John Tapp Racing

This is a podcast for older racing enthusiasts and for younger fans who are simply curious about the deeds of previous generations. I’ve always been aware that a man called Lou Robertson was one helluva horse trainer, but I really didn’t know why history has treated him so kindly. Lou’s grandson David Robertson knows the story better than anyone and is happy to share it with us. David explains his position in the family lineage. He talks about his upcoming book on the legend of Lou Robertson, and explains the meaning of its unusual title. He reflects on the illness which would claim Lou Robertson’s life in 1955, and the remarkable compliment paid to the legendary trainer by the Victoria Racing Club. David looks back on his grandfather’s early life in NZ and an involvement with harness horses which would eventually bring him great acclaim. He talks of Lou’s relocation to Victoria in the early 1900’s with a team of trotters and pacers. The Kiwi horseman quickly made his mark as a trainer and driver. David h

Maddie Raymond has been training in her own right for just two years but has already given notice that she has arrived in the Victorian training ranks. A Gr 3 with Earlswood, a Gr 2 with Turaath and a sequence of country Cups with Wentwood have brought her under notice in recent months. Maddie joins us on the podcast to talk about her journey with horses, from Warrnambool pony club to racing’s big stage. She talks firstly of her acquisition of Earlswood and the way she got him fit enough to win first up after such a long absence. She discusses the hot form of another import Turaath who’s won four consecutive races for the Raymond stable. She highlights the mare’s stunning win in the Gr 2 Let’s Elope Stakes. Maddie talks of Wentwood, a two time winner for Dermot Weld before joining her stable. The gelding took a while to get going but has now won five races in Australia. The twenty eight year old takes us back to pony club days in Warrnambool and the aged thoroughbred mare who got her hooked on racehorses.

We catch up with Bryan Guy who called time on his training career recently when Gold Coast developers secured his training property at Bundall. Bryan explains his decision to retire earlier than expected. He talks of his twenty two year training partnership with son Daniel. Should Daniel not proceed Bryan is acutely aware that the Guy training dynasty will evaporate. The 67 year old goes back to early days when he was riding trackwork at Rosehill for his father Ray. He talks of Ray’s battle to get off the ground as a professional trainer in the early 60’s. Bryan says Ray Guy never enjoyed the luxury of spending power at the yearling sales but maintained a great strike rate with inexpensive horses. He acknowledges the talents of his uncle Max Guy. Bryan reflects on some of the best horses trained by his father, and the stable’s association with pioneer syndicators Hyperion Thoroughbreds. The trainer fondly remembers Ravarda, the $10000 purchase who went on to win $1 million and two Gr 1’s. He talks of

Great to catch up with the young jockey who’s been breaking records since his career began in NZ  in 2007. James begins by assessing the merits of Coolangatta’s win in the recent Magic Millions. He says he hasn’t yet committed to the Golden Slipper ride. He talks of the enviable choice of rides he has in the Gr 1 Lightning Stakes between Nature Strip and Home Affairs. James explains that Nature Strip has transformed from an uncontrollable “bolter” to a very tractable horse. He reviews the gelding’s Everest win. It’s obvious the champion jockey has great affection for Verry Elleegant. He talks of her memorable Melbourne Cup win and her proposed visit to Paris for the Prix de L’ Arc De Triomphe in October.  James speaks glowingly of Zaaki- purchased at an English tried horse sale and now one of Australia’s glamour horses. The jockey takes us back to his NZ childhood and admits that racing wasn’t on his radar early in life. It took some encouragement from a champion NZ jockey to change his thinking. James

Nobody was happier than Jean Van Overmeire when the NSW adult population hit the 80% double vaccinated mark last October. It meant the hard working jockey was able to get out of Sydney and ride wherever he wanted. Jean talks of a rapid increase in his workload. He talks of his busy trackwork schedule at Randwick and other city tracks. The expat South African looks back on the shock offer he received to ride in last year’s TAB Everest. He reviews his two rides in the Golden Slipper. Jean looks back on childhood days in South Africa and his earliest association with horses. The respected jockey remembers his move to England with his family and an apprenticeship with trainer Roger Varian. Jean has vivid memories of his first winning ride in pouring rain at Wolverhampton. He explains that Mike De Kock suggested he should go to Dubai and do nothing but ride trackwork with some elite jockeys. Jean looks back on a Hong Kong assignment entrusted to him by training wizard Mike de Kock. He tells the story of hi

