John Tapp Racing

Episode 409: Robbie Fradd

Understandably Robbie Fradd is going through a tough period of adjustment as he comes to terms with the reality of an enforced retirement. The champion international jockey has been grounded by specialists after recently undergoing major heart bypass surgery. Rob intends to stay in Brisbane where he’s been riding for close to nine years. He talks about the shortage of breath and fatigue which warned him of impending trouble.

Rob admits to a nicotine addiction throughout his riding career, but says it was largely to keep his mind off food.

The former outstanding jockey takes us back to his childhood in Durban, and his non racing family.

He talks of a five year stay at the famous South African Jockeys Academy which launched the careers of some world class jockeys.

Robbie talks of his apprenticeship to trainer Vaughan Marshall who had a significant impact on his life.

He recalls with affection his very first win on Barberton for trainer Jacky Gorton.

The retired jockey talks of the importance to racing participants of a race called The Durban July. He was fortunate enough to win it twice, although the first one was by default.

Robbie’s second win in the great race was on Dynasty, a horse he rates among the best he’s ever ridden.

He recalls his 1996 success in another famous race the J&B Met in Cape Town.

Rob talks of his many trips to Hong Kong and his memorable association with the champion Fairy King Prawn. He talks in particular of a Gr 1 win in Japan, and his unforgettable duel with Sunline in the 2000 HK Mile.

He looks back on wins in the HK Derby, the Chairman’s Mile and three Stewards Cups all at Gr 1 level. 

Robbie speaks of his elation when he won a HK jockeys premiership against some formidable opposition.

He looks back on a flying visit to Singapore which brought him a Derby winner and an eventual full time contract with leading trainer Patrick Shaw, an expatriate South African.

You can hear the admiration in Rob’s voice as he talks about the great horse Rocket Man who won 20 races from 27 starts. The jockey won three Lion City Cups on the brilliant galloper.

Fradd was 50 years old when he arrived in Brisbane in 2014, motivated by the spectacular success of countryman Jeff Lloyd. He recalls the support he received from Brisbane and Gold Coast trainers.

He acknowledges his only Queensland Gr 1 win on Tyzone in the Stradbroke.

He talks of daughters Alexa and Madison and nine year old son Liam. He admits his wife Natalie has to get used to his being around more than usual.

At 58 he was coming to the end of a great career, but he’s disappointed he wasn’t able to go out on his own terms. This is a nice yarn with a jockey who loved every moment of his four decades in the saddle.

Episode 408: Dennis Firth

When Harry Troy sang the praises of Dennis Firth in a podcast last year, I made it my business to track down the former 16 time western districts premiership winner. Dennis is now 72 years of age, and still residing in his much loved hometown of Coonamble.

He’s the kind of bloke who’s not comfortable talking about his own achievements but after a little coaxing he hit top gear. Den humbly acknowledges the fact that he rode 1499 winners in an era when racing was held only once a week in the bush.

He’s adamant that a training career was never in the mix.

Dennis says his retirement wasn’t planned. It materialised following a race fall.

The former outstanding jockey talks about a family history in Coonamble dating back to the late 19th century. He talks of his father George who was an in demand farrier in the district.

Dennis looks back on the days when he would sneak onto the local racecourse early mornings with his trusty pony, and match strides with the thoroughbreds for a short distance. This was the catalyst for his later career.

He says he stayed at school longer than most but showed no special aptitude in the classroom.

Dennis looks back on his good fortune in gaining an apprenticeship with the extraordinary horseman John Lundholm. He pays tribute to John and wife Colleen.

The former ace jockey has never forgotten his very first race ride at Gulargambone. He says it was a “slaughter”. His first win came later at Gilgandra.

Dennis was a fairly frequent visitor to the city in his early years. He remembers his first metropolitan win on Bid Day at Randwick.

He says other Sydney trainers occasionally sought the benefit of his claim. He tells the story of the Warwick Farm trainer who introduced him to fluid pills. The results were disastrous.

