John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Tuesday May 24, 2022
When Cliff Brown arrived in Singapore in 2008 equine virus had paralysed the racing industry in most parts of eastern Australia. It was nine months before Cliff was able to transport Aussie horses to his new training base. After a tardy start he went on to enjoy 13 fruitful years in Singapore. He talks of the endless Covid lockdown which brought him back to Australia last year.
Cliff looks back on a very satisfying thirteen years in a city he grew to love.
The trainer profiles some very talented horses he got to train in Singapore. There was one he didn’t train but admired greatly.
Cliff talks about The Inferno who won eight of his nine starts in Singapore before being flown to Melbourne where he won the McEwen Stakes before being narrowly beaten in the Gr 1 Moir. Those performances earned him an invitation into The Everest.
The fifty two year old horseman takes us back to his early years at Narbethong where his father bred a few horses.
Cliff says his dad Don wasn’t a hands on horseman but an expert on thoroughbred pedigrees.
He talks of a homebred called Average Game who sired two of his all time favourite horses.
Cliff pays tribute to Cheviot- his first Gr 1 winner.
He acknowledges the deeds of Tarnpir Lane with whom he won a Gr 1 Rosehill Guineas and a Gr 2 Memsie Stakes. He placed in several elite races. Cliff says he was an average trainer when he had Tarnpir Lane.
Cliff loved Markham, one of his three South Australian Derby winners and later destined to run third in a Melbourne Cup.
He profiles Blue Murder, yet another SA Derby winner.
Cliff talks of his Adelaide Cup success with The A Train. He admits it wasn’t a strong Cup but a Gr 1 is a Gr 1 anywhere, anytime.
He talks of his current base at Mornington and the excellent facilities available to local trainers.
Cliff talks of his children India (23), Harvey (20) and Felix (16) who spent a large part of their early years in Singapore.
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Tuesday May 17, 2022
James Heddo thought he was in need of a change of career direction when he resigned from the ATC Executive team in 2020. He found that. change in the hospitality industry, spending some 15 months as CEO of the Terrigal Bowling Club. He hadn’t factored in the withdrawal symptoms associated with leaving the racing industry after 33 years. Few were surprised when he was recently appointed as CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club. We talk to James about time away from the racetrack.
He talks of the rich history of racing in the Hawkesbury region, and the high profile Sydney trainers who are clamoring for stable accommodation.
James takes us back to the Doomben meeting he attended with his mother and siblings in 1978. He says the outing was the catalyst for his career in racing even though he was completely lost on the day.
He looks back on the special day a decade later when he started his new job as a racing assistant with the Sydney Turf Club. Part of the job was to attend Rosehill trackwork every morning. Some of his most cherished memories come from this era.
James nominates his favourite trainer, horse and jockey.
The experienced administrator recalls his move to Townsville after twelve years with the STC. He loved every minute of his five years in northern Queensland.
James looks back on the chance phone conversation that led him to an appointment as the CEO of the Bendigo Jockey Club. Again he cherished the experience.
A lover of the NSW Central Coast from an early age, James jumped at the opportunity to take over as CEO of the Gosford Race Club. He learned many other facets of race club administration over the next eight years.
With 28 years in race club administration under his belt, it was no surprise when James Heddo landed the role of Executive General Manager of Racing Services with the Australian Turf Club. James looks back on his five years with the relatively new race club.
James pays tribute to some special people who helped shape his career.
It’s a pleasant trip down memory lane with a man who’s made many friends in racing over more than three decades.
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
“He always seems to have a handy horse in the stable”, is an old racing adage which traditionally applies to smaller racing stables.
Steve Englebrecht has been one of those trainers for most of his forty year career. The semi retired horseman has only two horses in work currently, but both can gallop. He talks about his promising three year old filly Chilko Lake.
Steve talks about the filly’s sire Vancouver. Although a Golden Slipper winner himself, he seems to be producing horses who handle a middle distance effectively. He also explains the derivation of Chilko Lake’s name.
The trainer talks about early days in Muswellbrook and the influence of his parents Ron and Rita -both horse trainers. Steve pays tribute to the best horse he’s ever put a bridle on.
Steve recalls his move to Gosford and the Queensland horse who kick started his solo training career.
