John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
24 hours ago
24 hours ago
It’s always a pleasure to talk to a dedicated bush trainer from any part of the nation. This week we go to the busy training hub at Dubbo and to one of its most respected participants. Dar (that’s his official christian name) was one of a family of jockeys from the tiny village of Carinda in the Walgett Shire. He spent more than 35 years as a respected member of the western riding ranks before having to quit following a serious kick from a nervous young horse. Dar has been training for some 14 years from a Dubbo base and has no intention of trying any other job. Right off the top he appeases the curiosity about his first name.
Dar talks about his infrequent trips to town and says it takes a pretty handy horse to warrant a crack at the city slickers.
He made a rare appearance at Randwick on Saturday where his two runners were out of a place, Saint Philomena and Elson Boy who had a pretty tough run. Dar says he travelled the horses to Sydney the day before in heatwave conditions.
He talks about a horse called Green Run who might earn a trip to the big smoke in the near future. The horse’s regular rider is out of action following a freak mounting yard accident recently.
Dar talks about his birthplace of Carinda which boasted a population of 200 during his childhood.
The Dubbo based trainer reflects on the riding activities of four brothers.
Dar looks back on school days in Carinda and a move to Walgett as he reached a higher grade.This was when his association with thoroughbreds began under the tutelage of a veteran trainer.
He makes the frank confession that he wasn’t licensed at the time of his first few race rides.
He looks back on his first legitimate race ride and his first winner way out west at Bourke.
Dar says he wasn’t dedicated to looking after his weight early days, but mended his ways soon after.
He talks of the shortage of race meetings in the west and the distances he had to travel to carve out a livelihood as a bush jockey.
Dar says he rarely rode on metropolitan tracks, but recalls one exciting win at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
He says he could count his Sydney rides on one hand but reflects on a two year old race at Rosehill when he ran into a rising topliner.
The 64 year old remembers his final winning ride on the spacious Warren track on a horse trained by brother Garry.
Dar talks about the freakish accident that ended his riding career.
The experienced horseman takes us through the Elson Boy story- the unraced horse identified on line by one of his most supportive owners. Dar admits he made a few mistakes before working the gelding out. He takes us through some exciting wins and one heartbreaking setback.
Dar looks back on a horse he felt was going places before going amiss.
He looks back on a great association with a western trainer who was destined to become his father-in-law.
This was Dar’s cue to acknowledge the unwavering support of Jill, his wife of 39 years.
He and Jill are the proud parents of daughters Brianna and Layne. Brianna has in turn presented her parents with three grandchildren- all girls.
Dar speaks candidly of the sudden stroke that stopped him in his tracks just over two years ago. He hated the inactivity of his recovery but opted to do everything the doctors ordered.
Dar Lunn has earned the respect of all in NSW country racing. It’s a pleasure to have him on the podcast.
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Ray Thomas’ recent decision to quit his high pressure role triggered a flood of tributes for the hugely popular media identity. Ray’s many fans were pleased to learn he’ll still be appearing on Sky Thoroughbred Central programmes “This Week Next Week” and “News Central” and intends to continue his long time hosting role on the Sunday morning edition of Sky Racing Radio’s “Big Sports Breakfast”. Ray’s passion for multiple sports was evident from an early age, but horse racing prevailed when it was time for the aspiring journalist to settle on a career path. That career has been well documented, but I’d like to add my tribute to the many he’s already received from colleagues and followers. He’s our podcast guest this week. Ray begins by revisiting his final day in the Sydney Press Room, and the touching tribute accorded him in the Newscorp office a few days later.
The popular journalist talks about the effects of his sudden departure from a very busy role.
Ray talks about a 2023 health scare and the i decision to take stock of his hectic lifestyle.
He talks of his late father’s career as an RAAF communications operator, a job that took him to several parts of the world. Young Raymond Grant was born during David Thomas’ Hong Kong stint in the early 1960’s.