Dennis talks of a Randwick win on Conra during the 1975 AJC Autumn Carnival. This was the day he met Conra’s owner, the celebrated owner and breeder Stanley Wootton. 

He remembers other winning days in town. He wore a famous set of colours when he won a race on Ballad, owned by AJC Chairman Sir Brian Crowley.

Dennis recalls winning a race at Warwick Farm on Skipper King which earned him a special 2GB sponsor’s award. He still has the trophy.

Firth looks back on his one and only ride in a Gr 1 race. The conditions at Randwick were deplorable when he went around in the 1989 Sydney Cup.

He talks of Marlotta, the mare he rode in that Sydney Cup. he says she was one of the best horses he rode in the western districts. 

Like his good friend Harry Troy, Dennis had one race ride on the real Fine Cotton. He says the horse he rode couldn’t possibly have won a race at Eagle Farm.

Dennis nominates the horse he believes was potentially a top liner. He won some country races on the talented but unsound Gun Drift, a son of Gunsynd.

He acknowledges Lord Dante, the tough old bush warrior he partnered in 25 wins.

Dennis talks about some of the faraway meetings he patronised.

He looks back on many multiple win days, and his enviable record in country Cup races.

Dennis pays tribute to some of the wonderful bush jockeys who provided tough opposition on the western tracks.

He remembers his loving mother Joan who died only last year at the remarkable age of 94. 

Dennis talks of brother Rodney, and sisters Annette and Wendy. He pays tribute to Wendy’s husband Brian Fletcher, long time CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club and now occupying a similar role with the Panthers Group. He tells a funny little story about his brother-in-law at the Walgett races.

Older racing people in the western region will have fond memories of the brilliant young jockey who wouldn’t stop winning premierships. This is his story.

Episode 407: Christian Reith

Christian Reith was riding winners everywhere when a Newcastle race fall in April of last year left him with vertebrae fractures. Only a week earlier he’d ridden a winning treble at Goulburn. Specialists were adamant he’d be out for at least one year but Christian’s dedication to his rehabilitation saw him gain a clearance after ten months. The talented jockey looks back on the fall that he could see was about to happen.

He says the specialists gave him little hope of returning inside a year.

Christian looks back on a frustrating ten months on the sidelines.

The jockey talks of a relocation to Nelson Bay in the latter part of his rehabilitation.

Although committed to stables in the Hunter region he’ll ride in Sydney if the right opportunity comes along. There’s a certain Newcastle three year old right now who’s certain to lure him to town.

Christian talks of the loyalty extended to him by the owner and trainer of Promitto.

The jockey looks back on a Brisbane apprenticeship and the thrill of his first win. His first city win took a while to come around.

Christian talks of a nasty fall in which he was involved at Caloundra early in his career. Little did he know the ramifications of that fall would come back to haunt him.

He’s totally honest in talking about the demons he had to battle in the early years of his riding career. He continued to perform at a high level despite some serious emotional issues.

The jockey talks of his nervous collapse and a long break from racing.

Christian looks back on his return to Sydney in 2009 and the amazing run of success that lay ahead. Many leading stables were chasing his services.

He remembers his first Gr 1 win on the brilliant Nechita in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. He says the brilliant mare is the best he’s ridden. 

Christian remembers his Gr 1 wins on Complacent, Le Romain and Dixie Blossoms.

He reflects on the amazing continuation of racing through strict Covid protocols.

Christian talks of his plans to ride regularly in the Hunter region and further north if required.

He talks of a winning association with Godolphin before last year’s race fall.

Christian says the strength of the riding ranks out of Sydney is often underestimated.

He acknowledges the importance of provincial and country racing to jockeys who are overlooked in the city.

Episode 406: Paul St Vincent

I enjoy reminiscing with bush horsemen, especially one who’s been around for a while. We catch up with Paul St Vincent who took a long time to retire but his stables are finally empty. He does however travel from Tamworth to Coffs Harbour whenever his sons Aiden and Kane require his help. This interview was recorded ten days before Aiden’s talented horse Lisztomania won the Country Championship qualifier at Port Macquarie. Paul talks of his long road trips to the coast.

