John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
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.
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Great to catch up with Bill Prain who called it quits in 2018 when his great friend and valued client Fred Peisah succumbed to illness. Bill had been adamant for some time that he’d retire if ever Fred left the racing industry. He talks of Peisah’s unwavering loyalty over three decades.
Now in retirement on the Gold Coast, Bill says he’s still an avid race watcher.
He talks of childhood days in Parramatta, and the nickname bestowed upon him by his mother- a nickname he’s never been able to shake.
Bill talks of his father Col, a former bush jockey in Queensland. Prain Snr had always hoped one of the family would follow in his footsteps.
Bill remembers his original apprenticeship to Vic Thompson Snr at Rosehill. The tiny apprentice became disillusioned after two years and looked for a change of stables. You won’t believe the luck that came his way.
Twelve months later Bill had his first race ride at Gosford. He had the race won won two strides from home.
Just when he was thinking he’d never ride a winner, Prain was given an opportunity by trainer Tom Kennedy. Not many apprentices win their first race at a Sydney metropolitan Saturday meeting.
Bill talks of the first metropolitan winner he rode for his boss Theo Green. Some time later he got to “strap” the same horse when several overseas jockeys rode in an international event at Rosehill. Colisee Star won the race for an Italian jockey with a famous name.
Bill talks of his wonderful association with Hawkesbury trainer, the late Tom Sewell. He recalls the heady days when he would accompany Sewell to country carnivals with a truckload of horses. They had some good times.
He hasn’t forgotten one unforgettable day at Wyong when Sewell had three runners for three winners. Bill was rewarded with the biggest “sling” of his racing career.
Bill talks of his marriage to Julie Herford in 1980 and a move to Wagga where he regenerated his riding career. He received tremendous support and was riding winners all over the region when the unthinkable happened. He was outed for twelve months on a “running and handling” charge at Bathurst. His unblemished record saw it cut in half.
He talks of his last winning ride at Randwick in 1987, and a change of direction. He went to work for a while in the hospitality industry.
Bill talks of his return to racing as stable foreman for Bernie Kelly who had just started as private trainer to Fred Peisah at Warwick Farm. Soon after Bill was stunned when offered the trainer’s role following Kelly’s sudden resignation.
The popular horseman talks of Fred’s Lomar Park Stud at Werombi where he stood a succession of successful stallions. Bill got to train many of the progeny of those stallions.
Bill reflects on a few of the special horses to race under the Lomar Park banner, with special acknowledgement of the bonny filly Moment’s Pleasure. A shocking draw hindered her chances in the Golden Slipper.
He talks of a valued association with a very young Corey Brown.
Bill remembers another brilliant little filly called Regal Chamber who won the Magic Night Stakes before running a “blinder” for third in the Golden Slipper. Like Moment’s Pleasure she was disadvantaged by a horror draw.
During this era Billy chose to ignore some ominous symptoms of impending ill health. Dragged to the Doctor by wife Julie, he was stunned to learn that he had colon cancer. The disease had already spread to other areas. Emergency surgery arrested the immediate problem but he wasn’t out of the woods yet.
Bill has a stern message to anybody who might choose to ignore tell tale symptoms.
He talks of the ongoing ordeal of chemotherapy injections.
Now 71 years of age and twenty five years after his initial diagnosis, Billy Prain realises he’s one of the lucky ones. He acknowledges the tremendous support of Julie and his three daughters during the dark days of his illness.
The popular horseman talks of his three special daughters and the grandchildren who address him by the nickname he was given by his mother all those years ago. It was a delight to catch up with Billy Prain.
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
With the 2022 Inglis Easter Sale upon us we thought it timely to chat with long time vendor John Muir. The former high profile car dealer runs Milburn Creek, a boutique breeding farm at Wildes Meadow on the Southern Highlands. John begins by talking about the 2018 sale of the landmark Muir’s Motors dealership on Parramatta Rd. Ashfield.
John reveals that his late father Les Muir had predicted the intrusion of an underground road link.
He talks of his father’s early connection with General Motors Holden which in the 1950’s commanded a major percentage of the Sydney car market.
John looks back on childhood days in a house situated right on the car yard.
He recalls teaching himself to ride on an uncle’s pony. Later he got to ride a pony owned by a Randwick horse trainer who didn’t think much of his style in the saddle. He talks of an early work experience stint with a legendary horse trainer.
John predictably joined Muir’s Motors but got no favours. He remembers some of the thankless jobs his father gave him to do.
He was 18 when Les Muir helped him to launch his own dealership just up the road at Fivedock. Looking for a different niche in the Sydney market, John dealt in imported American cars only.
He eventually made a modest entry into the horse breeding business. He talks of the very first broodmare he ever purchased.
John clearly remembers his second mare purchase under very unusual circumstances. He bought a pregnant mare called Safest whose filly foal would become one of his foundation matrons. He later sold a colt from Safest destined to become his first Randwick winner as a breeder. That colt later came back into his life.
He talks of his first breeding farm situated on Milburn Creek near Cowra. His commercial thoroughbred enterprise has carried the name of that creek ever since.
John talks of his move closer to Sydney in 1986. He transformed a run down Grose Vale dairy farm into a state of the art horse breeding property. It was around this time he bought a well bred filly as a potential broodmare. He decided to race Chez Paree for a couple of years with great results.