He looks back on his move to Warwick Farm and acknowledges the reliable horses who’ve kept his name to the fore over 25 years. Winning Hand, Irish Rort, Santiago Belle, Speedy Belle and Dottoressa were among his favourites.
Steve remembers his happy association with the genuine gelding Referral. The son of Dr. Grace won only one Gr 1 but raced with distinction at the elite level for most of his career.
He talks about the uncle and nephew duo who owned Referral. The uncle was Steve’s barber.
Steve pays tribute to his talented stable apprentice Craig Agnew, a lightweight jockey who rode for many of the top stables during his brief career.
He reflects on his Pago Pago Stakes win with Genius And Evil. He loved the horse and was disappointed when the owners accepted a big offer from Hong Kong interests.
Great to catch up with a member of a Hunter Valley racing dynasty.
Tuesday May 03, 2022
Tuesday May 03, 2022
Great to catch up with a very switched on trainer who has sailed past the 1000 career win tally. Joe explains that he discourages owners from keeping horses who are not paying their way.
He talks of his non racing family background and the early punting involvement that sparked his love of racing.
Joe talks about the Psychology Degree he embarked upon at Sydney University. His parents were displeased when he quit after the first year.
The trainer looks back on his invaluable four years as stable foreman for the master trainer John Size.
Joe reflects on his decision to go solo when John Size accepted an offer to train in Hong Kong.
He remembers his first training success at Wyong in 2001, and his initial city winner.
Joe profiles Red Oog, his first elite level horse and the first of his 14 Gr 1 wins.
The fifty year old has great affection for Vision And Power who came to him from Victoria with one win on his CV. He went on to win two Gr 1’s.
He pays tribute to an all time favourite Terravista, winner of 11 races including 2 Gr 1’s and $2.6 million. Joe loved this horse.
He acknowledges the talents of top mares Sacred Choice and Regal Cheer.
Joe speaks highly of last year’s Epsom winner Private Eye and his long time association with Proven Thoroughbreds. Stockman gets a good mention.
The trainer talks of another quality mare Steps In Time with whom he won the Gr 1 Coolmore Classic.
Joe pays tribute to several more of his favourite horses including the remarkable Destiny’s Kiss. He won 10 stakes races with the remarkable veteran. He acknowledges a successful association with Tricolours Racing and Syndication.
He pays an enormous tribute to his all time favourite Eduardo.
The whole story is riveting.
Joe admits he’s not a chaser of two year old talent, but he’s wrapped in one particular colt he has on the team.
He concludes with a tribute to family- wife Kylie, son Brave and daughters Alice and Charlie. Racing Manager Orla Pearl also gets the nod of approval from the boss. A laid back chat with one of Sydney’s most professional trainers.
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Sheila Laxon ONZM who’s now training in tandem with her partner John Symons on the Sunshine Coast.Welsh born Sheila was riding ponies on the family farm at age three, a precursor to a fascinating life with horses.
She begins by recalling her first meeting with John Symons when she brought Ethereal over for the 2001 Victorian spring carnival.
Sheila says John was training a pretty good two year old colt at the time who would go on to spectacular racetrack and stud success.
She talks of life on the Sunshine Coast and a Magic Millions Country Cup success.
Welsh born Sheila recalls her early childhood in Pontypridd where she learned to ride bareback.
She looks back on early experience with the Ted Long stables at Eltham and a subsequent job with John Dunlop at the Duke Of Norfolk’s famous Arundel training centre.
Sheila remembers her world trip at age 18 and her fascination with NZ racing.
On returning to NZ later she was able to gain an amateur jockey’s licence. She was a winner at her very first ride.
Sheila has never forgotten the first time she met Laurie Laxon. She wasn’t overly impressed.
Sheila talks of her marriage to Laurie and the arrival of a son and daughter. She was also step mother to Laurie’s two children from a previous marriage. Today she’s a grandmother nine times over.
She has vivid memories of the giant mare Empire Rose.
The talented horsewoman still shudders when she looks back on a sickening fall at Gisborne and the long road back.
On a more pleasant theme she recalls having the job of breaking in and educating Ethereal. She pleaded with owner Sir Peter Vela to allow her to train the future multiple Gr 1 winner.
Sheila recaps her exciting journey with Ethereal and pays tribute to jockey Scott Seamer.
