John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
This brilliant young Sydney jockey is entitled to think he’s used up all of his bad luck. He looks back on the nasty fall at Rosehill on July 25th which left him with a long list of injuries- his second major race fall in fifteen months.
Andrew expresses his sympathy for the owners of his mount Hot ‘N’ Hazy who had to be euthanised after the accident.
He talks of the concern shown by Hugh Bowman who incurred a 6 weeks suspension following a stewards investigation into the fall.
The apprentice tells of the surprise visit he had from a fellow Sydney jockey.
Andrew looks back on early years living in a house situated adjacent to the hometurn of the Port Macquarie racecourse.
He talks of his first apprenticeship to a local trainer and a very successful start to his riding career.
Andrew couldn’t believe his luck when Ron Quinton agreed to sign him up as stable apprentice. He actually stopped off at Newcastle on his way down and rode a winner for his future boss.
He looks back on his first city win, and the thrill of becoming champion Sydney apprentice.
The young jockey has never forgotten his two wins on the mare destined for Group 1 glory.
Andrew acknowledges several nice horses he got to ride in Sydney including his all time favourite Daysie Doom. He won seven races on the bonny mare including his only Group 1 to date.
He bravely looks back on another major fall at Randwick in April 2019. His injuries were serious but none of them required surgery.
He still punishes himself about a silly home accident in between the two race falls.
Young Adkins looks at a possible date for his return to the saddle.
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
The former brilliant jockey discusses the higher scale of weights in the current era. He says today’s heavier jockeys get their chance to stay in the game for longer periods.
Lenny looks back on the nightmare years when he’d have to lose 4-5 kgs in a single day.
He takes us back to childhood days in Wollongong when a neighbour loaned him a little grey pony. Later he got his own pony, but it didn’t have the nicest disposition.
Lenny talks of his first indentureship at Gulgong, and his second with Kembla trainer Bernie Howlett.
He reflects on his first winner at Queanbeyan and his initial city success.
Lenny looks back on his apprenticeship transfer to Kerry Jordan at Rosehill.
The former top jockey remembers his first Gr 1 win down Flemington’s famous “ straight six” course.
He pays tribute to some outstanding horses who contributed to his Gr 1 CV, with special mention of Belle Du Jour’s unforgettable win in the 2000 Golden Slipper.
Lenny looks back on amazing twists of fate that saved him from involvement in two of the world’s most horrific modern disasters.
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
This is an absorbing chat with one of Perth’s all time favourite media personalities, and a man who gave trots commentary a new twist.
John Hunt stepped away from the microphone in 2008 after twenty years as Sky and Gloucester Park’s resident commentator during which time he put some zing into the job.
John was only 51 and right at the top of his game, but he had further horizons to explore.
He reviews his first two books- one about a champion WA race mare, the other about his life in the media.
John takes us back to his teen years when he won 200 junior tennis titles, and looked set for a career in the pro ranks. He talks of the injury that decimated his dream. He pays tribute to his sister Lesley, who was once ranked number 6 in the world.
He looks back on his favourite harness horses and the people behind them.
John talks of the satisfaction he derived from producing video documentaries on the careers of his favourite horses.
Few people would be aware that John Hunt played a key role in the formative months of Alan Bond’s new acquisition Skychannel. John was the original host on the fledgling satellite station which began life in a back room at Channel 9’s Perth studios.
He looks back on twenty years at the iconic Gloucester Park track, and the many cliches he introduced behind the microphone. Some are quoted to this day.
Hunty answers the questions with all the colour and flair that made him a household name during his distinguished career.
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Great to catch up with the man who won last year’s Kosciuszko with Handle The Truth and hopes to do it again with the same horse next month.
Keith talks about his great day at Wagga last week when he dominated the programme.
He talks about the thrill of winning the rich Kosciuszko last year and the training regime he’s following with Handle The Truth this time around.
