John Tapp Racing

Episode 275: Rex Lipp

Great to catch up with a man who’s been a household name in the Queensland training ranks. He begins by dismissing the popular belief that he’s close to retirement.

Rex talks of his love for the Darling Downs and the reasons he’s never wanted to train elsewhere. He looks back on a rural childhood and his three earliest pursuits- dairying, the raising of beef cattle and the harvesting of grain.

The veteran trainer talks of his twenty years in a variety of roles at Queensland’s well known Eureka Stud owned by Col McAlpine. Rex decided to go training when Col’s son Scott took over from his father.

Rex pays tribute to two special horses who got him away to a flying start as a trainer in his own right. He recalls his association with the legendary Jim Atkins.

He remembers a trip to Sydney and some memorable conversations with legendary trainer Neville Begg.

Rex looks back on two Weetwood Hcp wins and four Toowoomba Cups.

He pays tribute to several of his all time favourite horses including Star Shiraz who provided his first Gr 1 win.

The trainer acknowledges the talents of some of his all time favourite jockeys.

Rex nominates a couple of “profit pointers” from his fourteen horse team. Great to swap a few racing yarns with a legend of Queensland racing

Episode 274: Greg Childs

Hard to believe it’s coming up 13 years since Greg Childs brought down the curtain on a career that brought him a special place among the top riders of his generation. He begins by outlining his current role as a manufacturer and distributor of equine safety vests.

Greg takes us back to his apprenticeship at Hawera on the North Island, and pays tribute to the first top horse he got to ride. He also makes mention of another “gun” apprentice who was rising rapidly through the ranks.

He talks of his first trip overseas at the invitation of an American friend. He rode 7 winners in a short time and competed on some iconic race tracks.

Greg recalls his very first trip to Melbourne with trainers Ray Verner and Peter Hurdle. He ran third in the 1990 Melbourne Cup which really whetted his appetite for Australian racing.

The former champion jockey reminisces about the horses and horsemen who got him started in a new country. It was a three months trial period. He never returned to NZ.

Greg talks of a Hong Kong win on the top mare Romanee Conti, and his first Melbourne premiership win- a performance that earned him a special accolade.

He looks back on Group 1 wins on the talented South Aussie Gold Guru and an exciting straight six win on Final Card to give young Anthony Cummings his first success at the elite level.

Admirers of a good horse will hang on every word as Greg remembers his fantastic journey with Sunline, and his unbeaten winning streak on Northerly.

He talks of his twin children Tayla and Jordan who’ve made flying starts to their riding careers. Greg gives us an insight into those special occasions when he offers advice to the kids.

Episode 273: Les Bridge

Great to catch up with 83 year old Les Bridge who has maintained an amazing winning strike rate throughout his long career. Les found an unattended TV monitor to watch the running of the TAB Everest by himself.

He talks of the circumstances that brought Classique Legend into his stable and the short but spectacular racing career of the horse he rates the best he’s ever trained.

Les says he knew he’d be losing the horse after The Everest but will now concentrate on other horses in his stable owned by Bon Ho.

The veteran horseman talks of his family’s friendship with the legendary broadcaster Ken Howard who died in 1976. He remembers spending many days in Ken’s  broadcast box in the days before commentators were allowed on course.

Les goes back to his days as an apprentice jockey. He rode a few winners but didn’t rate himself at all as a race rider. He does recall two well known horses he got to ride.

He talks of the flying start he made as a professional trainer. At first he seemed to have a stableful of stayers but that all changed when Sir Dapper came along.

Les reflects on the deeds of the wonderful Sir Dapper who won 13 from only 18 starts. He also gave the trainer his first Gr 1 victory. He was sorry to see the son of Vain retire to stud very early.

Les got back to training stayers when Kensei came out of the blue. Carefully managed and beautifully placed the son of Blarney Kiss peaked on the day to win the 1987 Melbourne Cup with Larry Olsen up. Les shares his memories of a great journey with Kensei.

He remembers a lightly framed, plain looking little horse called Drawn who belied his looks to win three Gr 1’s.

Many will be surprised to learn that Hot Danish is the trainer’s all time favourite horse. Les gives his reasons.

Les has used the services of several top class jockeys over the years. He pays tribute to some of them.

He talks of the tragic loss of his wife Peggy six years ago.

The great horseman speaks of his health scare last year when hospitalised with gangrenous appendix.

This is one for those racing fans who’ve been around for a while.

Episode 272: Linda Monds - Tyreel Stud

There was plenty of excitement at the Inglis Classic sale a few years ago, when a new vendor sold a sale topping grey colt by Not A Single Doubt. That colt has since won 6 races including last year’s TAB Everest. That seller Linda Monds is much better known today.

Linda talks of the apprehension she and husband Laurence felt when they took on the well established breeders.

She talks of her original purchase of broodmares which included Pinocchio, the grey mare destined to become Classique Legend’s dam.

