John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
After 24 years in the employ of other trainers, Brad Widdup was coaxed into training in his own right as recently as 2017. Two years later he endured a setback that would have discouraged most horsemen in the same position. This man’s recovery has been spectacular. We begin by getting Brad’s reaction to his best season ever in 2021/2022.
He talks of a flying start in the new season.
Brad says his recent success has brought increased support to his Hawksbury operation.
This interview was recorded before Saturday’s Randwick meeting when stable star Icebath was unplaced in The Invitation after a hopeless start. Brad takes us through his remarkable journey with the classy mare.
Brad takes us back to early days in Albury when his father Pat was his greatest inspiration. Brad says his dad, who is still training a small team, is an outstanding all round horseman.
He recalls his introduction to Sydney racing when he gained a start with Warwick Farm trainer Rod Craig. He then talks about a succession of jobs with some outstanding horsemen. Brad could have applied for his licence much earlier, but chose to keep gaining experience.
Brad was working for Crown Lodge when word filtered through that Bob Ingham had decided to sell the entire operation to Sheikh Mohammed. He recalls the moment.
Brad looks back on the commencement of his own training career and acknowledges some of the horses who got him up and running.
He talks of his association with jockeys, and echoes the sentiments of most trainers who experience difficulty in securing the regular service of capable work riders.
Brad pays tribute to the training facilities offered by the Hawkesbury Race Club with special mention of the Polytrack.
He talks of his wife Milissa and three teenage children.
Brad had twenty four years of experience under the belt when he was cajoled into training horses in his own right. After a shaky start through no fault of his own, Widdup has bounced back in spectacular fashion.
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Punters and racing fans who follow southern districts racing are familiar with the name of Nick Souquet. The veteran jockey has been a fixture down south for all of his thirty years in the saddle. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Nick Souquet which was all the more reason to get him on the podcast for a chat about his successful career. Nick says he’s never met another person in Australia who goes by his surname.
He talks of his home base at Wodonga which enables him to ride in two states.
Nick says he’s able to control his weight when riding regular trackwork.
The veteran jockey speaks glowingly of the talents of Al bury trainer Mitchell Beer.
He talks of recent winning rides at prominent Victorian tracks.
Nick pays tribute to his wife Laura and three children whose ages range from 5 to 15. He acknowledges his wife’s riding career which finished after a nasty race fall.
The jockey looks back on childhood days growing up on the well known Coppabella Pastoral property near Tumbarumba.
He reflects on a chance meeting with legendary trainer Richard Freyer. Work experience led him to an apprenticeship with Freyer whose wise counsel proved invaluable.
Nick talks of the drastic measures he had to take during the pandemic. Border closures made his life a misery.
The jockey looks back on his very first win at Griffith in 1989 and a subsequent stable transfer to Adelaide where he worked for respected trainer Russell Cameron. He pays tribute to Cameron who died in 2019.
Nick had a great trot in SA riding 55 winners including several in the city. He acknowledges a couple of talented horses he got to ride.
He talks of an offer he had to join a top Sydney stable.
Nick talks of the good advice he received from Richard Freyer when he concluded his apprenticeship with plenty of money in the bank.
On coming out of his time Nick made the decision to stay in the bush. He says he’s never ridden a winner in Sydney.
Nick pays tribute to a handful of jockeys who were his inspirations in the impressionable years.
He looks back on the special horses who helped shape his career.
The jockey speaks of his close association with Queanbeyan’s Cleary family.
He talks of the job he took when his weight got out of hand last year.
Nick concludes by talking about his future plans.
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Punters and racing fans are familiar with the maroon, yellow and white silks of Mystery Downs, a company managed by Frank and Christine Cook. The Cooks share in the ownership of enough horses around Australia to warrant the services of twenty five trainers. Frank took over full time management of Mystery Downs after selling his chain of nursing homes in 2014. In previous years he’d been the state and federal President/Chairman of the Australian Nursing Home Association. He begins by talking about his part ownership in Everest contender Lost And Running.
Frank takes us back to childhood days in the Sydney suburb of Dundas where he and family would crowd around the radio to listen to the broadcast of trotting events. They devised a unique method of wagering.
