John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Great to catch up with a 31 year old jockey who’s nudging 1000 career wins. Ben was sitting in his car at the Armidale racecourse when we tracked him down for this interview. He begins by singing the praises of a promising mare he rode at Grafton recently.
He makes mention of a recent addition to the Port Macquarie training ranks. He’s already forged an association with Paul Shailer, a former Chris Waller Gold Coast stable manager.
Ben pays tribute to the riding talents of his wife Priscilla who quit the saddle to become a Sky Racing host.
He talks about the Wauchope horse property managed by Priscilla and her sister Cassandra. Ben rides frequently for his father-in-law, Grafton trainer Dwayne Schmidt.
Ben looks back on his apprenticeship to Grafton trainer John Shelton, and his first day as a professional jockey.
He reflects on a brief stint with Gai Waterhouse at Randwick. He rode several winners and got to handle some great gallopers in trackwork.
The jockey remembers his hero worship of rising star Zac Purton. They still keep in touch.
Ben speaks glowingly of the brilliant Victorem. He won six races on the Jenny Graham trained flyer including a Country Championship final.
He tells the story of his lucky “pick up” ride on Sacred Day in the Grafton Cup. A hometown win gave him an enormous thrill.
Ben also heaps praise on Kosciuszko winner Belflyer. He had a lot to do with the horse.
He couldn’t be more honest as he looks back on a bout of depression,and the professional help that got him back on track.
Ben reminisces about his most successful days in the saddle.
The young father makes special mention of 11 months old son Ollie who keeps him on his toes.
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Great to catch up with a doyen of western districts racing! Gayna recalls the thrill of her first training win with Scarlet Vixen at Orange in 1985. She paid $1400 for the filly at an Inglis sale.
She talks of her marriage to Frank Williams and a sudden move to Grafton in 2010. She may still be there had Frank not been offered a job at Gulgong.
Gayna talks about seven successful years of training at Mudgee, and a return to Bathurst as recently as 2020.
The talented horsewoman rode trackwork for thirty years but knee problems now keep her on the ground.
Gayna says she was relatively injury free during her many years on the training tracks.
She acknowledges the special horses who’ve helped to keep her at or near the top of the trainer’s ladder for many years.
Gayna makes special mention of recent winners like From The Bush, Zoo Station and Tags who are chasing more wins.
The trainer expounds on the benefits the TAB Highways have brought to country owners and trainers.
Gayna pays tribute to her elderly parents, now in retirement at Port Macquarie.
She’s reluctant to name favourites when it comes to the jockeys who’ve helped her along the way. She had to be coaxed. It’s a laid back chat with an outstanding horse trainer.
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Great to chat with a man who co-founded Hyperion Thoroughbreds, one of the very earliest racehorse syndication companies in Australia. We find out what Allan’s been doing since a crippling recession brought Hyperion’s operation to a halt in 1990.
Allan takes us back to his childhood in Gravesend near Warialda when radio was a way of life to country people. He fell in love with the theatre of racing, the day he listened to the broadcast of the 1956 Melbourne Cup.
He talks of school days in Inverell and his first job at the Valuer General’s Department in Sydney. A job transfer to Moree led him to a friendship with Terry Mulhall, destined to become his business partner in later years.
Allan reflects on the creation of Hyperion Thoroughbreds and the concept of forming larger syndicates than those offered by predecessors.
He recalls the creation of the famous black and pink silks which signalled the emerging popularity of syndication.
He reflects on the tough guidelines introduced by the Corporate Affairs Commission in the 1970’s.
Allan looks back on the extensive methods of communication necessary to keep hundreds of owners informed about their horses.
He acknowledges some of the better horses to keep the Hyperion banner flying, beginning with the cheap Dubbo sale graduate Prince Clarendon.
Allan pays a special tribute to the evergreen Targlish, almost certainly the best horse to represent the company. The remarkable gelding raced 109 times for 17 wins and 31 placings.