Linda talks of Classique Legend’s half brother Aethero who went to a Hong Kong buyer as a yearling. He’s already a Gr 2 winner. She also sings the praises of another half brother, the unraced Fairy Legend who’s in the care of John and Gary Moore.

She talks of her involvement in the Behemoth story. The giant gelding was born and reared at Linda’s Tyreel Stud before being sold as a weanling.

Linda talks of her husband Laurence who plays a major role in the day to day running of Tyreel Stud in the Hawkesbury Valley. Sons Ben and Blake work away from the farm, but help out when needed.

She talks of the all night vigils during the foaling season and pays tribute to the dedicated Tyreel team.

Linda talks of her association with Inglis and her upcoming draft at the Classic Sale 7-9 February.

Episode 271: Helen Page

Great to catch up with a trailblazer of the early Sydney female training ranks. Helen talks about her move from Warwick Farm to the Gold Coast in 1997- a decision she has never regretted.

She talks of the loyal new owners who supported the stable when she arrived in Queensland, and three new acquisitions from the Gold Coast Sale.

The talented horsewoman highlights two outstanding horses she’s had the pleasure to train from her Gold Coast stables.

Helen takes us back to her childhood days at Warialda (NSW) and her earliest introduction to horses. She pays tribute to parents Bob and Rosalie who loved horses as much as she did.

She tells the story of the wonderful Xmas day when she and her brother got the surprise of their lives.

Helen talks of Uni days at Armidale and her subsequent experience as an Infants School teacher- she loved every minute of her work at some remote country schools.

The trainer looks back on a transfer to Sydney and her second job as a trackwork rider for Tommy Smith.

Helen’s love of the show horse led her to Moliere, a former racehorse who went on to become a legend on the circuit. How she loved that horse!

She reflects on her snap decision to become a trainer. She put one of her show horses into training to win her first race at Wyong.

Helen talks of her first city winner, and the T.J Smith “cast-off” Haida Prince. She won the Gr 2 Todman trial with the former rogue.

The trainer pays tribute to her favourite horses with special mention of Magnolia Hall. This was the horse to provide her supreme racing thrill when he finished third in a Melbourne Cup.

Helen acknowledges the talents of two star stable apprentices John Powell and Shane Edmonds.

She gives much of the credit for her success to husband John Page, a former top trainer in the tough Sydney market. John won hundreds of races, but is best remembered for his wizardry with the unsound triple Derby winner Royal Sovereign.

 

Episode 270: Leon Fox

Great to catch up with 78 year old Leon Fox now in retirement in his hometown of Inverell. Leon trained horses for 20 years following a stellar riding career which saw him dubbed the “George Moore of the bush”.

Leon begins by paying tribute to his father Les Fox to whom he was apprenticed. He talks of his ordinary effort on the occasion of his first race ride, and the thrill of his first win in a little border town called Texas.

He talks of a very successful apprenticeship and the approaches he got from Sydney trainers who were keen to use his allowance.

Leon was overawed to rub shoulders with legends like Ted McMenamin, Darby Munro and Jim Pike.

The former ace jockey reflects on the day he shared in a precious piece of racing history. Two wins on the same day on the same horse at a Warwick Farm Saturday meeting.

Leon remembers the contract he was offered when Hong Kong racing went professional in the early 70’s. He stayed for 8 years.

 

He has some wonderful tales to tell about his Hong Kong experience, including a bomb scare at Happy Valley.

 

Leon talks of his association with some legendary jockeys including the man who rode to fame and fortune on the back of Secretariat.

Fox talks of his return to Australia and the life of a bush jockey. He reflects on the many highlights of his years on Northern NSW tracks, including the horrific fall in the 1988 Inverell Cup. He stayed on his feet to win that Cup.

Leon says he was one of the lucky ones when it comes to injury. He did however miss 27 months at one stage with a complicated leg break.

He pays tribute to the two bush jockeys for whom he had special admiration.

Leon looks back on one extraordinary sequence of wins he achieved on North Western tracks.

Switching to his years as a trainer, he talks affectionately of his favourite horse Tree Lopper.

The accomplished horseman makes special mention of sons Alan and Tim, and his devoted wife Jenny.

Leon was a bit of a fashion plate during his racing days. It was common to see him turn up at a bush meeting dressed to the nines. He doesn’t deny it!

For veteran racing men and for younger fans curious about Australian racing in the 50’s through to the 80’s, this is a must listen podcast.

Episode 269: Tommy Berry

It’s great to catch up with Tommy Berry who’s currently in second place on both the NSW and metropolitan jockeys premierships. Tom talks about the fierce competition in the Sydney riding ranks.

He outlines his very busy trackwork format.

Tom talks about his apprenticeship to his father and chief tutor Kevin Berry. 

The champion young jockey looks back on a frightening accident which could have turned him off horses forever.

He looks back on his inauspicious debut at Hawkesbury, and an exciting maiden win at Newcastle on a mare trained by his father.

Tommy reflects on his Magic Millions win on Karuta Queen and the unforgettable thrill of his first Gr 1.

