John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
We’re delighted to present a podcast with a young Welshman who took NSW racing by the seat of its pants last season and turned it upside down. Ashley Morgan arrived in a strange country unheralded and unsung in 2018 and with the help of a prominent Scone trainer began to ply his trade. Last season he was crowned NSW champion jockey. We begin by talking to Ashley about his quick return to the UK recently for the christening of his young daughter.
The Welsh born jockey talks of the trackwork he rode while overseas to ensure his weight remained in check. He was thrilled to be given a few race rides in England and the USA.
Ashley takes us back to childhood days in Wales and his early riding experience on his grandfather’s hunters and point to point horses.
He talks of work experience in Somerset and his apprenticeship to Mark Tompkins at Newmarket. He later transferred to Ed Dunlop, a trainer well known in Australia.
After riding around 70 winners he lost his focus on race riding and sought employment in London. In fact he tried two jobs.
When Ashley contemplated a return to the saddle he was horrified to discover his weight had soared to 68kgs. He talks of his dedication to losing enough weight to resume race riding.
The premiership winning jockey reflects on the twelve emails he sent off to Australian trainers. To his amazement a well known Scone trainer asked him to call.
Ashley says local trainers were very wary of this Welsh jockey for the first couple of months. He looks back on a disastrous introduction to Australian racing and the unexpected thrill of his first winner on Aussie soil.
He fondly revisits his first ever winning treble at Muswellbrook. He says this was the day he arrived in Australian racing.
Ashley talks of a bush trainer who gave him a big helping hand, and a gradual turnaround from Hunter Valley stables.
He remembers the moment when he sensed a premiership win was on the cards. He gives great credit to his manager.
Ashley says his loyalty to country clients keeps him away from the city. He recalls his first metro win on Pandora Blue at Randwick.
He runs through a few feature races he’s been able to win since arriving in NSW.
The jockey reflects on his chance meeting with partner Kara who was working on a Hunter Valley Stud. He tells us more about his little “Aussie” daughter River.
Ashley looks back on the heartache he suffered when covid travel restrictions kept him away from the funerals of three loved ones back home.
He acknowledges a very nice mare he got to ride during the season.
Ashley outlines his trackwork schedules.
He reveals there was an offer from a Newmarket trainer should he wish to return to the UK.
It’s a laid back chat with a hard working Welshman who has no intention of regenerating his career as a real estate salesman.
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
We catch up with the founder and CEO of the respected racehorse syndication company Proven Thoroughbreds. This interview was recorded before Private Eye’s unplaced effort in the Champions Mile. Jamie Walter recalls the heart stopping moments when Private Eye hit the front a few strides from home in The Everest. He relives the excitement of the occasion.
Jamie pays tribute to a very special horse and to Joe Pride, the trainer who has taken Private Eye to ten wins and $6 million.
Jamie Walter talks about his childhood at Mudgee and an early association with horses.
He talks of his fascination with radio and early announcing jobs on western districts stations.
Jamie remembers a surprise offer from 2UW, at the time a very popular Sydney station.
He talks of an overseas adventure which saw him work in racing stables in the USA and England. There were a few unlikely jobs in between.
On returning to Sydney he assisted brother Guy who’d set up shop at Warwick Farm. At the same time Jamie picked up freelance work as a “voice over” talent on radio commercials.
He talks of a complete change of direction- a move to the Sydney Futures Exchange. He spent ten years in the industry.
Jamie looks back on a brief gig with 2GB which had been purchased by John Singleton. His versatility again shone through, as he tried his hand as an NRL commentator.
He looks back on the creation of Proven Thoroughbreds and the spare job he tried as he waited for accreditation.
Jamie talks of the early days of Proven Thoroughbreds when he concentrated on the purchase and syndication of tried racehorses. Hence the company name.
He pays tribute to the two trainers who operate his Queensland stable. Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted have done an outstanding job for the operation.
Jamie acknowledges some of the talented horses who’ve helped establish Proven Thoroughbreds.
This podcast would not be complete without Jamie’s tribute to his late brother Guy who died suddenly in 2014.
He pays tribute to sons Tom, Sam and Harry.
It’s a good yarn with a bloke who has crammed two lifetimes into one.
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Who better to join us at Melbourne Cup time than former jockey Larry Olsen who joined the chosen few when he won the 1987 Cup on Kensei. A couple of years earlier Larry was dairy farming at Kyogle and his weight had soared to 80kgs.
The popular jockey’s spectacular comeback made headlines around the world. He looks back on a life changing win.
Larry remembers how his association with Kensei began.
He takes us through the races leading up to the Cup triumph including a win in the Grafton Cup- one of the jockey’s favourite races.
He relives the dream run that helped Kensei to snatch victory from a Cummings duo.
Larry recalls that Kensei never won another race.
He talks of his bittersweet memories of the day. Stewards grilled him over another ride on the programme which landed him in the worst kind of trouble.
Larry takes us back to the days of his apprenticeship to Mal Barnes in Queensland. He explains that his very first race ride was in Sydney.
In 1972 a horse called Triton came into his life at a time when his career was flagging. He looks back on two elite wins aboard the horse with “shelly feet”.
Many racing men have forgotten that Larry Olsen won six races on Gunsynd before the horse went to Tommy Smith. Larry remembers the budding champion who later thrilled Australian racing fans under the popular nickname of the “Goondiwindi Grey”.
The former talented jockey joined an elite group of riders to win a Melbourne Cup and a Golden Slipper in the same season. He looks back on his one and only ride on Star Watch.
Larry talks of the “flat spot” he hit in 1981 when the rigours of the sweat box were getting him down. Along came one of the best horses he ever got to ride. He pays tribute to Best Western.
He recalls a brief association with the marvellous veteran Battle Heights- a second in the Caulfield Cup and a freakish mishap in the Melbourne Cup.
Larry clearly recalls the exact moment when he knew his life as a jockey was over.
The popular horseman talks of his happy 16 years as a Sky Racing presenter. He became one of the voices of Queensland racing.
There’s little doubt a lighter Larry Olsen would have reached dizzy heights in the Australian riding ranks. Still 1000 wins and 24 Gr 1’s ain’t bad. He shares some special memories with us, thirty five years after his Cup triumph.
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.