John Tapp Racing

Saw a bloke called Dale Smith ride a few Brisbane winners over the last month and was curious about his background. It was obvious he’d had plenty of experience so I tracked him down for a podcast.    Dale and his partner Melissa Taylor made a snap decision to move to Queensland a couple of years ago. He talks about the reason for such an important move after two decades in Victoria.   He acknowledges the trainers who immediately offered him support once he started riding work at Eagle Farm.   Dale talks of a recent relocation to the Sunny Coast where he’s riding work  for several trainers and Melissa has procured stables for her ten horse team.   The jockey takes us back to childhood days in the Kimberleys and his late father’s  successful riding career. He reflects on his dad’s battle with cancer.    Dale recalls his schooling in Perth and an apprenticeship to a leading trainer. He’s very honest about an attitude problem he suffered as a teenager.   He looks back on a move to Victoria orchestrat