He talks of his interest in harness racing and his regular attendance at the iconic Harold Park track.
Frank looks back on his job with the Department of Labour and National Service. He then had a stint with the Health Dept before receiving an offer to join the Aged Care Association’s management company. He was reluctant at first.
He looks back on a life changing conversation with a stranger during a business trip to the USA in 1986.
He says that conversation ledhim to the purchase of his first nursing home in the inner Sydney suburb of Enfield.
Frank talks of his marriage to Christine in 1990 and the rapid growth of his nursing home network. He talks of the high stress levels which influenced him to put his chain of eleven nursing homes on the market.
He looks back on his very first trip to the winner’s circle. His $5500 filly Warning Siren was second over the line in the Gimcrack Stakes, but Frank was in for a pleasant surprise. He got his first look inside a steward’s room.
Frank speaks fondly of a wonderful journey with the ever consistent galloper Hadaaf whose 15 wins and 17 placings netted $695,000. He won 12 city races.
He was equally fond of Preferment whose 5 wins and 5 placings netted $3.4 million in prize money. A Victoria Derby and Australian Cup highlighted a glittering big race record.
Frank takes us through the Fierce Impact story. The stallion was identified at the Tattersall’s Horses in Training Sale in the UK by Sydney trainer Matthew Smith. Frank and Christine joined the ownership group and enjoyed Fierce Impact’s three Gr 1 wins in Melbourne.
He and Christine have never forgotten the thrill of Lasqueti Spirit’s all the way win in the 2017 Victoria Oaks. It was the filly’s only win in 22 starts. Six placings helped to take her prize money tally to just under 1 million dollars. Frank recalls her indifferent form leading up to the Oaks.
Frank acknowledges two recent Gr 1 winning fillies Shout The Bar and Zougotcha.
He outlines the creation of he and Christine’s Mystery Downs operation.
Frank and Christine both use the maroon, yellow and white combination in their racing colours but with different designs. Frank says he started out with different colours but had them changed when he struggled to see them one misty day at Hawkesbury.
The high profile owner runs through the names of twenty five trainers currently employed by Mystery Downs.
Frank acknowledges a handful of trainers he’s been using for several years.
He mentions two worthy charities supported by Mystery Downs.
I’ve had Frank on the podcast shortlist for quite some time. Great to catch up with him at last.
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
With the Melbourne Cup only a month away the familiar trivia questions are starting to pop up in the pubs and clubs. One popular question is the one about the oldest person still living who has trained a Melbourne Cup winner. The answer of course is Mick Robins who won it twice with the great stayer Rain Lover in 1968 and 69. I’ve actually had a couple of recent emails requesting a podcast with the veteran trainer. The fact is I recorded an interview with Mick two and a half years ago, and he was a delight to talk to. Tell you what, why don’t we run it again at this special time of year. He begins by talking about his stint as an apprentice butcher in war time Broken Hill.
Mick looks back on his days below the surface of the earth helping to mine the silver, zinc and lead that would bring great prosperity to Broken Hill.
He talks of his early attraction to horses and a brief career as an amateur jockey.
Mick remembers gaining his first trainer’s licence and a horse called Sir Haydon who got him up and running.
The veteran recalls his move to Adelaide in the early 60’s and his dream job with champion trainer Graham Heagney. He spent eight years with Heagney who trained the champion Tobin Bronze at the time.
Mick reminisces about the lucky break that would change his life. When Graham Heagney decided to train in the USA Mick inherited 14 of his horses. One of them was Rain Lover.
The former trainer takes us through those two magical Melbourne Cup wins and shares some great stories from the era.
Mick acknowledges some other grand gallopers he got to train.
He talks of his late wife Valda whose long term illness saw them move to the warmer climate in WA.
Mick pays tribute to his great mate, the late Jim Johnson who rode Rain Lover in those memorable Cup wins.
The great horseman turned 92 a couple of months ago. He may have slowed down a little but he’s still very mobile, and amenable to a chat about his golden days on the turf. If you missed this podcast last time, here’s your opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with a man whose name is associated with a special feat in Melbourne Cup history.