Regular Sky Racing watchers are familiar with the striking cerise and white racing colours of legendary WA owner/breeder Bob Peters. Those colours are seen in the winner’s circle at Ascot and Belmont on a regular basis. Bob’s strike rate in major WA races has been extraordinary. He shares with us his journey from the tiny wheatbelt town of Dalwallinu to his current ranking as the world’s 4th most successful racehorse owner. In the podcast Bob gets all of his bad news out of the way first. He talks of his early education and the expectations of a strict dad. Horses were in his thoughts from an early age. During a University stint he drove a horse drawn milk cart at night. Bob talks of his eagerness to “earn” a quid from an early age. He looks back on a job installing bores in the wheatbelt region. He looks back on his fascination with the “car game” and a friendship with David Golding who recognized potential in young Peters. Golding made Bob a tempting offer but the young man was keen to go it alone. Bob

Great to catch up with Bathurst based harness horseman Mat Rue who at age 32 is already nearing 1000 career driving wins. He begins by acknowledging the brilliant win by his favourite Fouroeight in the recent Shirley Turnbull Memorial. Mat talks of his admiration for Fouroeight who shattered his pelvis as a 3YO. Mat says the gelding’s attitude to racing is astonishing. He talks of a handful of special horses who saved his sanity during Fouroeight’s long absence. Mat looks back on his early life at Canowindra and his obsession with standardbreds from an early age. He pays tribute to his father Ken and uncle Greg Rue- both top horsemen.  The young trainer remembers the horse who triggered his driving career. Mat looks back on his early education with top trainer Bernie Hewitt, and the support he received from the Kevin Hurst stable. He reflects on the job offer from Luke McCarthy which would lead him to undreamed of success including a Miracle Mile triumph. Mat looks back on a quick trip to America with

Great to catch up with top Victorian lightweight jockey Dean Yendall who’s feeling a little sorry for himself at the moment. Dean talks about the frustrations of endless weeks in a neck brace. He’s grateful no surgery was required. Dean reflects on the Terang fall that put him out of business just before Xmas. He says his mount Saintly Rose had the race won when she went sideways. He talks of his choice of lifestyle at rural Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera district. Dean looks back on his apprenticeship to Ken Sweeney at historic Jerilderie in the Riverina. He’s never forgotten his first win on Leinster at Narrandera more than 30 years ago. He recalls his transfer to Kilmore trainer Peter Gray. Dean reflects on his first city win at Oakbank in 1994. He looks back on early years when he tried to carve a niche for himself in many different parts of the country. He speaks fondly of a man who became his mentor and best friend. The lightweight jockey pays tribute to several trainers who gave him valuable supp

Ian begins by looking back on his emotion- charged final day of calling at Gosford in 2009.  He recalls his final metropolitan race call at Randwick just five days earlier. The former ace broadcaster talks about the post racing life of retired callers like Bryan Martin and Greg Miles. Ian talks of school days at Sydney Grammar, and the difficulties associated with having the same name as a previous Australian cricket captain. He looks back on his introduction to race broadcasts when laid up with rheumatic fever as a child. When the time came to enter the workforce, most expected young Ian to join his father’s tailoring business. Instead he started off with the Stamina Clothing Company. Ian remembers a Richmond Greyhound Racing Club advertisement which led him into the race calling field. He looks back on the days of the huge Granville Showground trotting gymkhanas where several callers gained their starts. Ian kicked off in the bushes at the back of the track. He’s never forgotten his very first paid

In keeping with our nostalgia format over the holiday break, here comes one of our favourite podcasts from 2019 with much loved Sydney media icon Graham McNeice. At the time this interview was recorded, Shadow had just finished his latest documentary The Masters Apprentice- the career of legendary jockey mentor Theo Green. He says the doco had been twenty years in the making. Graham explains how a copy of The Masters Apprentice can be accessed from the website. The man’s famous nickname The Shadow is universally known around the industry. Not everybody knows how he got the tag. Graham explains. He looks back on his early life as one of six children growing up in the inner city suburb of Croydon Park where his father Syd had a butcher’s shop. Syd hoped Graham would follow in his footsteps. Syd and Marion operated another flourishing little business within the confines of the shop.  Graham talks about his father’s friendship with Frank Kennedy who was a prominent figure in the Sydney fight game. Frank late

