John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Great to catch up with top Victorian lightweight jockey Dean Yendall who’s feeling a little sorry for himself at the moment. Dean talks about the frustrations of endless weeks in a neck brace. He’s grateful no surgery was required.
Dean reflects on the Terang fall that put him out of business just before Xmas. He says his mount Saintly Rose had the race won when she went sideways.
He talks of his choice of lifestyle at rural Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera district.
Dean looks back on his apprenticeship to Ken Sweeney at historic Jerilderie in the Riverina.
He’s never forgotten his first win on Leinster at Narrandera more than 30 years ago. He recalls his transfer to Kilmore trainer Peter Gray.
Dean reflects on his first city win at Oakbank in 1994.
He looks back on early years when he tried to carve a niche for himself in many different parts of the country. He speaks fondly of a man who became his mentor and best friend.
The lightweight jockey pays tribute to several trainers who gave him valuable support.
Dean still can’t believe he rode his first Gr 1 winner in Sydney. He fondly remembers Yankee Rose.
Just three weeks after his Randwick triumph Dean struck again at Gr 1 level during the Melbourne Cup carnival. He pays tribute to I Am A Star.
The popular jockey remembers his two rides on crack sprinter Santa Ana Lane. One of them gave him another Gr 1!
Dean acknowledges two other Gr 1 triumphs- his second Myer Classic and an Oakleigh Plate.
The jockey talks of his Gr 1 Memsie Stakes win on Scales Of Justice for astute trainer Lindsey Smith.
Yendall’s ability to ride light has earned him several Melbourne Cup rides. He talks of his closest finisher.
Dean pays tribute to his wife jockey Christine Puls and his 8 year old daughter Mia.
He talks of Christine’s best win to date -a Gr 3 Hobart Cup on Our Dashing Dane.
He reflects on the wonderful tribute paid to Christine by the Victorian racing industry in 2019.
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Ian begins by looking back on his emotion- charged final day of calling at Gosford in 2009.
He recalls his final metropolitan race call at Randwick just five days earlier.
The former ace broadcaster talks about the post racing life of retired callers like Bryan Martin and Greg Miles.
Ian talks of school days at Sydney Grammar, and the difficulties associated with having the same name as a previous Australian cricket captain.
He looks back on his introduction to race broadcasts when laid up with rheumatic fever as a child.
When the time came to enter the workforce, most expected young Ian to join his father’s tailoring business. Instead he started off with the Stamina Clothing Company.
Ian remembers a Richmond Greyhound Racing Club advertisement which led him into the race calling field.
He looks back on the days of the huge Granville Showground trotting gymkhanas where several callers gained their starts. Ian kicked off in the bushes at the back of the track.
He’s never forgotten his very first paid job as a race caller.
Ian speaks fondly of his radio years at Harold Park Paceway, and the wonderful horsemen who dominated in the era.
He reflects on 2KY’s entry into the Sydney race broadcasting market. He went to work for the station when they were in opposition to 2GB, 2UE and the ABC. Six years later the TAB bought the station outright. Things moved quickly thereafter.
Ian remembers his entry into Sydney television through a very popular Sunday racing segment called “Punters Post Mortem”.
He takes us through the great horses he got to call, with special mention of Kingston Town.
Ian recollects the drama of the colossal Getting Closer betting plunge at Canterbury in 1982.
He reviews famous racing incidents like the races won by 500/1 “pops” in the 1980’s. Both horses were ridden by the same jockey.
This is a lovely stroll down memory lane with one of the best race broadcasters to grace the airwaves in Australia.
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
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.
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
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.
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.