John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Luke Pepper joins the ranks of smaller trainers who only need the right horse to showcase their talents. Until Opal Ridge came along Luke had been achieving consistent results with average horses. Suddenly he’s in the big league with last start stakes winner Opal Ridge, who’ll contest the Gr 3 P.J Bell Stakes on Saturday.
We go right back to Luke’s early days in pony club and the wide experience he gained before taking out his own trainer’s licence.
Luke begins by talking about his reasons for relocating from Canberra to Scone in the middle of last year.
He has high praise for the facilities offered by the Scone Race Club and speaks of the multi million dollar stabling complex already under construction.
Luke talks of Opal Ridge’s purchase from the Inglis Classic Sale at a bargain basement price.
He talks of the amazing attitude displayed by the young filly as far back as the breaking in stage.
Luke talks of her amazing growth spurt and the ease of her first win. He wasn’t quite as buoyant the morning after her Canberra success.
He takes us through her eight start racing career right up to the Darby Munro Stakes on Slipper day.
Luke heaps praise on young jockey Tyler Schiller, Opal Ridge’s regular rider. The trainer says his talents were obvious in the Riverina.
Luke’s talks of his introduction to thoroughbreds during his time at Meringo Stud on the NSW South Coast.
He talks of the foal born at Meringo destined to become a world class sprinter.
Luke looks back on his time with Canberra trainer Barbara Joseph who’d already made her mark at Gr 1 level. He remembers with affection Barbara’s top mare Ain’t Seen Nothin’.
He looks back on a short but successful stint as an amateur jockey.
Luke talks of his time as stable foreman for Nick Olive and his reconnection with the special foal born on the Meringo Stud.
He looks back on two memorable overseas trips he had with Takeover Target- one was a career highlight, the other a disaster.
Luke talks of his entry into professional training at Thoroughbred Park. He talks of his unforgettable first win, and the horses who have helped to establish him as a well respected trainer.
Luke acknowledges the support of partner Tahnee who landed the job she wanted soon after arriving in Scone.
The trainer tells the story of the surprise yearling he stumbled upon in a Tasmanian sales catalogue last year. That horse is now in his Scone stable.
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
The fate of retired racehorses has never been under more scrutiny, and Jo McKinnon couldn’t be happier. The respected media contributor recently launched her own website designed to monitor the post competitive lives of thoroughbreds and performance horses. Jo joins us to talk about the creation of “offthetrackhorses.com.au” and to look back on her own exciting life in media and in the racing industry. She talks of the origins of her independent on-line platform.
Jo outlines her ideas for regular content on the site.
She acknowledges the support of some special behind-the-scenes people.
The talented media veteran takes us back to her very first job with the Herald and Weekly Times and the thrilling scholarship win that got her there.
Jo talks of her duties with the major Melbourne newspaper.
She looks back on her exciting transition into television as a sports reporter with Network Ten in Melbourne. She was on her way.
Horse loving Jo was thrilled to join the team being assembled for Sky’s history making home racing channel. She was the first female presenter to be seen on the satellite coverage. Today there are many.
She reviews the many roles she filled in the early days of the burgeoning media giant.
Jo talks of a sea change and a return to her hometown of Melbourne. She landed a plum role with the Moonee Valley Racing Club.
She recalls an enjoyable stint as Marketing Manager for Aushorse which was in the process of rebranding. The role took her to Asia several times.
Jo looks back on a brief association with the Nine Network and a return to Sky Racing. This time around she was chief anchor for the popular Sunday morning programme Racing Retro.
True to form the versatile personality felt the need for a change of direction. Before she knew it, Jo was working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a presenter at Happy Valley and Sha Tin.
While in HK Jo’s ability to adapt to different roles landed her a job as “food writer” for the famous Tasting Kitchen magazine.
Back in Australia in 2014 she landed a role with the VRC as head of PR for the famous spring carnival.
Jo looks back on enjoyable stints with Racing.Com and Equestrian Australia.
Perhaps the most rewarding of her many accomplishments was the creation of a documentary with brother Lachie as her co- producer. Jo looks back on the five episode series called “A Racetrack Somewhere” which received excellent reviews.
The talented McKinnon talks of her involvement in racehorse ownership. She part owned a pretty smart mare a few years ago.
Jo talks of her participation in a recent RSN programme called Talking Horses, and her current role as guest columnist for the on-line publication ANZ Bloodstock News.
Fast forward to 2023 and a new life on a 3500 acre property at Quirindi with her partner Andrew Talbot. Jo talks of Andrew’s long time association with Elders Ltd. He manages the famous Killara Feed Lot operation from the Quirindi property.
She says an invitation to join the committee of the Quirindi Jockey Club proved impossible to decline.
It’s a laid back chat with a lady who’s just as comfortable astride a show horse as she is in front of a television camera.
