John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
This is an inspirational chat with a remarkable Victorian trotting lady. Donna talks about the Victorian trotting industry’s support of the “Pacing For Pink” promotion which works in conjunction with the McGrath Foundation.
Donna, universally known as “Sissy” talks of her own personal battle with breast cancer in 2016. She looks back on her diagnosis, rehabilitation and the effects of the ordeal on herself and family.
“Sissy” pays tribute to her father Jim Castles who drove his first winner in the 1950’s and was still driving in races sixty years later. Despite a strong hereditary factor, Donna didn’t begin her race driving career until she was 42 years old.
She looks back on some of the good horses trained by her father in the golden years at Sydney’s Harold Park.
Donna talks of her only sibling Sandra and her hard working mother Monica.
She explains why she and partner “Doc” Wilson relocated to Shepparton almost twenty years ago and her reasons for taking up race driving at a late stage of life.
“Sissy” talks of the thrilling occasion of her first race drive, and acknowledges the horses who helped kick start her professional career.
She talks of the freakish fall at Cobram last year which could have left her with serious injuries.
Donna explains the reason behind the re- registration of the colours her father used in NSW for six decades.
The talented horsewoman outlines the facilities to be found on the Shepparton training property she runs with partner “Doc”. The couple’s 18 year old daughter has learned the fundamentals but has no intention of following in Mum’s footsteps.
We run through Donna’s impressive training and driving statistics.
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
It’s always good to head out of town for a podcast chat and this week we go to Grafton to catch up with John Shelton. A multiple premiership winner in northern NSW, John made his mark on the big stage when he prepared Belflyer to win the inaugural Kosciuszko. John talks of his concerns on the day when the track was classified a Heavy 10.
The Grafton trainer talks of the immediate impact of the occasion and the many emotions he experienced.
He talks of his association with winning jockey Adam Hyeronimus who’d been apprenticed to him in Grafton.
The trainer talks of Belflyer’s early history and the circumstances that brought the gelding to his Grafton stables.
John talks of the communication between connections and the slotholders who were responsible for Belflyer making the Kosciuszko field.
Shelton talks of his riding days in Glen Innes and the two trainers who got him up and running. One of those trainers prepared Tiny’s Finito who won an amazing 40 races.
John explains his reason for moving to Grafton as a full time trackwork rider, and his association with an owner who would have a tremendous influence on his future.
He remembers his association with a future dual Gr 1 winner.
John pays tribute to several good horses who helped shape his destiny and the talented apprentices he’s had the pleasure to tutor.
The trainer talks about a former professional golfer who has become a staunch friend and a huge help in the day to day running of the stables.
John pointers a couple of horses in his stable currently that may pay to follow.
He concludes by acknowledging the enormous stimulus to country racing generated by increased prize money and the introduction of city races for country trained horses.
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Great to catch up with one of the most consistent performers among the Sydney riding ranks. Brenton talks of his lightning visit to Brisbane on the weekend which brought a Gr 2 winner.
He reflects on his recent Gr 1 All Aged Stakes win on the Chris Waller trained Kolding.
The young jockey remembers his introduction to racing by his bookmaker father Peter, and his early role model among the Melbourne jockeys.
Brenton talks of school days and the classmate whose father happened to be a horse trainer. Work experience led him to an apprenticeship.
He’s never forgotten his first winning ride. He took two carloads to Bendigo to give him support. The horse won despite a pretty average ride.
He talks of his first metropolitan winner in Adelaide and his important initial winner in Melbourne.
Brenton recalls the surprise phone call that would bring him to Sydney. He never returned to Melbourne.
He remembers the chestnut mare who provided his first two Gr 1 wins and propelled him into the big time in Sydney.
Brenton looks back on his two Melbourne Gr 1 winners, a sprinter and a stayer. He won a Lightning Stakes on Snitzerland and a Crown Oaks on the $101 “pop” Lasqueti Spirit. The Oaks story is riveting.
