north coast location. Paul says nowhere is too far to travel if the right horse comes along. The former jockey is counting the minutes to the arrival of the twin sons he and partner Michelle are expecting.  He looks back on the barrier trial he contested as a thirteen year old in NZ. Paul has always thanked his lucky stars that he gained a start with the legendary horseman Kevin Gray. he remembers Gray’s private training property at Patea near Waverley in the Taranaki district. He talks of

This is a breezy chat with a little lady who has endeared herself to many in just six years as a professional jockey. She’s based at Port Macquarie and is a regular at most meetings in the region, but just lately Cejay has been sneaking to Brisbane where she’s come under the notice of trainers like Tony Gollan. Cejay talks of life as the daughter of respected jockey Peter Graham, and her late decision to become a jockey. She begins by talking about a freak accident at a recent Doomben meeting. She talks about her home base at Port Macquarie and the property she shares with partner, jockey Kirk Matheson. The apprentice says she was in no hurry to become a jockey but suddenly the spark ignited. Cejay explains the origins of her christian name. She talks of her apprenticeship to respected local trainer John Sprague and her good fortune in being coached by her father Peter, rider of more than 2300 winners. Cejay delights in heaping praise on Peter Graham, the horseman and the dad. She looks back on her first race

When we wound up our podcast with Stan Aitken last September he suggested we should consider talking to his great mate and former fellow Melbourne jockey Paul Jarman. Stan supplied the phone number and we made contact with Paul who was a little shy about doing the interview. We talked him into it, and I hope he enjoyed it half as much as I did. Paul Jarman more than held his own among an elite group of jockeys and won some very famous races along the way. Paul talks about his decision to quit the saddle at just 39 years of age.   Always a bloke who tended to make things happen, Paul enrolled for a building and construction course at TAFE. He looks back on the beginning of his new career. Paul says the Gold Coast was the place to be for any aspiring builder in the late 1980’s. His judgement proved correct. During his busy twelve years in the building trade he found the perfect diversion in fishing and crabbing. He talks about his passion for both pursuits. The former top jockey talks about yet another offbeat

Lee Curtis has been training racehorses in Sydney since the mid 90’s when he was based at Canterbury. He was forced to relocate to Rosehill at the end of the decade when the STC decided to develop the precinct as a quarantine station for overseas horses. Cherie joined his staff twenty years ago from Berry on the South Coast. The couple married in 2015 and became training partners in 2020. We begin the podcast with Lee who explains that he has no intention of increasing the stable numbers. Lee talks about the family training partnership. He says he and Cherie might disagree from time to time but invariably reach the best conclusion. He talks of his continued insistence on relocating horses who are not paying their way. Lee acknowledges the effectiveness of the Inglis Digital twice monthly auction. The Gr 1 winning trainer talks of Dalchini and Achira, two talented mares he’s currently training. He expresses thanks to the two trainers who taught him the basics of horse management. Lee remembers his first traini

In looking for a horseman who has a close connection with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes we plucked from the archives,  a podcast with Craig Carmody. The former successful jockey is now training a small team at Randwick, hoping another Intergaze will walk into his stables. Craig rode the talented chestnut in his two Queen Elizabeth Stakes wins in the late 90’s. Craig reflects on his decision to retire after returning from Singapore in 2005. He looks back on his transition into the training ranks. Craig speaks of the plight of the smaller trainers who don’t have access to the spending power of wealthy owners. The former multiple Gr 1 winning jockey talks of a few special horses who got him on his way as a trainer. He acknowledges the talents of Sydney’s female jockeys He talks about his final riding contract in Singapore which brought him in touch with his future wife. Craig looks back on his starring role in a Telecom TV commercial. He was one of several young Sydney jockeys who auditioned for the part. His scree

It would have been a massive shock to his family had Cody Morgan not pursued a career with horses. With a mum and dad who were wizards in the saddle and a brother who could ride a rampaging rhinoceros, it was unlikely Cody would ever become a ballet instructor. We talk to the young Tamworth horseman about his start as a bronc rider, the transition to professional race riding and finally to the training ranks. Cody begins by talking of Talbragar who shapes up as one of the top chances in the Country Championship Final. He talks of his on course location at Tamworth and his reluctance to leave there. Cody looks back on his very first phone call from Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell. He could have wrecked the partnership there and then. He talks of his favourites among the Australian Bloodstock horses. One of the horses featured in a memorable Rosehill double. The thirty two year old says his aspiration to become a jockey was triggered by his first ride on a mechanical horse. He looks back on the thrilling e

Luke Pepper joins the ranks of smaller trainers who only need the right horse to showcase their talents. Until Opal Ridge came along Luke had been achieving consistent results with average horses. Suddenly he’s in the big league with last start stakes winner Opal Ridge, who’ll contest the Gr 3 P.J Bell Stakes on Saturday. We go right back to Luke’s early days in pony club and the wide experience he gained before taking out his own trainer’s licence. Luke begins by talking about his reasons for relocating from Canberra to Scone in the middle of last year. He has high praise for the facilities offered by the Scone Race Club and speaks of the multi million dollar stabling complex already under construction. Luke talks of Opal Ridge’s purchase from the Inglis Classic Sale at a bargain basement price. He talks of the amazing attitude displayed by the young filly as far back as the breaking in stage. Luke talks of her amazing growth spurt and the ease of her first win. He wasn’t quite as buoyant the morning after h

The fate of retired racehorses has never been under more scrutiny, and Jo McKinnon couldn’t be happier. The respected media contributor recently launched her own website designed to monitor the post competitive lives of thoroughbreds and performance horses. Jo joins us to talk about the creation of “offthetrackhorses.com.au” and to look back on her own exciting life in media and in the racing industry. She talks of the origins of her independent on-line platform. Jo outlines her ideas for regular content on the site. She acknowledges the support of some special behind-the-scenes people. The talented media veteran takes us back to her very first job with the Herald and Weekly Times and the thrilling scholarship win that got her there. Jo talks of her duties with the major Melbourne newspaper. She looks back on her exciting transition into television as a sports reporter with Network Ten in Melbourne. She was on her way. Horse loving Jo was thrilled to join the team being assembled for Sky’s history making home

Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Gary Kliese recently suggested I organise a chat with Grafton based jockey Matt McGuren.  Gary was full of praise for McGuren’s talents and assured me that the jockey’s life story was great podcast material. Matt was more than happy to participate even though he was feeling pretty frustrated by the outcome of what appeared to be an insignificant accident a few days earlier. He looks back on his barrier trial mishap at Ballina. He says he decided to ride at the Grafton meeting the following day even though he suspected a fracture in the ankle. A winning ride helped ease the pain. Matt talks of his prognosis, and his inability to ride trackwork for his wife Samantha who trains a thirteen horse team at Grafton. He talks of Samantha’s accident with a camp drafter three months ago and her resultant surgery. The thirty two year old explains how he and Samantha manage to handle a team of racehorses every morning and cater for the needs of two young daughters. They’ve got it down to a fine