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Gary Kliese recently suggested I organise a chat with Grafton based jockey Matt McGuren.
Gary was full of praise for McGuren’s talents and assured me that the jockey’s life story was great podcast material. Matt was more than happy to participate even though he was feeling pretty frustrated by the outcome of what appeared to be an insignificant accident a few days earlier. He looks back on his barrier trial mishap at Ballina.
He says he decided to ride at the Grafton meeting the following day even though he suspected a fracture in the ankle. A winning ride helped ease the pain.
Matt talks of his prognosis, and his inability to ride trackwork for his wife Samantha who trains a thirteen horse team at Grafton.
He talks of Samantha’s accident with a camp drafter three months ago and her resultant surgery.
The thirty two year old explains how he and Samantha manage to handle a team of racehorses every morning and cater for the needs of two young daughters. They’ve got it down to a fine art.
He says there’s little doubt both girls have a natural affinity with horses.
Matt talks of Samantha’s gravitation to horse training, and the unexpected support she’s had from owners.
He talks of the very handy horse who’s given Samantha’s training career a welcome boost.
Matt looks back on his wife’s notable riding career.
He talks about his early involvement in bronc and bull riding and a transition to thoroughbreds.
The young horseman remembers the days when he was riding trackwork before school.
Matt saw the benefit in attaining a trade. He’s a pretty handy floor and wall tiler.
He pays tribute to his late master and mentor Allan Ryan.
The in demand jockey talks of his constant struggle with weight.
Matt recalls his first winner and the amazing run he enjoyed in the early years of his apprenticeship.
He pays tribute to his late father Gerry who died prematurely in 2012.
Matt talks of a successful partnership with Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill. He gained the support of several Queensland trainers.
He pays tribute to a few special horses to give his career a kick along.
He speaks fondly of the 50 acre property he and Samantha acquired in 2015. He says it’s a heaven for horses and humans.
Matt acknowledges the support of the many trainers to offer support with special mention of his great supporter Matt Dunn.
Gary Kliese was right. Matt’s a great bloke to have a yarn with.
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
It’s fair to say that Sunline’s constant companion Claire Bird became almost as well known as the great mare herself. The petite blonde accompanied Sunline on one trip to Dubai, twice to Hong Kong and nine times to Australia. She endeared herself to racing administrators and to the media at large. When Sunline left the racing scene Claire opted for a future in Australia. She has capably filled several roles in the racing industry and media, and is currently enjoying her time on the Tony Gollan administrative team. She says she quickly put her hand up when the job became available.
Claire talks of a work schedule which includes a supervisory role with Gollan’s Gold Coast Saturday runners.
She acknowledges partner, former successful Kiwi trainer Shane Marr.
Claire reviews the interesting jobs she’s held since settling in Australia twenty years ago- Her employers include Racing Victoria, TVN television, Nine Network, Gerry Harvey Racing Management, a horse transport company and most recently Tony Gollan Racing.
She takes us back to childhood days in Palmerston North and speaks affectionately of her parents and siblings.
Claire says she wasn’t attracted to normal horse pursuits like pony club or the show ring. She went straight into Malcolm Smith’s Awapuni racing stables.
She talks of her tuition in riding trackwork. One of her advisers was a jockey who’d made a name for himself in Australia.
The horse loving Bird talks of the only job she ever had that didn’t involve horses.
Claire says her job with the Trevor McKee stable was the result of a chance golf course conversation between her stepfather and McKee’s son Steve.
She recalls two stabling barns on the McKee property. Sunline was originally housed in the barn reserved for problem horses. When her ability came to light she was quickly moved across the road. Claire formed an attachment to the quirky mare.
Claire talks of the great mare’s fashionable pedigree and her early career at home.
She recalls Sunline’s very first trip to Sydney and the impact the filly had on crowds and media.
Claire talks of the special wins that still reduce her to tears.
She speaks highly of jockey Greg Childs who won 11 Gr 1’s on the champion.
She recalls the bittersweet experience of Sunline’s trip to the United Arab Emirates for the Duty Free Stakes. Immediately after the race she was deeply upset by persistent rumours of Sunline’s sale to new owners.
Much has been written about Sunline’s unpleasant disposition. Claire talks of her experiences with the strong willed thoroughbred.
Claire talks of the numerous honours accorded the remarkable Kiwi mare.
She looks back on the occasion of Sunline’s racetrack swansong in the 2002 Cox Plate. She promised family and friends she would refrain from crying.
Claire talks of Sunline’s unspectacular stud career, and her battle with laminitis. She recalls the fateful phone call from Steve McKee bringing her the news she’d been dreading.
This isn’t the first time Claire has been asked to compare her champion with the great Aussie mare Winx.
A wonderful trip down memory lane with the lady who knew Sunline better than anyone else.
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
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.
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
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.
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
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.
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
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.
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
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.
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
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.