John Tapp Racing

Episode 341: Graham McNeice

In keeping with our nostalgia format over the holiday break, here comes one of our favourite podcasts from 2019 with much loved Sydney media icon Graham McNeice. At the time this interview was recorded, Shadow had just finished his latest documentary The Masters Apprentice- the career of legendary jockey mentor Theo Green. He says the doco had been twenty years in the making.

Graham explains how a copy of The Masters Apprentice can be accessed from the website.

The man’s famous nickname The Shadow is universally known around the industry. Not everybody knows how he got the tag. Graham explains.

He looks back on his early life as one of six children growing up in the inner city suburb of Croydon Park where his father Syd had a butcher’s shop. Syd hoped Graham would follow in his footsteps.

Syd and Marion operated another flourishing little business within the confines of the shop. 

Graham talks about his father’s friendship with Frank Kennedy who was a prominent figure in the Sydney fight game. Frank later began calling greyhound racing for 2KA Katoomba and took young McNeice under his wing. That led Frank to a job calling the dogs for 2UE and Graham tagged along.

Before long Graham was appointed full time understudy to 2UE race caller Des Hoysted. He’d call a race or two at the midweek gallops, and fill in whenever Des was unavailable.

Shadow still dines out on a funny story involving his trip to the 1973 Bong Bong Cup. He talks of his involvement with the popular Ch 7 Sunday program Punters Post Mortem.

He remembers with deep sadness the loss of his great friend and mentor Frank Kennedy in the mid 1970’s.

Shadow looks back on his days as course commentator at the Harold Park dogs. He pays a special tribute to champion sprinter Roman Earl.

He takes us back to the beginning of his long association with Channel 10. He started as a part time producer, but that quickly led to a more permanent role.

The veteran was one of the pioneers of satellite sports television in Australia. He was the founding Executive Producer at Club Super Station. He looks back on a breakaway bid by the Kembla Grange race club to go exclusively with the satellite channel.

Graham looks back on the beginning of Skychannel under the ownership of Alan Bond. The burgeoning company had a low key beginning in Perth, but McNeice played a part in having the operation moved to Sydney. He looks back on a nine year hosting role on Sky when the races were beamed into pubs and clubs only.

Shadow reflects on the history making day in 1998 when the races were broadcast into homes for the very first time. He looks back fondly on a twelve year stint as host of the popular Sunday morning programme Racing Retro.

He speaks fondly of the many sports documentaries produced by his company Shadow Productions. He makes special mention of a few favourites.

If you missed this podcast in 2019, here’s your chance to catch up. It’s a lovely stroll down memory lane with one of Australia’s great storytellers.

Episode 340: Bob Thomsen

The former outstanding Randwick trainer talks about his introduction to horses at an Oatley riding school, and his interest in becoming an apprentice jockey. 

Bob recalls that his interview with Tommy Smith was arranged by his father’s friend Arthur Davies, better known as Channel 9’s Clarence The Clocker.

He looks back on 40 winners as an apprentice- most trained by his master, and all on metropolitan tracks. He acknowledges other great horsemen who helped him along the way. 

Bob spent 17 years at Tulloch Lodge but left following a dispute with T.J.Smith. He explains the circumstances.

He reflects on a modest start as a trainer with one horse and a rented box on the corner of Barker and Botany Streets at Randwick. The lady who owned the stable waived the rent when Bob agreed to train her horse. 

Bob remembers his association with an owner who purchased a tried horse from a Rosehill stable. The horse was Tudor Charger who became the trainer’s very first winner, and at Royal Randwick of all places.

It’s great to hear the distinguished horseman profile the galaxy of stars he got to train in a solo career embracing close to four decades. It’s not hard to pick his personal favourites.

Bob talks of the talented apprentices he had in the stable during his training days. He acknowledges the great jockeys to ride for the stable with special mention of Shane Dye.

He had a fascination with cars from an early age. That interest led him to an association with vintage cars which continues to this day. Bob highlights some of the “collectors items” to pass through his hands over the years.

Bob’s training career didn’t end the way he would have liked. He was none too pleased when the Australian Turf Club informed him of an impending relocation from his High St stables. He looks back on the dispute which hastened his retirement. 

Bob concludes the podcast on a sentimental note. He takes us back to the Tulloch Lodge days when he got to ride some legendary horses in afternoon exercise. He drops a couple of famous names.

Episode 339: Pam O‘Neill

The former trailblazing jockey talks of her childhood involvement with horses in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot.

Pam remembers how she bristled when trying to lead a racehorse onto Eagle Farm racecourse before having to hand it over to a male.