He reflects on the ground breaking idea of purchasing a horse to race in America for Australian owners. He pays tribute to So Vague who won 5 races in the USA before being brought to Australia. He later won stakes races in Melbourne for Colin Hayes.
Allan acknowledges the devotion of some special trainers who gave great service to Hyperion Thoroughbreds.
He pays a special tribute to the veteran jockey who rode many winners in the Hyperion colours and frequently helped out behind the scenes.
Allan reflects on the inevitable winding down of the 16 year old company when the recession started to bite. Hyperion was one of hundreds of businesses to be brought to their knees. The last of the horses were placed according the wishes of their owners, and a great era had come to an end. It was a tough day for old mates Gainey and Mulhall.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Delighted to catch up with a bloke who boasts a racing pedigree to match that of any thoroughbred blueblood. Alan Gollogly is the son of the former successful Queensland jockey of the same name, and the grandson of Fred Best who won 17 Brisbane trainer’s premierships. Throw in his uncle, champion jockey Noel Best for good measure.
“Jock” talks of his current role as official track clocker for top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
He talks of the few hectic hours six mornings a week when he has to identify and clock a large number of horses.
“Jock” explains that he was engaged by Kris Lees after being made redundant by the famous form newspaper “Sportsman”.
He talks about his education in the 1960’s at Brisbane’s Nudgee College. His grandfather wasn’t keen for the youngster to work in racing and actually paid his school fees.
“Jock” describes the talents of the late Fred Best who is still talked about by veteran Queensland racing men. He remembers the deeds of his uncle Noel Best whose career was hindered by weight battles.
He pays tribute to his late father who passed away in 1992.
“Jock” looks back on his association with classy sprinter Bengalla Lad. He rode the horse into second place in the 1972 Stradbroke, but thought he’d lose the ride in the Doomben $10,000. A loyal owner made the difference.
The Newcastle clocker recalls an exciting day in 1974 when he rode five winners. He had to go to a couple of racetracks to make it happen.
He reflects on an unlikely win in a Port Moresby Cup. You’ll love the story about the offer he had to ride in an earlier race. He respectfully declined.
“Jock” looks back on a stint in the Queensland outback when he established an extraordinary strike rate. While living in Cunnamulla he received a shock phone call from a racing icon.
He talks of eight months in Hong Kong where he was usually on the longer priced stable runner.
Alan remembers a wonderful sequence of wins at a Grafton July carnival.
He agrees his life changed forever when invited to try his luck at Newcastle by a local trainer. He enjoyed wonderful support from trainers and won a Newcastle jockeys premiership.
The former jockey pays tribute to his greatest fan, 92 year old mother Joyce who’s a fixture at the local TAB.
“Jock” looks back on the shock discovery of a dangerous melanoma which brought the curtain down on his riding career.
He didn’t let the grass grow under his feet. Before long he was working in a leading Newcastle Menswear store and enjoying every minute of it.
He remembers his fleeting comeback two years later. He rode numerous winners but couldn’t regenerate the enthusiasm of old.
“Jock” talks of the opportunities that came his way over the next few years- lengthy stints with the Newcastle Herald, Prime TV, and Sky Racing Radio.
He looks back on a fun day at Randwick in 1994 when the AJC put on a race called “Golden Oldies” for former jockeys who could still do the job. He got himself on a smart one.
“Jock” talks of the two legendary gallopers he got to ride in trackwork.
Finally he pays tribute to long time partner Lindsay who left Brisbane to join him in Newcastle almost four decades ago.
It’s a laid back yarn with a good teller of tales.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Thanks to a devoted Melbourne racing historian we were able to access fifty year old recordings of race wins by Dual Choice. Listening to the calls I was reminded of the talents of this flying daughter of Showdown.
A quick spot of research, a scripting of the Dual Choice story and some good work from Supernova Sound and we had ourselves a podcast- a podcast for old timers like me, and those who like to hear about a good horse from any era.
My thanks to Dennis Najim, Bert Bryant and John Russell. Let’s head down memory lane.
