John Tapp Racing

Thoroughly enjoyed my first chat with Bill Mitchell since he left the training ranks in 2005. He begins by outlining his reasons for relocating to Melbourne in his final years as a trainer. Bill talks of his surprise decision to relinquish his licence and the establishment of his own bloodstock consultancy business. The multiple Group 1 winning trainer looks back on nine years as racing manager for the Segenhoe Group. Bill reflects on the excitement of migrating from England with his family at age 11. His father Major James Mitchell had purchased Yarraman Park Stud from legendary jockey George Moore. He talks of school days in Australia and the affinity he developed with thoroughbreds at Yarraman Park.  Bill reflects on his return to England where he learned the basics of training from Fulke Johnson Houghton. Then it was back to Sydney for a stint with Neville Begg. Still feeling his education was incomplete, Bill headed to the USA where he landed a job in the stable of decorated trainer Neil Drysdale.