She recalls her first battle- the right to ride trackwork. Eventually she got the authorities to agree to the staging of ladies races only.

Pam talks of the historic Gold Coast meeting when she became the first woman to compete against men. There were a few red faces when she booted home three winners.

She remembers her bitter disappointment when Kiwi Linda Jones was granted permission to ride at Doomben. At the time Pam was restricted to outside tracks.

The former jockey recalls the amazing invitation she received to ride in Japan.

Pam talks of the cancer scare she endured on returning from Japan.

She reminisces about some of her favourite horses with special mention of Supersnack. She was shattered to lose the ride on the brilliant sprinter Breakfast Creek.

Pam looks at her life as a mother and grandmother.

She pays tribute to late husband Colin O’Neill, a former top jockey and successful trainer.

Since the interview was recorded, Pam has added yet another accolade to her list of credits. The race formerly known as the Glenlogan Park Stakes and Queensland Sapphire Stakes, is now known as the Pam O’Neill Stakes. Nobody deserves the honour more. She’s also acquired one more honorary administrative post- Acting President of the Queensland Jockeys Association. Pammy you brought it all on yourself.

Episode 338: Peter Losh

Peter begins by talking about the Central Coast stationary business he started with wife Donna after quitting the saddle in 2005. They’ve opened the doors again after the endless covid closure.

Peter talks of his love for the NSW central coast where he learned to ride on a local dairy farm.

He remembers the school teacher who encouraged him to consider an apprenticeship as a jockey.

 

Peter recalls his first trip to Sydney and the homesickness that sent him scurrying home after two days.

He talks of his apprenticeship to Alan Bailey and the unforgettable early wins that would launch his career.

The former popular jockey acknowledges some of his favourite horses from those early years.

He pays tribute to the Randwick trainer who gave him great support, and put him on the giant horse he rates as the best he’s ever ridden. 

Peter looks back on a brief metropolitan stint after completing his apprenticeship.

He looks back on an exciting trip to the UK where he rode a couple of winners and formed a friendship with a true racing icon.

Peter reminisces about his first association with the legendary Lester Piggot and the “catch up” years later on a  private Central Coast training property.

He talks of the inevitable race falls and a record number of broken collarbones.

Peter talks of his amazing ability to ride at a featherweight, and the number of big race rides he received from Tommy Smith because of that light weight.

He acknowledges the trainers with whom he had successful partnerships. He rates an expatriate NZ trainer as the best he saw.

The jockey made a switch to Queensland late in his career. He rode many winners in a five year stay, and got to ride a top class sprinter.

Peter concludes with memories of his final day at Wyong and the shock suspension he incurred.

Episode 337: Andrew Gibbons

Introducing a nice chat with one of Australia’s most consistent jockeys.

Andrew Gibbons works hard, travels far and wide and rides winners on a regular basis. 

Andrew talks of the freakish fall at Newcastle in July which saw him miss the first three months of the current season.

He outlines the injuries incurred and the long road back to race riding.

Andrew pays tribute to his twenty year old son Dylan who ranks among Australia’s most promising apprentices. He says he actually discouraged Dylan from becoming a jockey but gave up when the lad persisted.

He talks of Dylan’s amazing first season and his Gr 3 winner on Hunter day.

Back to Andrew Gibbons who remembers his obsession with sport. One of his chosen pursuits was a most unlikely one.

The jockey talks about the pony who taught him the fundamentals of riding and his lucky break in gaining an apprenticeship with a good trainer and mentor. Andrew pays tribute to the former jockey who took an interest in his progress.

He remembers the excitement of riding his first winner in 1994.

Andrew reflects on his transfer to the big smoke and an apprenticeship to Rosehill trainer Bryan Guy. He remembers one special horse he got to ride for his master. 

The popular jockey looks back on a move back to Newcastle at the completion of his indentureship and support from trainers like the late Max Lees.

Gibbons talks of his many rides on country tracks with special mention of his happy hunting ground at Grafton. He’s won three important races on the northern rivers track.

He talks of his ability to ride at a lighter weight than the majority of jockeys. He says it has already gained him rides in Gr 1 races and hoped there will be more in the future. He talks of some elite horses he’s ridden on the training track.

Andrew says he’s been relatively injury free but remembers one freakish accident at Cessnock which left him with nasty injuries to his right foot.

He talks of his intention to ride work for more trainers at different tracks.

Episode 336: Theresa Bateup

Great to catch up with a lady whose continued success is bringing her under notice as a very serious horse trainer. Theresa Bateup announced her presence with a metro double on Gong day. She talks about a great winning trot in the month of November.

Theresa talks of the horses who made her first metropolitan double a reality.