The former outstanding Randwick trainer talks about his introduction to horses at an Oatley riding school, and his interest in becoming an apprentice jockey.  Bob recalls that his interview with Tommy Smith was arranged by his father’s friend Arthur Davies, better known as Channel 9’s Clarence The Clocker. He looks back on 40 winners as an apprentice- most trained by his master, and all on metropolitan tracks. He acknowledges other great horsemen who helped him along the way.  Bob spent 17 years at Tulloch Lodge but left following a dispute with T.J.Smith. He explains the circumstances. He reflects on a modest start as a trainer with one horse and a rented box on the corner of Barker and Botany Streets at Randwick. The lady who owned the stable waived the rent when Bob agreed to train her horse.  Bob remembers his association with an owner who purchased a tried horse from a Rosehill stable. The horse was Tudor Charger who became the trainer’s very first winner, and at Royal Randwick of all places. It’s

The former trailblazing jockey talks of her childhood involvement with horses in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot. Pam remembers how she bristled when trying to lead a racehorse onto Eagle Farm racecourse before having to hand it over to a male. She recalls her first battle- the right to ride trackwork. Eventually she got the authorities to agree to the staging of ladies races only. Pam talks of the historic Gold Coast meeting when she became the first woman to compete against men. There were a few red faces when she booted home three winners. She remembers her bitter disappointment when Kiwi Linda Jones was granted permission to ride at Doomben. At the time Pam was restricted to outside tracks. The former jockey recalls the amazing invitation she received to ride in Japan. Pam talks of the cancer scare she endured on returning from Japan. She reminisces about some of her favourite horses with special mention of Supersnack. She was shattered to lose the ride on the brilliant sprinter Breakfast Creek. Pam

Peter begins by talking about the Central Coast stationary business he started with wife Donna after quitting the saddle in 2005. They’ve opened the doors again after the endless covid closure. Peter talks of his love for the NSW central coast where he learned to ride on a local dairy farm. He remembers the school teacher who encouraged him to consider an apprenticeship as a jockey.   Peter recalls his first trip to Sydney and the homesickness that sent him scurrying home after two days. He talks of his apprenticeship to Alan Bailey and the unforgettable early wins that would launch his career. The former popular jockey acknowledges some of his favourite horses from those early years. He pays tribute to the Randwick trainer who gave him great support, and put him on the giant horse he rates as the best he’s ever ridden.  Peter looks back on a brief metropolitan stint after completing his apprenticeship. He looks back on an exciting trip to the UK where he rode a couple of winners and formed a friends

Introducing a nice chat with one of Australia’s most consistent jockeys. Andrew Gibbons works hard, travels far and wide and rides winners on a regular basis.  Andrew talks of the freakish fall at Newcastle in July which saw him miss the first three months of the current season. He outlines the injuries incurred and the long road back to race riding. Andrew pays tribute to his twenty year old son Dylan who ranks among Australia’s most promising apprentices. He says he actually discouraged Dylan from becoming a jockey but gave up when the lad persisted. He talks of Dylan’s amazing first season and his Gr 3 winner on Hunter day. Back to Andrew Gibbons who remembers his obsession with sport. One of his chosen pursuits was a most unlikely one. The jockey talks about the pony who taught him the fundamentals of riding and his lucky break in gaining an apprenticeship with a good trainer and mentor. Andrew pays tribute to the former jockey who took an interest in his progress. He remembers the excitement of r

Great to catch up with a lady whose continued success is bringing her under notice as a very serious horse trainer. Theresa Bateup announced her presence with a metro double on Gong day. She talks about a great winning trot in the month of November. Theresa talks of the horses who made her first metropolitan double a reality. She looks back on an amazing success rate with horses purchased cheaply at the Inglis Scone sale.   Theresa reviews a brilliant Sapphire Coast win by Inglis On Line purchase Crackalacka. The trainer admits she wasn’t expecting such an impressive display. The emerging training talent talks of her training base at Kembla Grange, her loyal staff and clients.   Theresa takes us back to childhood days on the family farm at Stockinbingal and her earliest involvement with horses. She affectionately recalls Saturday afternoons with her mother who worked as an operator with the Cootamundra TAB.   The trainer recalls her growing fascination with racing and the shrine she created at home f

