John Tapp Racing

We present again a 2019 chat with Gordon Spinks, a high profile jockey of the 1960’s and 70’s. Gordon talks of the heart attack he suffered while driving from Longreach to Brisbane in 2019. He didn’t realise what had happened to him. The 73 year old says his heart issues aren’t over yet. The former outstanding jockey looks back on childhood days in Sydney, and the neighbour’s pony he couldn’t wait to ride. Gordon reflects on the newspaper advertisement which led him to Theo Green’s stable. He recalls the track gallops with Theo by his side and the start of his mateship with Ron Quinton. Spinks explains why he preferred to use his middle name rather than his given christian name. Gordon remembers his very first winner at Mudgee and his initial city win. He recalls the beginning of a successful association with Tommy Smith. He was stunned when the top trainer started giving him Gr 1 rides when he was still an apprentice. Gordon has never forgotten a last to first win on NZ mare Unpainted in the 1968 Don