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Keagan is counting down the minutes to a specialist appointment on November 10th when he hopes to gain a clearance to ride again. He talks about the seemingly harmless tumble at Hawkesbury that left him with multiple injuries.
He reflects on a wonderful season that brought him more than a century of winners and a provincial premiership.
Keagan talks of his South African childhood and induction into the famed Durban Jockeys Academy.
He reminisces about his very first winning ride for his master Duncan Howells on the Scottsville track and his transfer to the legendary trainer Mike De Kock.
Keagan looks back on the surprise offer from the United Arab Emirates. De Kock encouraged him to grab the opportunity. He actually won a different kind of Gr 1 race in Dubai.
He talks of the chance meeting with a famous jockey which led to a riding stint in Ireland. He had four good seasons there.
Keagan reflects on a flying visit to England which brought him a Gr 2 win.
The much travelled jockey looks back on a short stint in Mauritius.
He talks of a return to the UK and a relationship with a young lady who worked for a prominent trainer. That lady is now Mrs Keagan Latham.
The story of his move to Australia and his first morning at Randwick trackwork makes for interesting listening.
Keagan talks of his first winning ride in Australia and a hurried trip back to England for his marriage to Nancy.
He reflects on his gradual rise through the ranks in NSW and his decision to concentrate on the provincial and near country circuit.
Keagan talks about his trackwork involvement. He attends when not travelling a long distance to a race meeting.
He acknowledges the trainers who’ve given him continued support and talks about a Scone Cup win for Maher/Eustace.
The jockey talks about the major Queensland win which eventuated when the winner of the race returned a positive swab.
Keagan talks about his unusual recreation away from racing- a different kind of horsepower.
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Kylie Gavenlock’s early life revolved around her devotion to horses and her love for the NSW Central Coast. Now at age 57 Kylie is still based at Gosford, and is in her fourth decade as a professional trainer. She begins by talking about the Gosford Race Club’s plans for expansion as a training centre.
Kylie talks of the 75 acre property at nearby Somersby which gives her horses the “best of both worlds”.
The trainer pays tribute to her elderly Mum who still helps out around the farm.
Kylie looks back on her early days as a trackwork rider and pays tribute to the veteran trainers who helped to get her started.
The talented horsewoman talks of teenage daughter Skye and husband Terry, a former top flight Rugby League forward.
She pays a fitting tribute to pioneer syndicator Harry Lawton, one of the first to recognise her affinity with horses.
Kylie looks back on the special horses who’ve shaped her career.
She speaks affectionately of a talented apprentice who has since developed into a multiple Gr 1 winning jockey.
Kylie talks about her association with John Singleton, another owner to appreciate her ability with horses.
She closes by acknowledging the efforts of a long time stable foreman and two valued track riders.
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
TAB punters who fancy a flutter on NSW southern meetings are familiar with the riding of Brendan Ward. The Victorian born jockey had 700 winners on his CV when he moved to Canberra twenty years ago. He’s since added another 820. Brendan talks about his involvement in Canberra trackwork.
He talks of the endless travelling country jockeys have to endure in the modern age.
Brendan talks of his lifelong addiction to exercise and training.
He talks of childhood days in Melbourne and the work experience stint with a legendary trainer of the 1980’s. He eventually became apprenticed to Geoff Murphy.
Brendan recalls his first winning ride at Terang.
He talks of fellow apprentices in the Murphy stable and his association with a top horse of the era.
The jockey reflects on the tuition he received from a couple of ace jockeys of the day.
Brendan looks back on two “loan out” experiences with other trainers- one in Wodonga and the other in Adelaide.
He remembers a quirky horse he was associated with at Ollie Cox’s Wodonga stables, and the friendship he forged with Benalla jockey Peter Robl.
Brendan outlines the reason for his move to Canberra and the wonderful run he enjoyed in the first few years.
He talks of the two serious accidents that slowed his momentum for many months.
Country commitments have kept him away from Sydney tracks over the years, but he reflects on a few highlights in the big smoke.