He looks back on a thrilling Gr 1 double at Randwick in 2012. The two races were only 45 minutes apart.

The twenty nine year old pays tribute to the filly who gave him the first of his two Golden Slipper wins. He wasn’t even sure he’d retain the Slipper ride at one stage.

He reminisces about his first Gr 1 for the Waller stable and the injury sustained by his mother Julie only 24 hours earlier.

Tommy is heavy hearted as he talks about the loss of his twin brother Nathan who had taken ill during a riding stint in Singapore. He remembers the imported horse who lifted his spirits after the family tragedy.

He looks back on his two rides on Winx- a win in the Phar Lap Stakes, and an unlucky fifth in the Vinery stud stakes.  

Tom reflects on his amazing association with Chautauqua- 5 Gr 1 wins including the T.J Smith three times. Memories of the third one still give him tingles.

He has mixed feelings about his involvement with Hong Kong racing. Some of his short term visits were very successful. His long term association with John Moore had its ups and downs. He did ride a couple of special horses in Hong Kong.

Tommy acknowledges Pierata- the horse to regenerate his career following his return from Hong Kong. He was thrilled to get the job done for an old Warwick Farm mate in trainer Greg Hickman.

The top jockey pays tribute to his wife Sharnee who was the first to  recognize her husband’s battle with depression in 2019. She made him do something about it.

Tommy gives us a run down on life with four young children on his Dural farm. 

Episode 268: Norm Lang

It’s now twelve years since Norm Lang put away the harness and hopples for the last time. The game of bowls now commands his full attention.

The eighty five year old has vivid memories of his exciting journey with Steel Jaw- the $5000 horse he took from a maiden pace to a NZ Cup in a very short time. He covers the whole Steel Jaw story, and for trots fans it’s riveting listening.

Norm takes us back to his days as an Ampol agent at Mittagong, and his introduction to trotting by local trainer George Walton.

He remembers his first winning drive at Canowindra and the near accident before he even left the parade yard.

The veteran horseman recalls his purchase of a broodmare and the success he had with her two foals.

Norm pays tribute to a select group of horses who took him to a prominent spot on the Harold Park trainer’s ladder.

He talks about the reputation he enjoyed of being able to keep horses up for long periods of time.

Norm quit race driving in the 1991/92 season but continued to train for another 17 years. He explains the reason for that surprise decision.

Sounding much younger than his 85 years, Norm Lang reviews a very rewarding career.

Episode 267: Terry Henderson OTI Racing & Bloodstock

Great to catch up with the man who co-founded OTI Racing and Bloodstock in 1999 with high profile sportsman and TV personality Simon O’Donnell. He talks of his early life in Melbourne and the pacer who triggered his fascination with horses.

Terry looks back on the creation of his company Pacers Australia which syndicated two horses destined for greatness. The duo won three Miracle Miles and many Gr 1 races between them.

Terry talks of his good fortune in being invited to join the ownership syndicate which raced the wonderful galloper Doriemus- winner of 3.5 million dollars. 

He takes us back to his time at night school and his own company Henderson Consultants which he later sold to French interests.

Terry talks of the origins of the famous OTI colours.

The devoted horse lover profiles many of the good horses to carry the OTI colours in recent years.

Terry talks of company policy regarding horses purchased overseas.

He acknowledges the many trainers employed by OTI in Australia and overseas.

Terry pays tribute to Susan, his wife of 51 years and to his children and grandchildren. 

Episode 266: Pat Webster

Pat says this may well be his final interview. I doubt that strongly, but either way it’s a tribute to a man who endeared himself to the Sydney racing world for almost 6 decades. He reviews an emotional day at Newcastle on Dec 5th when he saddled his final runner.

He talks of the heartfelt tribute paid to him by the ATC at a Randwick meeting the following week.

Pat talks about his long time role as a drugs and alcohol consultant for Racing NSW- a role he hopes to continue for a long time to come.

The experienced horseman reflects on his initial indentureship to Betty Lane in the tiny township of Geurie, and his time with astute trainer Bernie Byrnes at Randwick.

Pat remembers the horses who contributed to his successful apprenticeship with special mention of a grand little horse called Medieval Maestro.

He recalls the horror fall at Rosehill which left him with a long list of injuries, and virtually ended his riding career.

Pat looks back on six years away from racing when he gained a rigger’s certificate and worked on the Sydney waterfront.

Inverell born Webster talks of his entry into the Sydney training ranks and the wonderful horses to shape his new career. He loved all of them, none more than his once in a lifetime horse Happy Clapper.

Pat acknowledges the support of owners, with special mention of Gerry Harvey who’s had horses in his stable for many years. He says their very first meeting wasn’t a friendly one.

The retiring trainer talks of the biography he released in 2020 with the appropriate title of “Don’t Die Wondering”.  He was surprised to learn recently that a reprint of the book is under way.

Pat talks of his move to a Central Coast property which affords him easy access to northern race meetings where he’s mentoring young participants.