He recalls his purchase Old Fernbrook Farm at Wildes Meadow in 2000 as the site of his new breeding base. He later added two adjacent properties which have enabled him to expand the operation.
John acknowledges a number of Milburn Creek graduates who’ve gone on to notable racetrack achievements.
The respected breeder relates the fascinating story of the weanling filly he bought with the intention of reselling her the following year. He got “left” with the daughter of Dubawi. John raced Secret Admirer himself with stunning results.
He talks of the Dundeel colt out of Secret Admirer who’ll be one of his nine horse draft at the Inglis Easter sale.
John makes mention of another eight yearlings to be offered for sale under the Milburn Creek banner.
He talks of a long and happy association with Inglis. He regards this year’s catalogue as one of the best he’s seen.
John closes with tributes to wife Trish, son Matthew, daughters Meredith and Amelia and seven grandchildren. A laid back chat with one of racing’s good guys.
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Great to catch up with Robert Morris, one of Australia’s busiest harness racing drivers. The thirty year old has driven 100 winners or more on NSW tracks for the past ten seasons.
Rob’s wife Kerry Ann trains a 50 horse team at Menangle, and is already a two time premiership winner. She takes her horses where they have the best chance of earning prize money. Robert talks of his role as Kerry Ann’s stable driver.
He explains his duties in the day to day running of the successful stable.
Rob’s been around the money many times on the premiership ladder. He believes his time will come.
He pays tribute to the training and driving talents of his wife.
The young reinsman looks back on his upbringing in the harness racing sport, and the influence of his father Peter Morris. He says he was intimidated by Peter’s reputation as one of the best drivers of his generation.
Rob’s mother Margaret gets the acknowledgement she so richly deserves.
Young Morris speaks glowingly of son Archie (6) and daughter Stella (11 months). He says Archie is already obsessed with horses.
Rob has never forgotten his first winning drive at Penrith in 2008. He says his mother was very vocal in the grandstand.
Early in his career Rob received great support from Menangle trainers. He pays a special tribute to David Wilkins who got him up and going with a cranky filly called Bonnie Mahoney.
He’s never forgotten his first Harold Park win on the Wilkins trained Virage. He says a Harold Park win meant the world to up and coming young drivers.
Rob looks back on a memorable day at Menangle when he was just 18 years old. He drove four winners including two Gr 1’s.
He reflects on another Gr 1 win on Blissfull Guy at Menangle in 2012. He lost this one in the steward’s room.
Predictably he sings the praises of the evergreen Karloo Mick, the horse he rates as the best he’s driven. He drove the veteran into second place in a Miracle Mile. Rob says he had a few quirks but was competitive in the best company.
Rob looks back on the serious ankle injury sustained in a Penrith fall. He was on the sidelines for many months.
A nice yarn with a young bloke who’s going to be among Sydney’s best drivers for a long time to come.
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
When Colin Little walked away from his Caulfield training base late last year, he knew that retirement wasn’t too far away. He intended to keep training at Pakenham in the immediate future, but an ironic twist of fate intervened. Early in March he made the snap decision to relinquish his licence. He joins us on the podcast to explain the reason for his hasty departure.
Colin talks of his attachment to Caulfield where he was born, and would spend his entire racing life.
He reflects on the riding career of his jockey father Bill Little, who was one of many Australian jockeys to ride in India in the 1930’s and 40’s.
He looks back on his own original apprenticeship to Rod Turvey and a subsequent transfer to a former champion jockey who was getting his training career under way in Melbourne.
Col admits his riding career was brief and unspectacular.
He pays tribute to the legendary Caulfield trained racehorse Lord who dominated weight for age racing in Melbourne in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Caulfield track regulars were in awe of him.
Col’s training career started on a hobby basis. He would work a horse or two at first light before dashing off to his day job.
He vividly remembers the thrill of training his first winner at Traralgon. It was a mare with a masculine name. In winning his first metropolitan race, he helped a famous jockey to win a premiership.
You can hear the admiration in Col’s voice when he talks of Testimony- the horse who launched his training career. Testimony won an amazing 13 city races.The horse was part owned by Joan Herman who became a very valued client for the Little stable.
Colin pays tribute to his late wife Jacqui who died much too soon. He says Jacqui’s artistic touch enabled them to renovate an old Caulfield home which nowadays has heritage listing.
The retired trainer pays a fitting tribute to his once in a lifetime horse El Segundo. He takes us through the ups and downs in the career of a horse whose four Gr 1 wins includes a W.S. Cox Plate in 2007.
Col reflects on the veteran stayer who arrived at his place from Adelaide. Ista Kareem raced on for another two and a half years in Colin’s care winning 6 races including a Sydney Cup.
He talks of Blutigeroo, another second hand horse with whom he’d win the Gr 1 BMW at Rosehill. He picked up a Hobart Cup along the way.
Colin pays tribute to some of the brilliant jockeys who rode for the stable over the years.
He says he’ll be closely monitoring the career of one of his favourites Vassilator. Col won five races with the chestnut, all at Flemington. He sent the horse to Lisa Jones at Somerville when he made the call to retire.
It’s a farewell chat with the man they once called “Mr Caulfield.”