The thrill of winning races like the Epsom, Oaks, Lightning Stakes and Randwick Guineas paled into insignificance alongside his Golden Slipper win on Estijaab. This is his day of days so far.
He looks back on his golden season in 2017/2018- three individual premierships.
Brenton reflects on his three exciting trips to Japan at the invitation of the JRA.
The jockey speaks affectionately of his father-in-law, former successful jockey Neil Paine.
Brenton acknowledges the support of his wife Taylor and the joy provided by seventeen month old son Hunter who boasts a strong racing pedigree.
It’s a relaxed chat with a pleasant young bloke who deserves his spot among Sydney’s top jockeys.
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Brad talks about his very first trip to Perth in 1997 when he won an Apprentice’s Cup. He’s loved the place ever since.
He talks of his very first Gr 1 win on Niconero for David Hayes. It just happened to be in Perth. He recalls a WA Derby win for the same stable.
Brad talks of his deep racing background and the achievements of his father Keith who’s still riding trackwork in his mid 70’s.
He talks of brother Todd who’s now out of racing and sister Stacey who opted for motherhood after a successful riding career.
Brad looks back on two national premierships, and the Golden Slipper win he landed at the expense of an injured jockey.
Brad talks of his Caulfield Cup win on Viewed - a result of the ride he considers his career best!
Rawiller remembers with affection his astonishing association with the great horse Weekend Hussler. He won 7 Gr 1’s on the Ross McDonald trained galloper.
Brad also pays tribute to the old marvel Black Heart Bart. He won 6 Gr 1 races on a horse who was constantly plagued with foot problems, but kept bouncing back at the elite level.
He looks back on a Cranbourne fall that left him unconscious for several minutes. His recovery astounded doctors.
The jockey acknowledges several other favourite horses.
Apart from brother Nash he had two other riding heroes. He pays tribute to them.
Brad talks of the wonderful support he’s had from wife Carolyn, daughter Cleo and son Lucas. They’re all settled in Perth.
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed my first chat with Bill Mitchell since he left the training ranks in 2005. He begins by outlining his reasons for relocating to Melbourne in his final years as a trainer.
Bill talks of his surprise decision to relinquish his licence and the establishment of his own bloodstock consultancy business.
The multiple Group 1 winning trainer looks back on nine years as racing manager for the Segenhoe Group.
Bill reflects on the excitement of migrating from England with his family at age 11. His father Major James Mitchell had purchased Yarraman Park Stud from legendary jockey George Moore.
He talks of school days in Australia and the affinity he developed with thoroughbreds at Yarraman Park.
Bill reflects on his return to England where he learned the basics of training from Fulke Johnson Houghton. Then it was back to Sydney for a stint with Neville Begg.
Still feeling his education was incomplete, Bill headed to the USA where he landed a job in the stable of decorated trainer Neil Drysdale.
Bill talks of his humble beginnings as a trainer in Scone and his important move to Warwick Farm.
He remembers with affection his first taste of Gr 1 euphoria- a win with From The Planet in the 1989 Epsom.
Bill was one of several trainers to prepare the bold front runner Stylish Century. He looks back on some notable wins with a special horse.
He acknowledges the deeds of several top class gallopers who contributed to his rise to the upper echelon of Sydney trainers. He makes special mention of outstanding horses like Livistona Lane, Kenwood Melody, Dignity Dancer and General Nediym.
Bill elaborates on the progress of Mitchell Bloodstock, a company he formed fifteen years ago in partnership with his son James.
Great to catch up with a gentleman of Australian racing.
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
At last we catch up with one of the superstars of the Australian riding ranks. We launch straight into Glen’s memories of the freakish mare Makybe Diva who gave him three consecutive Melbourne Cup victories. He still gets goosebumps when he talks about the amazing staying mare.
He talks of the 1998 Melbourne Cup when he hit the front on Champagne and thought he was home. Glen couldn’t believe it when Jezabeel fought back to win.
The great jockey takes us back to childhood days at Beaudesert and his obsession with horses from an early age. He adored his years at Pony Club.