She talks of the burgeoning relationship with John Symons and a horror accident at Macedon Lodge destined to put her in a wheelchair for many months.
Sheila nominates a few horses to watch from her current team.
This is a lovely trip down memory lane with Sheila Laxon who in 2002 was appointed an officer of the New Zealand Order Of Merit for her services to racing.
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Despite missing the first month of the current racing season, Brooke Stower finds herself in 15th spot on the NSW jockey’s premiership ladder with over three months to go. Brooke spent a full year on the sidelines after a freakish accident at Grafton in 2020. Her comeback has been one of the best racing stories in recent years. We talk to the Tamworth based jockey about the endless miles she travels to bush meetings.
The young jockey fondly remembers the winning double at Grafton last year which catapulted her back into the winner’s circle.
Brooke talks of her Toowoomba based family and their passion for the campdrafting sport. She also highlights the career of uncle Michael Boyce Jnr, a former jockey who won two races on a champion NZ galloper.
The twenty eight year old reflects on her apprenticeship to Toowoomba trainer Tony Sears.
She explains that Tony wasn’t the trainer of her very first winner. She had to drive seven hours to Cunnamulla to achieve that feat.
The jockey pays tribute to a couple of special horses she got to ride during her time with the Sears stable.
Brooke recalls her transfer to Rob Heathcote and a very productive twelve months with the leading stable.
During that time she won a race on Rocky King for trainer Tom Bourke. She still rates Rocky King the best she’s
ridden to date.
Brooke talks of her highly successful association with Moree trainer Peter Sinclair. They’ve had some great days together.
The hard working jockey reflects on the mounting yard spill which would result in an emergency flight to the Royal North Shore Spinal Unit and one long year out of the saddle.
Brooke looks back on the cumbersome devices she had to wear during her rehabilitation.
She looks back on the unexpected double at Grafton last September which would regenerate her career.
Brooke says she’s having trouble getting her head around the amazing run she’s had since returning to the saddle.
She talks of the top Sydney jockey who was her first role model, and the two female riders who’ve been her inspiration.
Female jockeys have taken their riding talents to another level in the past decade. Brooke Stower is among the best.
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
After a brief career as an apprentice jockey and an even briefer one in the harness racing sport, Kevin Kemp acquired his thoroughbred trainer’s license in1975. He worked another job for two years before focusing full time on a career which has taken him to the top bracket of Queensland’s training ranks.
Kev talks about a couple of his most recent winners Winter Rain and Mishani Mistress.
He mentions Alert And Ready and Ilikeit Iloveit two handy fillies who’ve each won 3 races at Toowoomba.
He speaks very highly of apprentice Montanna Savva who’s 2kgs claim is rapidly expiring.
Kevin reviews the dramatic improvement in Savva’s riding over twelve months.
He acknowledges Skye Bogenhuber, a five time Toowoomba premiership winner who helps him out at Clifford Park trackwork.
In 2012 Kevin moved into the stables previously occupied by the legendary Jim Atkins. He says he’s mindful of the part this property played in Toowoomba racing history.
He looks back on childhood days at Mitchell, 90kms from Roma and many fun filled days on his pony.
Kevin remembers his family’s move to Toowoomba in 1969 and a dramatic change of lifestyle. Schooling was not one of his favourite pastimes.
He looks back on his apprenticeship to Gold Coast trainer Bill Krafft and his fleeting career as a jockey.
Bill Krafft also trained a handful of harness horses. Kev says he took an instant liking to the standardbreds.
He reflects on a magical morning at Albion Park when he rode on the side of a gig behind one of Australia’s greatest ever pacers.
Kevin looks back on a brief career at the trots. His strike rate was pretty tidy.
He dismissed thoughts of going into harness racing and focused on a full time role as a trackwork rider on the Gold Coast. He makes special mention of a multiple Gr 1 winner he got to ride a few times.
Kevin talks of his return to Toowoomba and a job with trainer Norm McCallum. He acquired his own trainer’s licence and Norm was happy for him to keep a horse or two in the stable.
The trainer looks back on a chain of events which would launch his solo training career. Another local trainer retired, and two new horses suddenly turned up at the Kemp stables. Those horses won ten races between them.