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Nineteen years have passed since Stan Aitken called time on his successful riding career. The multiple Gr 1 winning jockey continued to work in the racing industry as a groundsman for the Ballarat Race Club until his retirement a few years ago. Stan clearly recalls his final ride in the Ararat Gold Cup of 2003. He talks of his decision to quit when opportunities dried up.
He looks back on his working years at the Ballarat racecourse.
Stan reflects on his childhood in the idyllic Tasmanian town of Penguin, and his earliest connection with horses.
He remembers his move to Victoria and an apprenticeship to local trainer Jack Whitelaw where he learned about life in a racing stable. After twelve months he transferred to Norm Creighton at Caulfield. His first race ride was on a horse destined for fame as a hurdler.
Stan looks back on the thrill of riding his first winner at Yarra Glen. His first city win was even more exciting. He made it a double on the day for good measure.
He explains yet another stable switch when Norm Creighton fell ill. His new master was Frank King who later became Melbourne’s answer to the legendary jockey tutor Theo Green.
Stan talks of Frank King’s reaction if other Caulfield trainers didn’t reward his input at trackwork. One of those disagreements got out of hand.
Aitken reflects on his two apprentice’s premiership victories.
He remembers his elation when the legendary Bart Cummings approached him to ride the champion three year old Taj Rossi in the Cox Plate of 1973.
Stan reviews his second Gr 1 win on Taj Rossi in the George Adams Mile at Flemington. He pays tribute to a remarkable horse, and reveals that Bart Cummings invited him to ride more work for the stable.
The former ace jockey elaborates on his association with iconic trainer Angus Armanasco and a special horse he got to ride in that era.
Stan talks of a Blue Diamond win on the Armansco trained Forina which resulted in a trip to Sydney for the Golden Slipper. During his stay he picked up a winning ride in the Todman Stakes for Bob Hoysted.
He looks back on a brief association with a smart horse called Karaman, and recalls his move to Ballarat at the invitation of trainer Ron Maund. He soon forged winning associations with other Ballarat trainers.
Stan looks back on his last taste of the spotlight with a horse called Spargo. He says he was only on board because nobody else wanted to ride the moody horse in trackwork or races.
He talks of daughters Renae and Paige. He was devastated when Renae died much too soon after contracting a brain tumor.
Stan pays tribute to his only son Tyler Donaldson-Aitken who rates among Melbourne’s best breakers and pre- training specialists. He talks of Tyler’s participation last year in a most unlikely horse race.
He acknowledges the deeds of two jockeys who had an impact on his career.
This is a laid back chat with a former jockey who competed with distinction alongside the best riders of his generation.
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Mark Newnham’s career story is one of a young bloke who held on to his dream like a dog with an old boot. From the first day his father took him to the races, young Newnham knew he wanted a future with horses. He says his passion has never waned.
Mark talks of the difficulties of running a dual operation at Randwick and Warwick Farm. He was relieved when more boxes became available at headquarters.
He reflects on his training statistics over the last two seasons.
Mark elaborates on the little known fact that his maternal grandfather Bert Condon was a successful jockey as far back as the 1920’s and 30’s.
He remembers with affection the many times he tagged along when his father, newspaper executive John Newnham was a regular at Sydney race meetings.
Mark recalls work experience with Bob Thomsen, a dream job as travelling foreman for Bart Cummings and an overseas stint when he rode work for some legendary horsemen.
He looks back on his first apprenticeship to Graeme Begg and a transfer to Ron Quinton. He remembers the thrill of his first winning ride and acknowledges a couple of nice horses he got to ride early days.
Mark talks of his years as Gai Waterhouse’s regular rider at the Saturday Kembla and Newcastle meetings. He recalls a winning ride in a maiden at Kembla on a future multiple Gr 1 winner.
He looks back on five productive years as assistant trainer to Gai.
Mark talks of the upheaval in his life when Tulloch Lodge was sold to Asian interests. As it turned out it simply expedited his long time plan to train in his own right.
He remembers the uncertain early days when he started out at Warwick Farm with just three horses. His first winner in 2016 came as a blissful relief.