Had a phone call recently from former top jockey Gordon Spinks to tell me that Bruce Compton was in retirement with wife Marina on a Moreton Bay island in Queensland. A quick phone call and we had Bruce locked in for a chat. We check out where he’s living and what he’s doing in retirement. Bruce begins by talking about the final years of his riding career in northern NSW,  and a couple of business ventures he and Marina operated when he quit the saddle.    He highlights a few smart bush gallopers he got to ride at the end of his career, and talks of the health scare that ended it all.   Bruce talks of his exploits as a wine grower and as a waiter in a small restaurant he and Marina opened on their South Kempsey property. The former ace jockey takes us back to early days in Hastings NZ and his apprenticeship to George Cameron at Takanini. He relives the thrill of his very first race win. Bruce talks of three apprentice’s premiership wins and a trip to Sydney for a short stint with the legendary Theo Gre

This is the first podcast we’ve conducted with a non racing participant, but the man in question rates among Australia’s best horsemen. Scott Brodie begins by explaining his role as manager of the Prestige Equestrian Training Centre at Helensburgh. He outlines the facilities available on the property. Scott talks of the riding instruction component of the operation, and the therapy he supervises for Australian Defence Force personnel whose involvement in war zones has left them with emotional problems. He has no doubt some kind of therapeutic benefit evolves when a person suffering from stress or depression has contact with horses. Scott gives his interpretation of the reasons why. Scott talks about the wonderful results he’s had with inmates of correctional institutions who are struggling with life. He reflects on his early connection with horses. Scott looks back on his many years as an active member of the NSW Mounted Police. He talks of the unique Redfern stables where the unit has been based since 1

The CEO of the state’s controlling body talks about the 2021 edition of the Interdominion series, to be held over four exciting nights at three top class racetracks. He answers criticism of the decision to conduct two rounds of heats on regional tracks. John talks of his upbringing in a legendary western districts trotting family. He talks of Ruby Vale Stud at Alectown, a famous breeding farm established by his grandfather William in 1943. The administrator remembers his early experience with horses and his transition to the race driving ranks. He drove five winners in a brief career. John also looks back on his love of Rugby League and a fleeting Involvement as a player.  John looks back on some of the successful stallions to stand at Ruby Vale Stud. He remembers his first administrative role as a committee member of the Parkes Harness Racing Club. He later spent two years as President. John pays tribute to his late father Stan who died very recently and was farewelled by a huge congregation of mourners

It’s always a delight to chat with Darren Gauci who won a million friends during his magnificent riding career. He begins by looking back on his twilight years in the saddle when opportunities were diminishing. Darren will long remember the send off he was accorded at Caulfield in Feb 2017. He responded in the best possible way by riding a winner. Emotions ran high through the day. He talks of his current routine as a jockey mentor for Racing Victoria, and the services available to up and coming young riders. Darren talks of the natural instinct some hopefuls have for riding. He mentions one modern day champion who didn’t have that instinct. The former champion rider looks back on early wins and his first Group 1 at eighteen years of age. He rated the horse very highly. Darren remembers the surprise he got when an enthusiastic fan club started to appear at Melbourne race meetings. He reflects on the wisdom of his master Frank King who devised a simple way to keep his feet on the ground. Darren looks bac

Great to catch up with a 31 year old jockey who’s nudging 1000 career wins. Ben was sitting in his car at the Armidale racecourse when we tracked him down for this interview. He begins by singing the praises of a promising mare he rode at Grafton recently. He makes mention of a recent addition to the Port Macquarie training ranks. He’s already forged an association with Paul Shailer, a former Chris Waller Gold Coast stable manager. Ben pays tribute to the riding talents of his wife Priscilla who quit the saddle to become a Sky Racing host. He talks about the Wauchope horse property managed by Priscilla and her sister Cassandra. Ben rides frequently for his father-in-law, Grafton trainer Dwayne Schmidt. Ben looks back on his apprenticeship to Grafton trainer John Shelton, and his first day as a professional jockey. He reflects on a brief stint with Gai Waterhouse at Randwick. He rode several winners and got to handle some great gallopers in trackwork. The jockey remembers his hero worship of rising star