Ray looks back on his dad’s transfer to Perth where his love of sport began. His interest in horse racing was triggered by the deeds of two notable thoroughbred mares and one freakishly talented harness horse. Ray says one particular race call had an amazing impact on him.
The multimedia personality looks back on his own participation in Aussie Rules and cricket during those early years in WA.
He talks of the decision to follow his father into the air force.
Ray acknowledges his elderly mother Marlene and siblings Tony and Stacey.
He talks about his own nine year career with the RAAF.
Ray takes us through the progression of roles with the Melbourne Herald Sun, the Sydney based Sportsman and finally his transition to Daily Telegraph Racing Editor, an appointment that came out of the blue.
Ray takes us back to some of the biggest stories he covered from the mid nineties up to his recent retirement. From a media viewpoint some of them were veritable “bombshells”.
The sixty one year old takes delight in revisiting the five races he rates as the most memorable he got to cover for Newscorp.
Ray talks about the heartbreaking Friday afternoon in the Newscorp office when much loved Rugby League writer Peter Frilingos suffered a fatal heart attack at his desk.
The legendary journalist was enormously thrilled when appointed to the Daily Telegraph team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. To this day he savours memories of Cathy Freeman’s dash for gold in the 400m. He was thrilled to have what he called “the best seat in the house”. Ian Thorpe’s unforgettable final leg in the 4x100m relay remains another indelible memory. (Beat American Gary Hall Jnr who’d been making some idle threats in the media)
Perhaps the major sporting event Ray enjoyed the most as a working journalist was the Wimbledon men’s final of 2012 when Roger Federer won his seventh title at the All England Club. This was a bittersweet occasion for Ray whose father had passed away the previous year.
He’s currently enjoying his new found role of grandfather to eighteen months old Charlotte. That role will soon be expanded.
This is a lovely stroll down memory lane with a legend of the Australian racing media.
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
My thanks to Luke Berger who suggested we should take a trip down memory lane with his grandfather John, who’s remembered as one of the best country trainers of his generation. The veteran was in his early 80’s when he relinquished his licence in 2014, but spent another five years helping out on the ground for grandson Luke. John had no special ambition when he began his training career in …. He simply loved horses and knew there was nothing else he wanted to do. Over the next three and a half decades John Berger became a trainer of great repute in northern NSW.
John says he continues to enjoy reasonably good health.
He talks of the special anniversary he and wife Val celebrated recently.
John talks of his retirement from the training ranks and an enjoyable five years assisting grandson Luke.
The veteran takes a keen interest in Luke’s current role as a racehorse owner’s group manager.
John says he’d never been on a horse’s back at the time he walked into the stables of Glen Innes trainer Reg Madgewick in the 1950’s.
He looks back on Madgewick’s talents as a horseman.
John reflects on a long period away from horses and a move to Sydney with his young family in search of job opportunities. He stayed for seventeen years.
The former trainer remembers his move back to the country and a sapphire mining venture with brother Tony.
John recalls the acquisition of his trainer’s licence and the thrill of his first win at Bingara.
The respected horseman shares his memories of the handy bush horses he got to train over more than three decades, with special mention of his all time favourite Main Supply.
John looks back on the methods he preferred to use in the training of thoroughbreds.
The veteran pays tribute to the country trainers and jockeys he most admired.
He looks back on the many bush race clubs he supported over the years.
You rarely get to talk to horsemen of John’s generation. It was a pleasure to have him on our podcast.
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Clint Lundholm stands 182 cm and weighs in at 80kgs, but continues to ride regular trackwork at Dubbo. It’s hard to believe the same bloke was a professional jockey for close to three years in which time he posted 218 wins including a handful of country Cup successes. An eighteen month stint followed in the amateur ranks before he finally followed the family tradition of training racehorses. In just thirteen years in the role, Cint has posted 1012 wins and has a NSW country trainer’s premiership on his CV. At one stage his team grew to almost fifty horses, creating an unmanageable workload. Today he rarely has more than twenty in work and is thoroughly enjoying the job. Clint joins us on the podcast and begins by talking about his frenetic 2022/2023 season. He says the results were gratifying but the toll was high.