She looks back on an amazing success rate with horses purchased cheaply at the Inglis Scone sale.

 

Theresa reviews a brilliant Sapphire Coast win by Inglis On Line purchase Crackalacka. The trainer admits she wasn’t expecting such an impressive display.

The emerging training talent talks of her training base at Kembla Grange, her loyal staff and clients.

 

Theresa takes us back to childhood days on the family farm at Stockinbingal and her earliest involvement with horses. She affectionately recalls Saturday afternoons with her mother who worked as an operator with the Cootamundra TAB.

 

The trainer recalls her growing fascination with racing and the shrine she created at home for champion racehorses.

She has never forgotten the school work experience stint with the AJC at Randwick. After this she was completely hooked.

Theresa remembers the school scholarship which led her to a Bachelor Of Commerce Degree at Wollongong University. The close proximity to Kembla Grange motivated her to ride trackwork for several local trainers.

 

The trainer looks back on the fateful day she attended an Inglis Tried Stock sale and came away with a $200.00 purchase. 

Theresa profiles the special horses who’ve helped launch her career.

She acknowledges the efforts of several jockeys with whom she’s had a winning association.

Theresa pays a special tribute to her partner, former jockey Michael Ahearn. She says Michael’s assessment of trackwork is of great value to the stable. 

She explains the background utterances of four year old son Zac who had no idea his mother was doing a podcast. Elder son Cooper also gets a special mention. It’s a good yarn with a charming lady who’s gaining prominence in a very tough business.

Episode 335: Bruce Compton

Had a phone call recently from former top jockey Gordon Spinks to tell me that Bruce Compton was in retirement with wife Marina on a Moreton Bay island in Queensland. A quick phone call and we had Bruce locked in for a chat. We check out where he’s living and what he’s doing in retirement.

Bruce begins by talking about the final years of his riding career in northern NSW,  and a couple of business ventures he and Marina operated when he quit the saddle. 

 

He highlights a few smart bush gallopers he got to ride at the end of his career, and talks of the health scare that ended it all.

 

Bruce talks of his exploits as a wine grower and as a waiter in a small restaurant he and Marina opened on their South Kempsey property.

The former ace jockey takes us back to early days in Hastings NZ and his apprenticeship to George Cameron at Takanini. He relives the thrill of his very first race win.

Bruce talks of three apprentice’s premiership wins and a trip to Sydney for a short stint with the legendary Theo Green.

He looks back on a surprise invitation to represent NZ in a jockey’s challenge in India. He got the call when no senior rider volunteered for the role.

 

The hard working jockey takes us through a whirlwind twelve years in which he rode successfully in many different venues.

Compton loved Australian racing and only needed a decent offer to make the move. He talks of his four years as Sydney stable jockey for the late Paul Sutherland.

He pays tribute to several favourite horses during his Sydney stay with special mention of the budding champion Red Anchor.

Bruce recalls one memorable season in NSW which would have been even better had he not been suspended several times. He reflects on a couple of visits to Hong Kong which didn’t work out as he’d hoped.

He looks back on another trip to Sydney with the good horse Castletown and the lucky pick up ride which would bring him Gr 1 glory on the best horse he ever rode!

The talented horseman reflects on a second invitation from Paul Sutherland- this time to become stable jockey for the veteran trainer on the Sunshine Coast. This led him to the NSW mid north coast and his twilight years as a jockey.

Bruce looks back on his amazing resemblance to another Sydney jockey Ken Russell who lost his life in a race fall in 1993. Bruce shares a couple of funny stories inspired by his likeness to Ken.

It was a delight to catch up with a bloke who made a million friends during his stellar riding career.

Episode 334: Scott Brodie

This is the first podcast we’ve conducted with a non racing participant, but the man in question rates among Australia’s best horsemen. Scott Brodie begins by explaining his role as manager of the Prestige Equestrian Training Centre at Helensburgh. He outlines the facilities available on the property.

Scott talks of the riding instruction component of the operation, and the therapy he supervises for Australian Defence Force personnel whose involvement in war zones has left them with emotional problems.

He has no doubt some kind of therapeutic benefit evolves when a person suffering from stress or depression has contact with horses. Scott gives his interpretation of the reasons why.

Scott talks about the wonderful results he’s had with inmates of correctional institutions who are struggling with life.

He reflects on his early connection with horses.

Scott looks back on his many years as an active member of the NSW Mounted Police. He talks of the unique Redfern stables where the unit has been based since 1907.

He pays tribute to the remarkable horses who earn their place in the unit. He talks of the discipline of the horses involved in street demonstrations.