Kevin reflects on his wonderful association with the late Stathi Katsidis who died in 2010 after a drug overdose. The brilliant young jockey was given a huge farewell in Toowoomba.
Kevin pays tribute to Tellem, a 16 time winner who remains one of his all time favourites.
He fondly remembers a lightning trip to Sydney with Winsome Dancer and a thrilling win at Rosehill.
Kev had a lot of time for Sold For Song, a dual Queensland stakes winner and a Gr 2 placegetter in Melbourne. She’s now at stud.
Kev has won 4 Weetwoods at Clifford Park. In winning the fourth he also supplied the quinella. He remembers that special day.
The experienced trainer acknowledges the deeds of a few nice horses he’s had the pleasure to train in recent years.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
John Hutchings was one of the most gifted country jockeys of his generation. Between the mid 1960’s and mid 1990’s John rode 1470 winners and won nine jockey’s apprenticeships, three of them while still an apprentice. Now in retirement at Grafton, he was happy to reminisce on the podcast. John says he’s not much heavier than he was at the end of his riding career.
He talks of his Grafton property and the lucerne crop he maintains to supply hay to local racing people.
John looks back on his brilliant riding career and rues his long term use of fluid pills and hunger suppressants.
The former champion jockey talks of his heart scare six years ago.
John pays tribute to his wife Julie, one of few female board members on Australian racing clubs.
He talks of the two sons who chose not to follow Dad into the racing industry.
“Hutcho” talks of his jockey brother Warren. They were both apprenticed to the same Grafton trainer. John remembers two protest hearings in which they were involved.
He pays tribute to his former master Ron Gosling, and recalls his very first win at Casino.
The former outstanding jockey recalls his heavy trackwork schedule in the early days of his career.
John pays tribute to the country jockey who most inspired him.
Every northern rivers jockey dreams of success in the Ramornie Hcp and the Grafton Cup. John won both. He talks firstly of his 1983 Cup win on Ward’s Mistake, and a Coffs Harbour Cup win on the same horse two years later.
He speaks with great fondness of the “bush marvel” Tiny’s Finito who won an astonishing 40 races. Hutchings rode him in 22 of those wins which included the Ramornie Hcp.
John says Tiny’s Finito had a few quirky habits. Sometimes his Glen Innes trainer couldn’t catch him in the paddock.
Most people assume Tiny’s Finito was the best horse Hutchings ever rode. His answer will “knock your socks off”.
He remembers Ted Russell, the popular racehorse owner who resurrected racing in Coffs Harbour after a long hiatus.
John reflects on the glory days of the Grafton July carnival when huge crowds and huge betting made it Australia’s biggest country racing festival.
He pays tribute to some handy bush horses he got to ride.
John looks back on an invitation to contest a two race series for international jockeys in the Philippines in 1993. He’s got a couple of funny stories from a memorable trip.
He rode for some talented country trainers during his long career. He singles one out for special mention.
John hasn’t forgotten his very first ride at Randwick. He was in awe of the famous riders he saw in the Randwick jockeys room. One of those jockeys rode at Grafton later and tried to prevent young Hutchings from making a dangerous move in a race.
He recalls a couple of offers from Sydney trainers who were keen to get him to Sydney.
John recalls the many injuries he suffered in thirty years of race riding and looks back on one of the worst falls in racing history. He was involved in the carnage.
He talks of his association with leading Grafton trainer John Shelton.
John remembers a neck and neck struggle he had with Gary Kliese in one NRRA premiership. It went right down to the wire.
Those who remember the golden career of Grafton’s John Hutchings will enjoy this stroll down memory lane.
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
As this podcast goes onto the website Chris Alford is closing in on an astonishing 7650 career wins which include 124 Gr 1’s. To put those figures into perspective we should look at the Australian riding record held by NSW jockey Robert Thompson who retired last year with a record of 4447 wins. He’d been riding for 48 years and was 63 years old when he quit the saddle. Chris Alford is approaching 54 and has been race driving for 38 years. When not at the races, the champion reinsman is working horses at home for his trainer wife Alison. He talks about their Bolinda training property.
Chris talks about the massive number of hours he’s spent on the road during his career.
He fondly remembers his late father Barry, a successful trainer and driver in his own right. Barry stood down from the driving duties when his son emerged as a budding talent.