He talks of sons Aiden and Kane and their respective careers in the racing industry.

Paul talks of his early aspirations to become a golfer and subsequent jobs in golf club pro shops.

He says harness horses sparked his interest at the old Newcastle Showground track.

Paul talks of his time with the Narrabri Golf Club and then a career change into caravan and horse float sales.

The former successful trainer recalls a chance meeting with a man who would change his life. He met legendary horse trainer Merv Corless at the Tamworth Golf Club. They became great friends.

Paul talks of the gesture by Merv Corless destined to launch his training career. Paul wasn’t at the track the day his first winner bobbed up.

He talks of his move into the Tamworth Jockey Club’s  on course stables and remembers some of the loyal owners who helped to get his career up and running.

Paul pays tribute to a string of his favourite horses with a few funny stories thrown in.

He acknowledges the long term support he received from some great country jockeys.

Paul delights in telling the story about his acquisition of the horse destined to take him to a bigger stage.

He speaks of a friendship with Gerry Harvey which would lead him to The Jackal, eventual winner of more than $1 million dollars in prize money.

Paul takes us through a racing career which would see The Jackal post 15 wins and 16 placings. He was a multiple stakes winner.

The former trainer reveals that The Jackal, at twenty years of age still has the run of his Tamworth property.

Paul pays tribute to daughters Lucinda and Erlina and acknowledges the long term support of his wife Therese.

This is a laid back chat with a respected bush trainer who more than held his own whenever he brought one to town.

Episode 405: Jason Warren

To Victoria we go for this week’s podcast with talented trainer Jason Warren who’s based on the Mornington Peninsula. Jason was lucky to get himself a Gr 1 winner early in his career, and hopes to find another one or two in the future. He begins by acknowledging the talents of his smart 3YO filly Benedetta.

He’s also pretty keen on a three year old called Grand Pierro who was luckless in the Victoria Derby. 

Jason talks about the decision to sell his lovely Mornington training property to Barbara and Barrie Saunders. He still works some of his horses at Denistoun Park.

He describes his own training base right on the Mornington racecourse.

Jason reflects on childhood days in Bega on the NSW South Coast and a very early love affair with horses. He talks of an early transition into the breaking of young horses.

He says horse breaking was his primary interest early days and remembers his first job at the beautifully appointed Shipton Lodge at Cobbitty.

Jason talks of his next move to Phillipa Duncan’s Hardwicke Stud at Yass, the property where the Freedman brothers grew up.

He talks of a two year stint at Eliza Park Stud in Victoria. 

Jason looks back on his first tentative crack at running his own business. He combined racehorses with pre trainers and breakers on a property at Moorooduc. His first winner came along during this period.

The Bega born horseman explains that he felt in need of further tuition in the finer points of racehorse training. He was lucky to gain a foreman’s role with Lee and Anthony Freedman at Markdel. He remembers his association with Makybe Diva.

Jason finally got serious about training in his own right. He talks about some of the horses to get him up and running.

He obviously wants to devote extra time to his recollections of the classy Bel Sprinter- the horse to give him a Sydney Gr 1 win and an invitation to Singapore.

Jason is frank in his summation of the “Baron Archer affair- a situation that saw him incur a huge fine. He says the only positive to come out of the regretful episode was his resolve to never make the same mistake again. He explains it well.

The Mornington horseman is adamant that Brooklyn Hustle is by far the second best horse to come through his stables.

Jason acknowledges the contribution of Pryde’s EasiFeed to his training operation.

The trainer talks of his three daughters and their natural affinity with horses. He says their mother Yasmin keeps a close eye on their equine involvement.

Jason talks of the jockeys he uses on a regular basis.

He says his surname triggered a nickname early in life which follows him around to this day. He’s aware that a famous Sydney sports media identity has the same predicament.