Glen recalls the defining moment at Gympie races when he knew he wanted to be a jockey.
He looks back on his two rewarding apprenticeships- the first with Terry Chinner at Gympie and the second with Kaye Tinsley on the Gold Coast.
Glen talks about his fiery nature in those early years and the careless riding that brought him many suspensions.
He looks back on the fateful day he met his future wife Sloane, the mother of his two children. Glen talks of the shock he received when the Australian Tax Office swooped at the completion of his apprenticeship. He was forced to sell a precious keepsake in order to pay the rent.
Glen tells the story of the Ipswich treble that put he and Sloane back in the black. This was the day he realised he could handle pressure better than most.
The jockey talks of son Tayte and daughter Carter who grew up in Melbourne, and have chosen to make their homes there.
He pays tribute to the NSW trainer who was instrumental in getting him south of the border. He remembers the morning he asked Tommy Smith if he could ride some work for Tulloch Lodge.
Glen vividly recalls his maiden Gr 1 win on the enigmatic Telesto, and several of his subsequent career highlights. There have been so many it’s hard to know where to start.
The champion jockey talks of the days when he had to wear contact lenses in races, and spectacles when he went out to dinner.
Bossy takes us back to the lowest point of his long career- the Macau fall that went within an ace of leaving him quadriplegic. His own diagnosis and the steps he took immediately after the fall, probably prevented total disaster.
Of all the great trainers with whom Glen has been associated, there’s one who left a lasting impression on the great jockey.
This is almost certainly the longest podcast we’ve ever presented. When you talk to an achiever like Glen Boss, time passes quickly.
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Great to catch up with a young horseman who has already made his mark as a trainer and driver at the top level. Brad begins by pointing out the many advantages of being based at Goulburn.
He reflects on the tutelage he received from his late grandfather Tom Hewitt, one of the most respected horsemen of his generation.
Brad talks of the influence Tom had on his sons- David, Bernie and Mark, all highly successful in their own right. He says his Aunt Jenna, the only girl in the Hewitt family wasn’t allowed to drive in races.
The young horseman talks of the trotting genes to be found on the maternal side of his family.
Brad says his brothers have also chosen harness racing as their preferred livelihood- Sam as a trainer and breaker, Scott as a trainer and farrier. Sister Jess also gets a mention.
The thirty year old looks back on the thrill of his first winning drive and his handful of winners at historic Harold Park.
Brad pays tribute to the special horses who’ve helped to launch his career. He speaks with great reverence of his all time favourite Spare Me Days.
He speaks of his great friendship with Canberra Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker, an avid harness racing fan.
For the trots punters Brad highlights a couple of promising young horses in his stable.
He talks of his only Gr 1 winning drive to date. It was Rockin’ Marty in a Breeders Challenge Final. The horse was trained by his father David.
Brad says his partner Milly had no interest in horses when they met but quickly adapted. He and Milly are the proud parents of Ruby who’s almost two and William who arrived only a few weeks ago.
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Great to catch up with John Morrisey, one of the most astute trainers of his generation. John talks about the move from Canberra to the Gold Coast which came as a surprise to many.
The former trainer talks of his time at the well known Capricorn Park training property near Yass.
John takes us back to his childhood on the Northern Rivers and his father’s Ramornie Hcp win with Flecked Marble.
He looks back on the thrill of his own Ramornie win many years later.
John remembers that Ramornie winner, the talented Kidlat.
Morrisey pays tribute to his Gr 1 winners Camarena, Lachlan River and Rockdale with a few good stories along the way.
John fondly remembers talented galloper Here’s The Prince who landed a well orchestrated plunge for the stable in the 1995 Villiers.
He acknowledges the efforts of Here’s The Point, Digger Stakas, Miss Comanche and Kareden- all great money spinners for the stable.
John recounts the story of the day Peter Pascoe arrived with four horses on his truck and told the trainer to see what he could do with them. Two of those horses won 23 races between them.
He talks about the immense loyalty he’s had from owners over the years, and talks about his reputation for timing a horse’s preparation to the minute.