Newnham acknowledges a few important early wins and the thrill of getting a stakes horse in Lanciato.
He looks back on a surprise Gr 2 win with a two year old who made it into the Slipper field.
Mark delights in the story of his very first Gr 1 success with Maid of Heaven who got beaten in a maiden just ten weeks before her thrilling win in the Spring Champion Stakes.
You can hear the admiration in the trainer’s voice when he speaks of his dual Gr 1 winner Shadow Hero.
Mark was devastated when Nakeeta Jane went amiss after just eight starts. One of her 3 wins was the Gr 1 Surround Stakes.
He pays tribute to a handful of favourites like Greysful Glamour, Big Parade, Marway, Harmony Rose, Splintex, and Quackerjack.
Mark assesses the prospects of a handful of promising horses he has in the stable currently.
He pays tribute to three talented apprentices who’ve come under his care in recent seasons.
It’s a laid back chat with the man who’s emerging as a successor to Theo Green and Ron Quinton as a mentor of jockeys.
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Racing historian Dennis Najim recently sent me audio recordings of some of Galilee’s memorable wins in Melbourne in the mid 1960’s. The NZ bred stayer dominated the Victorian Spring carnival of 1966 winning the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in dominant fashion.
The following autumn Galilee trounced his opposition in the Sydney Cup becoming the first horse to win the big treble in the same season- a distinction he still holds. The pigeon toed gelding with the suspect action was once described by jockey John Miller as an “express train”.
This tribute features race calls by legendary commentators Bill Collins, Bert Bryant and Ken Howard. Thanks to Dennis Najim and Supernova Sound we’re delighted to present a tribute to one of the best horses of his generation.
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
After a wonderfully successful decade training from his Murwillumbah base, Matt Dunn surprised a few people when he elected to open a metropolitan stable. The first negative was his ineligibility for the weekly TAB Highways which he’d dominated since their inception in 2015. Matt talks about the numbers in his Rosehill and Murwillumbah stables.
He acknowledges the contribution of Holly Julius who runs the northern operation. Matt talks of his frequent visits to the northern rivers.
The trainer talks of the easy access to many racetracks from the Murwillumbah stables. He lauds the vastly improved country prize money levels.
Matt trained under Gerald Ryan’s name for the first two years at Murwillumbah. He explains how the concept came about.
He admits he was sad to have to forfeit the right to run in the TAB Highways.
The talented trainer talks about a successful run enjoyed by the operation through the month of August.
Matt reflects on his childhood fascination with horses. He learned to ride at a Frenchs Forest riding school.
He looks back on a dual apprenticeship beginning at Warwick Farm and continuing at Port Macquarie.
Matt rode a respectable number of winners but is brutally honest when he rates his talents in the saddle.
He acknowledges a horse called Whiskey Decanter who played an important role in his early career. Matt rode the grey to a handful of wins before training him successfully.
Matt struggled to make ends meet as a bush trainer, and he actually walked away from racing. He returned to his family in Sydney and worked in his father’s earthmoving business.
He regenerated his training career on the Gold Coast and did well with average horses. This prompted Gerald Ryan to offer him the job of managing newly established Sydney stables. He spent eight years with the iconic trainer.
Matt reflects on one special horse he looked after during his time in the Ryan stables.
The young horseman got a massive shock when he told Gerald of his intentions to go it alone from a Murwillumbah base.
Matt talks of the young lady from Byron Bay who requested a job in the Murwillumbah stable. Keira is now his wife and business partner.
Dunn acknowledges some of his favourite horses beginning with Care To Think whose promising career was hindered by breathing issues.
He talks of a Country Championship Final win with Gracie Belle. He’s not allowed to contest the series nowadays.
Matt pays tribute to his good friend and bloodstock adviser Neil Jenkinson.
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
I caught up with John Wade at the recent Jockeys Reunion and the idea of a podcast immediately sprang to mind. He’s not the kind of bloke to talk about his many achievements in the saddle, but happily I was able to pin him down. John is now in his early 70’s, lives on the Gold Coast and works full time for a Pathology Company. He tells us more about the job and the enormous number of miles he travels every week.