Episode 404: Geoff Allendorf

After more than three years under lockdown in Macau, Geoff Allendorf was delighted to finally make it back to Australia over Xmas/New Year to catch up with family and friends. I tracked him down during that stay to line up the podcast you’re about to hear. 

Geoff talks of his return to Macau after a wonderful few weeks in his homeland. Now in his 17th year as a trainer at the Taipa racecourse, he talks of his own current team and the reduced equine population in the colony.

The former Sydney jockey talks of a nostalgic visit to his hometown of Cairns and a long overdue catch up with his parents and siblings.

Geoff looks back on his approach to Theo Green in the late 1960’s in the hope an apprenticeship might be available. Theo didn’t have a vacancy but helped organise the young Queenslander’s indentureship to Bede Horan.

He pays tribute to his original master who trained for many years in the western districts before securing stables at Rosehill. Bede supplied Geoff’s very first winner.

Geoff recalls his first metropolitan win and a successful association he enjoyed with Rosehill trainer Terry Ramsey.

He forged a great association with trainer Dr. Geoff Chapman in the mid 1980’s. He rode numerous winners for the medico turned horse trainer including a Canterbury 2YO event, and a Brambles Classic on the budding topliner Myocard.

Geoff talks of the day he almost caused a massive boilover at Rosehill. His mount More Mink at long odds went close to upsetting champion Kingston Town in the Premiere Stakes.

He remembers his association with Brian Mayfield-Smith who was rapidly making a name for himself in Sydney racing.

The former jockey looks back on 3 seasons in Hong Kong which brought him a couple of significant wins.

Macau racing was on the way up when Geoff arrived in 1991. He would go on to win three local premierships and finish second in another. He said the opposition was strong with jockeys coming from all over the world.

During the early 90’s he would return to Australia from time to time and immediately establish a presence at trackwork. On one of those visits his work ethic brought him in touch with a visiting NZ trainer who was campaigning a 3YO in Sydney. Geoff landed the winning ride on Western Red in the Gr 1 Canterbury Guineas.

Allendorf sustained several injuries during his riding career but regards himself as one of the lucky ones.

On his retirement from the saddle, Geoff returned to Sydney and virtually earned a livelihood riding trackwork at Rosehill. He says the thought of a training stint in Macau was always at the back of his mind.  He couldn’t get back there quickly enough when he learned that the late Russell Cameron was looking for an assistant trainer.

Geoff says he was elated to receive his own trainer’s licence in 2005.  He talks of the better horses he’s had the good fortune to train in the last 17 years, and his most prestigious wins.

He looks back on some of the brilliant jockeys who’ve had short term stints in Macau in the last thirty years. 

Geoff says he was still riding trackwork as recently as three years ago. 

Not surprisingly he pays tribute to Harry Troy, another expat Aussie who continues to fly the flag in Macau- jockey, mounting yard analyst, race caller, journalist and Master Of Apprentices. Geoff says Harry’s back behind the microphone at Taipa after a very short retirement.

Sixty five year old Geoff Allendorf pays tribute to his Australian family which includes a total of four grandchildren.

He talks of his vision for the long term future, and his obsession with the game of golf.

It’s a laid back chat with the kid from Cairns who came through a tough school in the Sydney racing industry in the 70’s and 80’s. It was the perfect preparation for a future which has seen him excel as a jockey and trainer in the fiercely competitive Asian racing arena.

Episode 403: Mark de Montfort

The 63 year old was stunned in November when diagnosed with Bradycardia - an excessively slow heart rate. While not life threatening the condition can cause sudden fatigue and shortage of breath when the sufferer is placed under high stress levels. Riding half a ton of racehorse at a fast gallop isn’t the smartest thing to be doing when you’ve been diagnosed with Bradycardia. Mark’s emotional upheaval coincided with the passing of his much loved mother Gwen. The successful trainer and former brilliant jockey pays tribute to a very special Mum.

Mark talks about the slow onset of his condition and the sudden drop in energy levels.