John is obviously disillusioned about the 9 months disqualification he copped when one of his horses returned a positive result to a cobalt test. His frustration hasn’t subsided.
The retired trainer talks about the transition of son Scott into the number one spot.
John pays tribute to Kay, his wife of 50 years. They celebrated recently.
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
It’s unlikely there’s a busier jockey in Australia currently than Hunter Valley based Mikayla Weir. As this podcast is posted Mikayla has had 32 race rides on 8 different race tracks in 10 days. Just for practice she rode in 11 barrier trials at Scone last Wednesday. In an interview recorded on Good Friday she takes us through that horrendous schedule.
The young jockey logs enormous mileage to honour commitments in the North Eastern corner of the state. She explains how she comes to terms with the travelling.
Mikayla takes us back to early days on the South Coast and her introduction to rodeo.
She explains the fundamentals of some of her favourite rodeo pursuits.
Mikayla recalls the fateful day at a Cooma rodeo when she met her partner, professional rodeo star Jock Bone-Langdon.
The 27 year old looks back on her first racing stable job with Kembla trainer Kerry Parker. It was a year before Kerry allowed her to ride trackwork. She was “hooked” from the first moment.
Mikayla reflects on her successful application for an apprenticeship with Hunter Valley trainer Todd Howlett- an apprenticeship which only recently concluded.
The hard working jockey remembers her first race ride and the magical moment of her initial win.
Mikayla acknowledges some of the nice horses who’ve helped to lift her profile in recent times.
She makes special mention of her role model Kathy O’Hara, and expresses her gratitude to the trainers who’ve given her regular support.
The popular jockey talks of the support she receives from partner Jock who gives her the latitude to pursue her chosen career. Mikayla outlines the improvements she and Jock have made to their Jerry’s Plains property. She hints at a future as a trainer.
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
I’ve had several requests over a period of time to organise a podcast with former high profile bookie Bruce McHugh. We actually did just that in August of 2019, but in those early days of the website many missed it. In the 1980’s this was the time of year when Bruce and Kerry Packer would go toe to toe at the big Randwick carnival. It’s an appropriate time to repost that podcast.
Bruce talks of his current interest in racing, and the thoroughbred stallion he stands commercially- the fashionably bred Arlington.
He shares memories of his grandfather Jim who arrived in Australia as a state ward in the late 19th century. Jim McHugh rode an Epsom winner. Bruce remembers him clearly.
Bruce shares wonderful memories of his late father Bill who died in 1999. He remembers his father’s tenuous start as a bookmaker at bush meetings and his elevation to the famous Randwick Flat Enclosure.
He admits he was a born gambler, the prime prerequisite for a future bookie.
Bruce talks fondly of his maternal grandmother Hilda who dabbled in a little bit of bookmaking outside the boundaries of the law.
He recalls a couple of early business enterprises and his low key start as a bookmaker.
Bruce remembers his admission to the Randwick Flat and his gradual transition to the St Leger interstate ring. He was promoted to the main interstate ring with the death of an older bookie. He remembers his main client of the era.
He recalls a chance meeting with Kerry Packer in the Rosehill interstate ring. The bookie next door refused a bet from the media magnate. Bruce accommodated him, and an amazing association began.
The Packer segment in this podcast is wonderful memorabilia. Bruce takes us through some high pressure afternoons with one of the world’s biggest punters. McHugh couldn’t be more frank.
Bruce looks back on the day Packer had a gigantic bet on Myocard in the Sydney Cup only to be beaten by a horse he half owned.
He looks back on 18 rewarding years on the Sydney Turf Club Board, three of those as Chairman. He talks of the AJC/STC merger.
Bruce talks about the massively expensive high court challenge he mounted against a ban on the use of artificial insemination in the thoroughbred industry.
Many theories have been advanced about Bruce’s sudden departure from the bookmaking ranks. He reveals why it was time to go.
This is a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a man who was a major player in the days when the betting ring had as much theatre as the racetrack itself.