John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
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.
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
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.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
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.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
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.
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
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.
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
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.
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
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.
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
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.
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.