He takes us right back to early days in Coonamble under the tutelage of his grandfather, legendary country trainer John Lundholm Snr.
Clint reflects on the lessons learned from the elder Lundholm.
He reflects on the stories he heard about his grandfather’s association with champion country jockey Dennis Firth.
The trainer looks back on his first day as a professional jockey when he had five rides at a Nyngan meeting.
Clint hasn’t forgotten the thrill of his first winning ride.
He looks back on a three month loan out to Gai Waterhouse at Randwick. He recalls being gobsmacked by the enormity of the Tulloch Lodge operation.
Unable to adapt to city life, Clint says he returned to the bush to finish his apprenticeship with a new boss.
Lundholm understands why people are surprised to learn he was once a professional jockey.
He pays tribute to the horse he regards as the best he rode in his short time in the saddle.
Clint looks back on a very happy eighteen months in the amateur riding ranks.
He remembers the commencement of his solo training career and his father’s decision to join the team.
Clint was chuffed to join the ranks of trainers who were able to win with their very first starter.
He’s not a regular in the city but is thrilled to have a couple of TAB Highway winners on the board.
Clint is adamant that Listen To the Band is the best horse he’s trained to date.
He talks of the talented but injury plagued Quasimoto who’ll shortly return to work.
Clint says he had a lot of fun with ten time winner Any Blinkin’ Day.
The trainer speaks of former metropolitan galloper Notabadidea who won a country Cups tre le after entering his stable.
He acknowledges the support he’s had from a select group of prominent western districts jockeys with a special shout out to his partner Zoe Hunt who’s been in top form of late.
This is a nice chat with a …year old who was destined to forge a career in the racing game.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Racing’s best judges were predicting a big future for Braith Nock long before he ever rode in a race. How right they were! The third generation jockey won at his first ever race ride, and hasn’t stopped riding winners since. Braith made a huge statement last season when he became champion Sydney apprentice with 40 metropolitan winners. The quietly spoken twenty four year old honed his balance with several years as a bull rider, before taking up an apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Brett Cavanough.
There are many other things Braith would rather be doing than recording interviews, but he kindly consented to join us this week on the podcast. He talks about his punishing recent schedule.
Braith is delighted to have the support of his former master Brett Cavanough.
He explains the recent addition of his trademark moustache.
The young jockey takes us back to his bull riding years and the serious accident that stopped him in his tracks.
Braith remembers the thrill of winning at his very first race ride.
He says he enjoyed a three month stint with top Randwick trainer Peter Snowden despite a bout of homesickness.
Braith looks at some of his favourite city winners including a trio of mares from the Maher stable.
He looks back on a healthy number of doubles and trebles, and one spectacular four timer at Gilgandra.
The young jockey speaks of the thrill of riding a Wellington Boot winner.
Braith speaks of Brett Cavanough’s recently formulated training partnership with daughter Georgie.
He’s thrilled to report his elder sister Dana is also apprenticed to Brett Cavanough.
Braith pays tribute to his trainer/Mum Jane Clement.
He says he was beginning to think he’d never ride a winner for his mother. It finally happened at Kempsey.
Braith talks of his passion for fishing.
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
It’s a great pleasure to welcome to the podcast former jockey Alan Cowie, currently one of Australia’s best known jockey managers. If you call him Alan you’ll be lucky to get a response- if you call him Pup you’ll get an instant reaction. That’s the nickname given him by a friend in Rockhampton many years ago, a nickname he’s been unable to shake over several decades.
Alan Cowie had 760 winners and a Gold Coast premiership under his belt when he was involved in a three horse fall on the first turn in a fillies and mares race on Magic Millions day 2002. He was in a bad way by the time he arrived at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital where his impending paraplegia was diagnosed.
Pup’s acceptance of his fate and an amazing ongoing attitude have become legendary in Queensland racing. He graciously accepted our invitation to join us on the podcast, and was happy to revisit the highs and lows of his life so far. Alan says he was always going to stay in the racing game after a long and trying rehabilitation.