He says it took only one chest pain to send him scurrying to a cardiologist.

Mark talks of the distribution of his horses to other stables and fondly remembers his final training win.

The talented horseman explains that Bradycardia isn’t the only health issue he’s battling at the moment. He talks of the complicated toe injury he sustained under the most unlikely circumstances.

Mark rode several outstanding horses during a stellar career as a jockey, but he has special affection for a mare called Red Letter Daze. It’s a great little story.  

He says McLintock was by far and away the best horse he trained - six wins, 13 placings and more than $500,000. He got him by sheer accident.

Mark says a grey mare called Country Matters was the one to get away. He was devastated when she broke down.

de Montfort takes us back to his original apprenticeship to a great horseman called Frank Penfold. He says he couldn’t have had a better tutor.

He remembers his transfer to Ray Guy and the unforgettable thrill of his first win on Tudor Vain at Kembla.

Mark is still trying to work out how Theo Green was the trainer to supply his first Gr 1 winner- Red Nose in the 1979 Canterbury Guineas.

He’s never forgotten his first Randwick Gr 1 success on Row Of Waves in the 1985 Doncaster. The win launched a long and fruitful association with trainer Les Bridge.

Mark was delighted to win the 1986 Epsom on Chanteclair for Tommy Smith.

Shane Dye’s decision to ride Myocard in the 1987 Rawson Stakes brought Mark the prized ride on Myocard. The association continued in spectacular fashion through the Autumn Carnival.

It’s almost certain that Quick Flick was de Montfort’s all time favourite. He looks back on a wonderful association with the free striding grey.

Mark’s reminiscences about his Golden Slipper win on Catbird make for interesting listening.

He looks back on several overseas riding stints.

Mark talks of the successful business he and wife Carol operated in the CBD for a few years.

The retired horseman was a natural sportsman from early days at school. He was a good RL halfback, a promising cricketer and in later years an exceptional golfer. He boasted a handicap of 3 for many years. He humbly deflects the praise.

Mark says he’d love to stay in racing and hopes the right opportunity presents itself.      

Episode 402: Kevin Langby

I’ve had several requests for a podcast with Kevin Langby. Rather than try to explain he was on the show two years ago, let’s put him on again. Nothing’s changed. He’s still fighting fit on the Central Coast and still looking back on one of Sydney racing’s most distinguished careers. Kev begins by looking back on his initial apprenticeship to Max Wardle and a transfer to Dick Cornish- both in his hometown of Orange.

Kev remembers his father’s insistence that he transfer to a Sydney trainer. He was lucky to gain a start with the astute Fred Hood Snr, firstly at Mascot and later at Rosehill.

He recalls some early winners and the first good horse he got to ride.

The former jockey reflects on his time as stable jockey for Arthur Ward and a retainer he was offered by Sir Frank Packer.

Kevin says his association with Tommy Smith just “happened”. Not once did the legendary trainer verbally confirm the arrangement.

He talks of Smith’s attitude towards his stable riders, and his acceptance of defeat.

The 76 year old looks back on the trauma of losing his father in an industrial accident.

The former great jockey remembers his Golden Slipper trilogy.

He talks of his much publicised premiership battle with Peter Cook in the 1972/73 season and the reaction of racing bosses to his trademark shoulder length hair.

Kev speaks affectionately of Sharon, his daughter from his first marriage to Patti. He pays tribute to Sharon’s achievements as a trainer, and to his granddaughter Tiffany Jeffries who forged a productive riding career in western NSW.

He reflects on his second marriage to Lyn with whom he had daughters Christie and Candice and his only son Jason who was born with a heart defect. Kevin says doctors gave him only months to live. The courageous little boy got close to his tenth birthday.

Kevin looks back on two years as a stipendiary steward and a short stint as stable foreman to trainer Gordon Benson at Gosford.

Older racing fans will enjoy Kev’s reminiscences about three wonderful horses - Imagele, Gunsynd and Rising Prince.