Scott responds humbly to mention of the awards he was accorded during his years as a “mountie” in Sydney streets. He’s still called upon for assistance from the Mounted Police Unit.

He says he’s never had time to consider a racehorse training role, but has had an involvement in the breaking process from time to time.

The master horseman says he gets to work early enough to work a few special horses before he begins his tutorial role at Helensburgh.

For a man who’s spent a lifetime around horses, it’s surprising to learn his most serious injuries were sustained in a boating accident.

Scott talks of his recent experience as co-author and co-publisher of an enthralling booklet called “Conflict To Hope”- a chronicle of the history of the horse and a look at the help these “four legged equine therapists” are providing for people with a broad range of emotional difficulties.

He pays a special tribute to his co-author Dr. Mel Baker who speaks from personal experience when she outlines the wonders of equine therapy. The book features quotes from several people who’ve benefited from Scott’s programmes.

Scott acknowledges a former racehorse of very limited ability who is now the Phar Lap of the therapeutic team. He has never forgotten the first time he mounted Bazaconi. It was one helluva ride!

This is a lovely yarn with a gifted horseman who spends much of his life helping to make people feel better about themselves. Nobody does it better than Scott Brodie.  

Episode 333: John Dumesny Harness Racing NSW

The CEO of the state’s controlling body talks about the 2021 edition of the Interdominion series, to be held over four exciting nights at three top class racetracks. He answers criticism of the decision to conduct two rounds of heats on regional tracks.

John talks of his upbringing in a legendary western districts trotting family. He talks of Ruby Vale Stud at Alectown, a famous breeding farm established by his grandfather William in 1943.

The administrator remembers his early experience with horses and his transition to the race driving ranks. He drove five winners in a brief career. John also looks back on his love of Rugby League and a fleeting Involvement as a player. 

John looks back on some of the successful stallions to stand at Ruby Vale Stud.

He remembers his first administrative role as a committee member of the Parkes Harness Racing Club. He later spent two years as President.

John pays tribute to his late father Stan who died very recently and was farewelled by a huge congregation of mourners.

He looks back on his 1988 appointment as administrator and racing manager for the NSWHRC who were then based at Harold Park. He began his new role just two weeks after Peter V/Landys joined the club as CEO. John says Peter’s unique style of management was evident from the beginning.

Dumesny reviews several major events which took place during his time at Harold Park. 

He remembers the landmark High Court decision which would bring huge revenue to the racing industry. Race Fields Legislation changed the landscape for the three racing codes.

John remembers the massive refurbishment of the Harold Park precinct which brought a new and lavish grandstand, and a total reconstruction of the iconic Glebe circuit.

He looks back on the financial stress which ultimately brought about the sale of the valuable piece of real estate to development giant Mirvac.

It’s a laid back chat with a man who’s spent his entire adult life in harness racing.

Episode 332: Darren Gauci

It’s always a delight to chat with Darren Gauci who won a million friends during his magnificent riding career. He begins by looking back on his twilight years in the saddle when opportunities were diminishing.

Darren will long remember the send off he was accorded at Caulfield in Feb 2017. He responded in the best possible way by riding a winner. Emotions ran high through the day.

He talks of his current routine as a jockey mentor for Racing Victoria, and the services available to up and coming young riders.

Darren talks of the natural instinct some hopefuls have for riding. He mentions one modern day champion who didn’t have that instinct.

The former champion rider looks back on early wins and his first Group 1 at eighteen years of age. He rated the horse very highly.

Darren remembers the surprise he got when an enthusiastic fan club started to appear at Melbourne race meetings. He reflects on the wisdom of his master Frank King who devised a simple way to keep his feet on the ground.

Darren looks back on his invitation to appear on the top rating television show Young Talent Time. He actually sat on a horse in the Ch 10 studio. He also met his future wife Karen who was a regular on the famous programme.

He talks of Karen’s journey in the racing world, and their wonderful family of four.

Darren looks back on two separate stints in Hong Kong, one brief the other long term. He formed happy associations with two champion trainers. 

He talks of his disappointment in failing to ride a Melbourne Cup winner and looks back on three seconds in the great race. 

“The Gauch” pays tribute to a select group of champions he got to ride including Super Impose, Lohnro, Octagonal, El Segundo and Shaftesbury Avenue. He makes a surprise admission about his association with Octagonal.

He may surprise you when he acknowledges the best two year old he ever rode.

Darren makes mention of his biography “The Gauch” lovingly crafted by Kristen Manning three years ago. There are still copies available. It’s a wonderful record of an amazing career.

We could have talked about many more career highlights but time caught up. Darren closes with news of an impending event in the Gauci family.