He talks about the demands of modern day jockey management.
Alan acknowledges the talents of the three jockeys under his management at the moment.
He looks back on some of the fine riders he’s managed since commencing operations more than twenty years ago.
Life in a wheelchair isn’t without its hazards. Alan talks about a freakish recent accident which left him with a broken femur.
He says regular exercise is of paramount importance in keeping ahead of his problems. He continues to play golf thanks to the wonders of technology.
Pup takes us back to early days in his hometown of Rockhampton, and talks of three other jockeys in his family background.
He talks of his original apprenticeship to a rural Queensland trainer who was reluctant to use up his weight claims too quickly.
Alan’s famous nickname of “Pup” was bestowed upon him by an older friend in Rockhampton.
He hasn’t forgotten the influence of two legendary jockeys who won multiple Rockhampton premierships between them.
Pup remembers two great bush horses who got him up and running in the local riding ranks.
He says a well known stipendiary steward instigated his transfer to Sydney trainer Jack Denham.
Alan looks back on an exciting twelve months in the famous Denham stable at Rosehill.
He has a soft spot for one consistent Denham trained horse he got to ride.
Alan looks back on the eighteen months he spent at Rosehill after the termination of his apprenticeship. He enjoyed a great trot with the late Ray Guy.
He finally headed home with the opportunity of a regular riding job with Brisbane trainer Colin O’Neill. An amazing twist of fate changed all of that.
Alan looks back on his valuable stint with master trainer Jim Griffiths.
He hasn’t forgotten the winning run he had with the Toby Edmonds trained Chappel Dancer. He travelled with the horse to several country Cup carnivals.
We set aside ample time for Alan’s review of his exciting association with Kinjite, a horse he rode in 22 races. He says Kinjite was the best horse he rode by a country mile.
Alan looks back on several feature wins on Kinjite and the thrill of riding him in some famous Melbourne features.
He remembers the disappointment of losing the ride to champion jockey Mick Dittman.
Alan talks of sons Jarrod and Dylan.
He remembers the torturous eight year wait for legal proceedings to be sorted out following his accident.
It’s an entertaining chat with an inspirational human being.
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Many young people born into racing families develop an affinity with horses from a very early age. Not the case with Craig Widdison. Despite the fact that his father Col had ridden and trained successfully, young Craig didn’t want to know about the sleek thoroughbreds that had dominated his early years. His original goal was to become a physical education teacher. He later became involved in roller hockey and immediately showed potential. He had enough ability to play for Australia in the junior ranks, and looked a certainty to represent his country as a senior until fate intervened. A nagging knee problem brought an end to his hockey dreams, and that’s when the racing bug finally took hold. Craig takes us through his twenty five years in racing. He talks about the highs, and one devastating low for which he blames nobody but himself. The Wodonga trainer begins by talking about a trip to Randwick on Melbourne Cup day when The Prodigal Son ‘s chances were thwarted by a H8 track.
Craig revisits a win by the same horse on Melbourne Cup day last year.
The trainer talks about his Wodonga base and easy access to southern NSW meetings.
Craig talks about father Col’s days as a jockey and trainer, and subsequent involvement in the horse transport business.
He admits to having zero interest in racehorses early days, and looks back on his ambition to become a PE teacher.
Craig looks back on his fascination with roller hockey and his selection for the Australian junior representative side.
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
It's always a pleasure to welcome a bush trainer to the podcast. Our guest this week is Stephen Lee who chips away diligently from his Ballina base season after season with consistent results.
He’s currently ably assisted by son Jordan with whom he’ll soon form an official partnership. Lee has posted 850 winners since his solo career began in 1986, and has two NRRA training premierships on his CV.