Brendan acknowledges the talents of the Canberra sprinter he regards as the best horse he’s ever ridden in a race.
He makes special mention of the trainers to give him continued support.
Great to catch up with a hard working, dedicated and super fit country jockey.
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
I’ll never forget the day Sky Channel boss Graham McNeice told me he was bringing a young race caller from Queensland to join the Sky team. Russell Leonard was only seventeen, very talented but very intimidated by the big city. The youngster loved the experience but couldn’t adapt to life in a city like Sydney. We catch up with 50 year old Russell Leonard three decades after homesickness sent him scurrying home to Rockhampton.
Right off the top we investigate the nickname by which he’s universally known.
Russ takes us through his current work schedule.
You’ll be surprised when he outlines the number of horses trained at Callaghan Park in Rockhampton. Russ helps to coordinate trackwork a couple of days a week.
He talks of the outstanding racing surfaces available at Rockhampton and Mackay.
Russ takes us back to childhood days with his horse trainer father Keith Leonard. He remembers life on the road with a truckload of horses. They met some interesting people.
He has never forgotten his “baptism of fire” behind the microphone when the Clermont race caller couldn’t get there.
Russ looks back on early days as a caller on bush tracks and his first real opportunity in Rockhampton.
He’s never forgotten the fateful phone call from Graham McNeice which enticed him to Sydney. He reflects on a busy year with Sky Channel and the lingering homesickness that brought him home.
Russ looks back on a short but fascinating stint in Port Moresby. He couldn’t believe the volume of wagering in the New Guinea betting shops.
This man has crammed a lot into his fifty years. He remembers his role as racing manager to the late Bruce McLachlan at the trainer’s world class Caboolture training centre.
Russ talks of his long stint as a sales rep in the liquor industry- firstly with Hardys Wines and later with Bacardi Lion.
The talented Leonard takes us through his role as a compere of the popular Calcutta functions which precede regional Cup meetings. He’s in demand as far afield as Warrnambool.
Russ talks of his marriage to Karen and the progress of their two sons.
Russ pays tribute to two special horses who cut their teeth on Central Queensland tracks. You’ll know the names.
I can’t believe more than three decades have passed since “Brolga” spent a restless year in Sydney. Lovely to catch up with a dyed in the wool Queenslander.
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
It’s a delight to introduce a young man whose serious health problems haven’t diminished his resolve to become a serious professional jockey. Harry begins by talking about the wide area he covers in the pursuit of winners.
He talks of a two year stay in Bendigo and the homesickness that took him back to Swan Hill.
Harry talks about the 10 hectare property near Swan Hill where he lives with partner Tayla.
He recalls having lived a reasonably normal childhood despite the restrictions imposed by his medical condition.
Harry takes us through his regular medication regime and the daily physiotherapy required to get him to the races.
The jockey pays tribute to his horse trainer father Austy who remains his greatest supporter.
He talks of his only sibling, brother Sam who has chosen a career path away from racing.
Harry looks back on the magical occasion of his first winning ride.
He acknowledges the ongoing support of trainer Darren Weir in his early days as a jockey.
The 25 year old will never forget his only Gr 1 win to date. Darren Weir entrusted him with the ride on Sopressa in the Schweppes Australasian Oaks of 2018. Harry takes us through an unforgettable day.
He looks back on the exciting day at Wycheproof when he rode six of the seven winners.
Harry makes special mention of one of his favourite horses- the great bush galloper Vianden who won many Country Cups.
The jockey speaks with reverence of a horse called Signoff. He has no doubt the Darren Weir trained gelding is the best horse he’s ridden to date.
Harry talks of his strong association with the Maher/Eustace stable.
He expresses his appreciation of the wise counsel he receives from media identity Deane Lester.
Harry says the absence of interstate jockeys and his ability to ride at a light weight, might bring him a ride or two in the bigger races over the Victorian carnival.
There was no hesitation when I asked Harry to name the jockey who has been his greatest inspiration.
This is a bright and breezy chat with a remarkable young man.