Keith talks about the bad habits the gelding displayed early in his career.
The veteran trainer talks about the line breeding theory that brought Handle The Truth into the world, and the racing name suggested by breeder Louie Mihalyka.
He looks back on his first job as a rouseabout in a Dubbo shearing shed and later involvement as a concrete truck contractor.
Keith looks back on the valuable lessons he received from a veteran Canberra trainer.
He reflects on the deeds of his very first winner, and the good horses that eventually came into his stables.
Keith remembers the time he overspent his budget on a colt he selected with syndicator Louie Mihalyka whose Laurel Oak company was getting on its feet.
He reviews the career of the colt known as Into The Night who went on to win ten times his purchase price.
Keith recalls his brush with racing royalty when Lester Piggot won on one of his horses during a world farewell tour.
Keith looks at the future prospects of some promising horses who’ll soon be back in work following a winter break.
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
We catch up with a former Hawkesbury trainer who surprised friends and clients when he slipped away from racing four years ago. Warwick explains the reasons for his departure.
He gives the impression he hasn’t completely dismissed a return to training down the track.
Warwick looks back on his childhood days in the saddle, and gives great credit to the work being done by the Pony Club movement around Australia. He remembers his transition to showjumpers.
He recalls riding trackwork for his father at Hawkesbury , and a brief career as an amateur jockey.
Warwick looks back on work experience in the Ray Guy stable, a short stint on a stud farm and his first experience as a trainer in his own right.
He looks back on a decade operating his own poultry farm at Kellyville.
The sixty six year old recalls his modest start as a full time trainer and pays tribute to a few special horses who got him on his way.
Warwick capsulises the career of Prince Trialia, the horse who didn’t attract a bid at the yearling sales. He delights in telling the story of the little horse who went on to win $692,000 and two Doomben $10,000’s (then the Castlemaine Stakes).
The former trainer tells a great story about his brush with racing royalty- the day renowned English jockey Lester Piggot rode one of his horses at a Wellington Boot meeting.
Warwick makes special mention of 5 time metro winning mare Lady Bureaucrat and her full brother Mr. Bureaucrat who gave him his third Gr 1- the 2002 Doomben Cup.
He tells the story of his chance meeting with the owners of the former Group 1 winner Straussbrook. The horse was near death with a chronic scouring complaint. How Warwick brought him back to health and got him back to the races is an amazing story.
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Delighted to catch up with outstanding Sydney trainer John Thompson who’s coming off a great 2019/2020 season. John acknowledges the deeds of his “war horse” Dreamforce and the exciting Mamaragan who’s gearing up for an ambitious Spring campaign.
The trainer pays tribute to some other stable favourites who did their bit in 2019/2020.
John shares memories of his late grandfather Vic Thompson Snr, one of the most astute horseman of his era.
He looks back on his father’s appointment as head trainer when Jack and Bob Ingham opened their lavish Crown Lodge complex at Warwick Farm.
The trainer reflects on Vic Thompson Jnr’s split with Crown Lodge . His Dad decided to train a small team of his own, with John as his right hand man.
John talks about his later decision to spread his wings and work for other trainers. He enjoyed his time with Bill Mitchell who sent him interstate with a very good horse in 1999.
He speaks with great reverence of his 8 years with the maestro Bart Cummings.
John tells the story of the phone call that led him to the biggest training job in Australian racing.
He remembers the best horses he trained under the Patinack banner including a very special mare who had only 4 race starts.
The trainer tells the story of a chance meeting with an Asian racing administrator who invited him to help with the structuring of a racing industry in China. It was just the diversion he needed at the time.
That Asian connection brought a certain mare into his life- the mare who regenerated his training career at home.
He was extremely relieved when some discerning owners started to send him horses again. One such owner was Paul Fudge who got John to take over the training of the imported Sir John Hawkwood. It resulted in a Gr 1 win.