Stephen rotates his horses between a dual barn complex on Ballina racecourse, and a nearby 60 acre property which gives him access to a pristine stretch of beach. Whenever one of the team warrants an opportunity in a metropolitan environment, he heads to Eagle Farm or Doomben just two hours away. He rarely tackles the arduous road trip to Sydney although he did venture to Randwick on November 1st with smart sprinter The Astronomer. This podcast was recorded twenty four hours before The Astronomer raced.
Stephen talks of the easy access to Brisbane tracks as opposed to the marathon trip to Sydney.
He acknowledges son Jordan’s entry into the NSW training ranks and says he’s looking forward to their proposed partnership.
Stephen talks about the luxury of being able to give horses a complete change of environment at his beachside property. He says the new routine works wonders with highly strung horses.
He talks about the large paddock set aside for retired racehorses or horses who’ve fallen on hard times. His partner Amanda would have even more if space allowed.
The trainer talks about his two NRRA premierships. In winning the first one he unseated long time incumbent John Shelton.
Stephen looks back on his early education under the tutelage of his late father Bruce. He says Bruce was a capable racehorse trainer but was best known as an all rounder constantly called upon to sort out other people’s troublesome horses.
He talks of his father’s early association with iconic trainer Maurice McCarten.
The Ballina horseman pays tribute to his elderly Mum.
Stephen says his early aspirations to become a jockey were quickly negated by increasing weight.
He talks of a brief flirtation with the harness racing sport.
Stephen has vivid recollections of his first training win on the defunct White ParK track at Scone.
He talks of a brief training stint at Coffs Harbour and a subsequent move to Ballina, a move he hasn’t regretted.
Stephen pays tribute to daughter Maddison who was his valued trackwork rider for a number of years. Maddison put a lot of time into Anton En Avant, a prolific winner for the Lee stable. As a yearling Anton En Avant appeared unlikely to ever make it to the races.
He talks about the gelding’s amazing race record which included a win in the Gr 3 Chairman’s Hcp at Doomben.
Stephen talks of former jockey Cassandra Schmidt who won a string of races on Anton En Avant.
The trainer pays tribute to several handy horses who’ve flown the flag for the Ballina stable over the years - Zoukina, Lasting Kiss, Minassi, Felix Trinidad, Song Time, Bavosa, and Espiritu.
Stephen tells us more about his current apprentice Siabh Wrigley who still has a number of trial rides to complete before gaining her licence to ride in races. The signs are promising.
It’s a laid back chat with a top country horseman.
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Jessica Owers was well established as a feature writer for several respected racing publications before being invited to tackle her first book in 2011. She knew the project would be a long and arduous one. She didn’t expect it to take all of six years. Her much admired “Peter Pan- The True Story Of Phar Lap’s Successor” was not only widely acclaimed but gave its author the incentive to follow up with a similar tribute to another iconic Australian racehorse. Just two years later she brought readers the fascinating story of 1940’s champion Shannon.
It’s taken Jessica twelve years to turn out her third book, and this one is on an entirely different theme. Encouraged by friends at the famous Magic Millions Sales organisation, the talented writer recently completed Magic Millions, The Rise, Fall and Extraordinary Rise Of An Iconic Australian Company. We welcome Jess to our podcast to tell us more about her new book and to share with us recollections of her fascinating journey in journalism thus far. The gifted writer says she was encouraged to tackle the Magic Millions story by a handful of longtime company stalwarts.
She explains that most of the people involved in the Magic Millions story are still living, which greatly enhanced her research. The central characters in the Peter Pan and Shannon stories had long passed on.
Jessica talks about the impression she gained during research about the late Carl Waugh, the man who first created the Magic Millions concept.
She says few realised how close the fledgling company came to receivership in the 1990’s.
The author talks of a meeting she had with a Gold Coast developer who owned the Magic Millions company for a couple of years before hitting his own financial crisis.
Jess says she also had the pleasure of recording a voice over for the audio version of her new book.
She talks of her Irish birthplace and a family relocation to Australia before her first birthday.
The mother of two looks back on a return to Ireland at age 10 and a subsequent university degree attained in Scotland.
Jess says she headed back to Australia with her new diploma in hand and has never considered leaving the harbour city.