John talks of early days at Newcastle following in the footsteps of his late father Bill, who dominated the Newcastle and Hunter riding ranks for many years. Bill won 13 Newcastle premierships.
He recalls one thrilling Newcastle premiership which went right down to the wire.
John recalls the Gunnedah barrier trial accident which terminated Bill’s career.
He talks of the unorthodox way in which he learned to ride, and his subsequent indentureship to a legendary Newcastle trainer.
John looks back on the predictable early career highlights- first race ride, first winner and first metropolitan winner.
He talks about a tempting offer he received from a high profile Sydney trainer. The thought of leaving Newcastle never entered his head.
The former brilliant jockey reflects on his only ride in a Melbourne Cup.
He looks back on the beginning of his association with the late Max Lees- a partnership which would lead to a wonderful experience for both jockey and trainer.
John takes us back to his earliest connection with Luskin Star and the amazing journey that was to follow. Some of his anecdotes about the super colt will give you a tingle down the spine.
He recalls his disappointment when Luskin Star was sold to a conglomerate of businessmen who had earmarked him for a stud future. He admits it was a tough time in his life.
Luskin Star was clearly the best he rode, but there were several other handy horses he got to ride in races. He profiles a number of them beginning with Razor Sharp.
John reflects on a trip to Queensland for the winter carnival with Victorian trainer Noel Kelly. He talks of the pick up ride at Ipswich which would result in a career ending accident.
He looks back on multiple operations and years of rehabilitation.
The former outstanding jockey reflects on a short but successful training stint.
John talks of his family of five and seven grandchildren.
Those of us who saw his spectacular sequence of wins on Luskin Star cherish some special memories. Great to catch up with a former jockey whose career finished much too early.
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Enjoy nothing more than heading “bush” for our podcast chats. This week we go to Big River Country to catch up with Grafton trainer Dwayne Schmidt who operates a twenty horse operation from Grafton. After a successful training stint in Queensland, Dwayne headed back to NSW when the track problems at Eagle Farm persisted. He admits he was sorry to leave Brisbane.
Dwayne says he strongly considered Ballina as a training base before settling on Grafton.
He has some nice things to say about the promising Alf’s Magic.
Durnstein produced a stunning maiden win at Grafton during the July carnival. Dwayne talks about the potential of this promising son of Exosphere.
Dwayne takes us back to his riding career which began with an apprenticeship to Leslie Picken when Canterbury was still a training base.
He still finds it hard to believe he actually rode his first winner on the hallowed turf of Royal Randwick.
Dwayne remembers a two horse track gallop at Canterbury which gave him almost as much satisfaction as a race win.
He talks of his return to the mid north coast and a new job with trainer Glen Hodge. He looks back on a great winning trot. He remembers the day his new boss expressed dissatisfaction with one of his rides.
Dwayne recalls his sole win on champion bush galloper Stop A Punch.
He looks back on the decision to quit the saddle when his health was suddenly threatened by wasting and the use of diuretics.
Dwayne looks back on his final day of race riding at Taree in 1995. His last ride was a winner which triggered a wave of emotion.
He looks back on nine years of training in Port Macquarie from the Glen Hodge stable. Then came a surprise invitation to become a private trainer on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Dwayne admits he was very lucky to find stabling at Eagle Farm. He talks of some very talented horses to pass through his Brisbane stables.
He pays tribute to daughters Priscilla and Cassie who both enjoyed successful riding careers. Cassie is now training in her own right, while Priscilla has forged a new career with Sky Thoroughbred Central alongside veteran presenter Gary Kliese.
Dwayne talks of the riding talents of 14 year old son Blake.
He acknowledges the support of his wife Tahlia whose talents as a trackwork rider play a major part in the continuing success of his Grafton stable. He and Tahlia are the parents of three year old Darby who has taken to the saddle with great enthusiasm.
Dwayne has helped to develop the talents of a string of top country jockeys. One of them is currently making a name for himself in the Brisbane riding ranks.
Dwayne has no doubt Grafton will be his home base for the rest of his training career.