John talks of his wife Nicolle who’s a daughter of former multiple Gr 1 winning trainer Rod Craig. He says he gets his father-in-law to help out from time to time.
He explains that the racing genes haven’t extended to the next Thompson generation.
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
The champion jockey talks about his decision to base himself in Sydney at the expiration of a 15 months disqualification incurred in Hong Kong.
Nash will never forget his return to race riding at Kembla Grange in July 2019. He says it was a day of high emotion.
He talks of the exciting Randwick wins that put him straight back into his position among Sydney’s best jockeys.
The forty five year old talks of the influence of his father Keith, a remarkable horseman who’s still riding work in his mid 70’s. Nash makes special mention of his jockey siblings.
Nash recalls two apprenticeships- one to his uncle Stuart, the other to John Sadler.
He pays tribute to two trainers who gave him great support when he came out of his time.
The jockey looks back on his association with the brilliant Elvstroem who took him all over the world.
Nash remembers exactly what he was doing when a life changing phone call came from Gai Waterhouse.
He reviews the special horses to take him to racing’s dizziest heights, with special mention of Pierro and More Joyous.
Nash can’t hide his pride at the achievements of his son Campbell who rode 75 winners in Victoria in his first season.
He concludes the interview with comments on two very good horses he’ll be riding through the Spring Carnival.
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
John recalls the tragedy that dealt the cruellest of blows to the Ledger family- the Corowa race fall that claimed the life of twenty five year old son Adrian.
The trainer acknowledges the tremendous work being done by the National Jockeys Trust to assist the families of jockeys killed or injured in the racing industry.
John reflects on his acquisition of a nearby property he named in honour of his late son. He talks of the support he receives from sons, Chris,Brad, Travis and wife Kerri.
The outstanding horseman looks back on the special horses who’ve shaped his training career, and makes special mention of valued client Mick Price.
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
In part 1 John talks about his decision to move the training operation from Yarrawonga to Wangaratta when the travelling started to wear him down.
He looks back on the establishment of his state of the art complex on twenty acres behind the Wangaratta racecourse.
John takes us back to childhood days at Mulwayla where his love affair with horses began.
He looks back on his time in the show jumping arena and one special horse who took him to lofty heights.
John pays tribute to his late brother George who died much too soon in 1998. He talks of Rich Fields Lad, the best horse George ever trained.
He explains why he was forced to take out a trainer’s licence, and the special horses who kick started a new phase of his career.
John talks of the horse he inherited after George’s passing. He went on to win 15 races with the free striding Brave Chief including 11 in town. He recalls the frightening colic attack which could have taken Brave Chief’s life.
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
The popular caller and radio host talks about his recent retirement from the airwaves, and his intention to continue with another of his skills- the art of auctioneering.
Kim talks about his reaction to calling home a winner at Walcha recently at odds of $126.00- he remained composed even though he part owned the mare.
He talks of his love of riding and his first lesson at age 4.
Kim talks of his education at the famous Scots College where one of his mates was the future father of a champion jockey.
The versatile commentator has never forgotten the day his uncle took him to an Inglis sale. It had an enormous impact on the teenager.
Kim looks back on frequent visits to the greyhounds and his race calling practice sessions at Harold Park and Canterbury.
He looks back on the country clubs to get him started as a race caller, and the chance meeting with a former NSW Premier that led to a job with a Sydney radio station.
Kim reflects on the tragic road accident that claimed the life of his wife Barbara twelve years ago. He talks of the son and daughter who between them, have given him five grandchildren.
The 69 year old has been following racing very closely since the early 70’s. He pays tribute to his favourite horse of that era. You might be surprised.
He talks of his all time favourite country horse, an iron gelding who won 36 races on NSW tracks in the 1990’s.
Kim makes special mention of the best horse he’s ever owned or part owned.
He nominates his favourite jockey from yesteryear, and his current favourite.
Kim closes with a look at his immediate plans in the auctioneering business.