He talks of his experiences as a bus driver, and the cancer scare he received thirteen years ago. He’s got some advice for men who don’t like doctors. A nostalgic chat with a riding legend of the 1970’s and 80’s.

Episode 401: Anna Roper

She’s disappointed, frustrated and very bored. Anna Roper still can’t believe a freak accident at Muswellbrook in November has halted an amazing trot that brought her 56 wins in seven months.

She talks of the accident that stirred up an old injury.

Like most horse people, Anna couldn’t believe that a horse would buck after having galloped 1450m.

The young jockey reflects on the soccer injury that damaged her right knee in the first place.

She says she became a couch potato during a long recovery.

Anna talks of her earliest involvement with horses following in the footsteps of two older sisters.

She looks back on some satisfying achievements in the dressage and eventing pursuits.

Anna admits she muddled her way through early schooling but got serious when the HSC approached.

She says her early intentions were to seek a career as a veterinary nurse, but all of that changed when she started riding trackwork for Gosford trainer Greg McFarlane.

Later she sought and was given an apprenticeship by Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley.

Anna looks back on the life changing day when trainer Tony Newing invited her to ride a horse at Gundagai. The horse won, and the national Sky Racing audience saw her infectious smile for the first time.

She takes us through the events of her special day.

Few junior riding careers have “taken off” as quickly. She talks of the amazing support she’s received from a wide range of trainers  and some of her favourite horses so far.

Anna says her boss Tracey Bartley is keeping her away from the city lest she burn up her allowance too quickly.

The young jockey talks of her reaction to being in front of James McDonald on the NSW premiership early in the season.

Anna acknowledges some of the assistance she’s received from other female jockeys.

She closes with a comment on the tedious months ahead.

 

Episode 400: Danielle Seib

I’m delighted to welcome Danielle Seib as the subject of our 400th episode since the website was launched in May of 2018. This interview was recorded before Danielle won her first race for new clients Champion Thoroughbreds at Wagga on Dec 23rd. The horse in question was Smokeshow who put a Class 3 field away in impressive fashion.

Danielle begins by talking about a brief stint as a Science teacher before going full time as a trainer.

She pays tribute to Assault’n’Bathory, the horse who kick started her training career. Danielle explains the unusual circumstances under which the gelding was purchased.

The trainer looks back on two TAB Highway wins with the slow maturing Assault’n’Bathory. She also gives Tudor Prince an honourable mention.

Danielle talks of a bargain basement buy from the popular Inglis Digital Online Auction.

She pays tribute to her partner Aaron, a member of a legendary harness racing family. Aaron also happens to be an outstanding farrier.

Danielle talks of her long time love of riding trackwork. She believes it helps her to monitor the characteristics of horses in her care. She acknowledges the efforts of her co trackwork riders.

She speaks highly of apprentice Hannah Williams who only recently relocated to Goulburn, accompanied by her partner Nick Heywood. Nick is a highly regarded jockey who’s currently getting over a leg injury.

Danielle speaks of the E-Tracker device she uses on many of her horses during trackwork. The trainer explains how it works.

She talks affectionately of her late father and valued mentor Lewis, who had an interesting background in the industry. She recalls her early aspirations to become a jockey. 

Danielle recalls with great sadness the sudden passing of her father who died just one month following the diagnosis of a brain tumor.

She pays tribute to mother Julie who still lives in the Hunter Valley but contributes significantly to the administration of her daughter’s training operation.

Danielle made a pledge to her father that she’d attain a qualification in a field of her choice in case a training career didn’t eventuate. She explains how she gained a valuable degree and put it to use as a Science teacher.

The trainer talks of the three yearlings she was commissioned to buy for a Hong Kong based owner. One of them has won five races in Hong Kong but recently returned to her stable.

Danielle gives punters a good pointer for the future prospects of Associate, a Star Witness 3YO who shows plenty of promise.

This is a laid back chat with a young lady who’s rapidly making her presence felt in the NSW training ranks.