Chris talks of his father’s battle with diabetes and his sad passing 16 years ago.
He talks of his early departure from school to pursue a career in harness racing.
The record breaking driver has never forgotten his first winning drive at Wangaratta and his initial metropolitan success.
Chris acknowledges several fellow drivers for whom he had special admiration and forecasts a bright future for a current Victorian youngster.
We set aside extra time for Alford’s tribute to the great Golden Reign who took the young driver to the big stage. Chris drove the great horse in 26 0f his 28 wins.
He remembers the highs and lows of his long association with the Noel Alexander/ Jayne Davies training team.
There’s only one horse Chris rates the equal of Golden Reign. In recent years he had the privilege to partner Lennytheshark in 32 of the great pacer’s 39 wins. “Lenny” was the horse to give Chris victory in a Miracle Mile- the race he was beginning to think he’d never win.
He pays a warm tribute to his all time favourite mare Tailamade Lombo. He won 35 races on the Makybe Diva of the harness world. He talks of owner breeder Mick Lombardo who kept coming up with talented horses.
An amazing horse called Mont Denver Gold came into the Alford stable at a time when Barrie’s health was deteriorating rapidly.The pacer was lowly assessed but was to make dramatic improvement. Chris talks of the joy Mont Denver Gold brought to his ailing Dad.
Some trots fans may be surprised with Alford’s very high rating of Blue Eagle.
Chris pays tribute to his favourite horse from the days of his successful association with the Stewart/Tonkin stable.
The champion driver is universally known as “The Puppet”. He talks of the derivation of that curious nickname.
Chris has always had great affection for the “square gaiters”. He acknowledges some of his all time favourite trotters.
He talks affectionately of family- wife Alison, daughter Katie and son Sam. Katie and Alison are “hooked” on horses. Sam can take ‘em or leave ‘em.
This is a wonderful chat with an Australian harness racing icon. He’s in reminiscent mood and as humble as ever.
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
We introduce a hard working Queensland jockey who more than holds his own in the fiercely competitive Brisbane riding ranks. Michael reflects on a milestone win at a recent Gold Coast meeting- his 700th since his riding career began under amazing circumstances.
Michael acknowledges the emergence of young trainer Indiana Turner who was in the winner’s circle for the first time.
The jockey says he had no idea about his upcoming career milestone until he heard other jockeys talking about a new on line service.
He says the Queensland riding ranks are as strong as they’ve been in years.
Michael takes us back to the day he bought his first car in Wollongong. He was attracted to some racing photos on the wall in the car dealer’s office.
He talks of his enrolment in a Racing NSW/Tafe course at Orange NSW.
Michael looks back on work experience with Dubbo trainer Peter Nestor and his initial indentureship to Wade and Doreen Slinkard at Hawkesbury.
He looks back on subsequent apprenticeships at Orange and Kembla Grange.
He says his first day as a professional jockey was a complete disaster.
Michael tells the story of his first winning ride. He noticed a jockey hadn’t been declared for a horse at a Sapphire Coast meeting. He rang for the ride and a dream came true.
The jockey outlines his next move- a “loan out” to Port Macquarie trainer Wayne Wilkes. He looks back on one disastrous ride. The horse won but Michael takes no credit.
He remembers the day he met Linda Parker at the Grafton races- a young lady who was destined to become his wife. Michael talks of his next move to Murwillumbah where his future father-in-law Col Parker was training a team of racehorses.
The jockey looks back on a Sunshine Coast win for the Parker stable which attracted the attention of trainer Pat Duff. Before he knew it Michael was working for Duff at his Deagon stables.
He speaks fondly of his final boss, the late Kelso Wood who he regarded as a master trainer and a great supporter.
The thirty four year old talks of his wife Linda and daughter Everly who’s coming up seven years of age.
Michael reflects on the thrill of winning a South East Queensland apprentice’s premiership in the 2009/2010 season.
He acknowledges the support of trainer David Vandyke and his great association with top filly Baccarat Baby.
Michael reflects on some talented horses he’s been lucky enough to ride in recent years.
He explains why he chooses to chase his own rides rather than use the services of a jockey manager.
Michael pays tribute to one of his Brisbane role models. It’s a nice chat with the jockey whose career was motivated by the photos on the wall at the Oak Flats car dealership.