She steadfastly declares that her love of thoroughbreds was triggered by the legend of Phar Lap.
Jess looks back on the six year slog required to complete her first book, “Peter Pan- The Forgotten Story Of Phar Lap’s Successor.”
She reflects on Peter Pan’s stellar racing career.
Jessica explains why she selected 1940’s champion Shannon as the subject of her second thoroughbred biography.
She gives a brief outline of Shannon’s distinguished Australian racing career and the “one-off” Inglis sale convened to sell the great horse following the death of his owner and trainer Peter Riddle.
The author also looks back on the stallion’s subsequent sale to the US where he won several races before standing at Kentucky’s famous Spendthrift Farm.
Jess talks about her freelance roles with several racing platforms including her current contribution to “The Straight”- a recently introduced, subscription based digital publication founded and edited by respected journalist Bren O’Brien.
She talks about her Racing Writer Of the Year nomination at the . 2023 Kennedy Awards. She didn’t win but was deeply touched by the honour.
Jess talks about her own love of horse riding and pays a special tribute to Moxie’s Halo- the former racehorse who became her best equine friend. Moxie died much too soon.
She talks of the trauma experienced by the whole family when her sister Sonya was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2009.
Her admiration for Sonya’s courage is boundless.
Jessica speaks with great affection of the two shining lights in her life- son Julien and daughter Charlotte.
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Mitchell Bell is one of several Sydney based jockeys who regularly ply their trade on outside tracks. His manager Shaun Flaherty makes a point of committing Mitch to race meetings no further than three hours from his Windsor home. The hard working jockey is a regular at places like Scone, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Goulburn, Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee. Mitchell’s unwavering reliability has seen him build a strong support base among a wide range of trainers. The jockey says he’s learned to handle the tedium of constant travel.
Mitchell talks about the two hip replacement surgeries he’s been forced to undergo in recent years.
He says he never knew his grandfather Billy Bell who was a successful Sydney jockey in the 60’s and 70’s.
Mitchell pays tribute to his father Steve who had a jockey’s build but opted to pursue a career as a professional boxer- a career that led him to an Australian flyweight crown.
Mitchell says his riding plans could have been thwarted when he was involved in a freak gymnasium accident at age 13.
He looks back on his amazing recovery from serious hand injuries and early riding education at an Ingleburn riding school.
The 40 year old talks about his apprenticeship to Tamworth trainer Mark Mason and an inauspicious first ride at Quirindi.
He pays tribute to a former leading country jockey who became his tutor in Tamworth track gallops.
Mitch hasn’t forgotten the thrill of landing his first winner.
He remembers the most minor detail about his initial metropolitan win on the historic stretches of Royal Randwick.
The jockey acknowledges the first notable horse he got to ride after returning to Sydney as a fully fledged rider.
Mitch plays tribute to the talented Artlee who gave him success in the Wild Card and Final of the 2015 Country Championship.
He says Artlee was also the centrepiece of one of his biggest racing disappointments.
Bell talks of a successful association with the Waller stable on outside tracks. He recalls a Newcastle win on Youngstar immediately before the filly went to Brisbane to win two important races.
He rates another Waller trained horse as one of the best he’s ridden. Mitch looks back on a black type Hawkesbury win on Cellarman.
He talks about the strong association he’s forged with Peter Snowden and a recent Newcastle treble for the stable.
Mitchell speaks fondly of a strong association with legendary horseman Ron Quinton.
He acknowledges the support of several other prominent stables.
Mitch says he was greatly influenced by two special role models in the early part of his career.
He doesn’t take for granted the luxury he enjoys in being able to maintain a weight of 53kgs.
The much travelled jockey says he’s sometimes tempted by offers to ride in the city but is reluctant to inconvenience established country and provincial supporters.
The 40 year old speaks fondly of wife Hollie and children Harper, Billy and Tayla.
This is a nice chat with an ever reliable jockey who prefers to ‘hit the highway” in his quest for winners.