John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
The outstanding young sports commentator talks of the pressures associated with the job during the famous Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Matt outlines his reasons for leaving the top race caller’s job in Sydney, to become an AFL commentator for ABC radio in Melbourne.
He recalls the shock he received when he heard of Greg Miles’ impending retirement on a news broadcast. He was on holiday in England when he learned the job was his.
Matt recalls school days in Melbourne and his role as race day assistant to both Brian Martin and Greg Miles.
He looks back on many race calling opportunities he’s had around the world. Some in a guest capacity, others on assignment. He’s loved every one of them.
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
We catch up with Stephen Baster whose infectious smile has been a part of Victorian racing for almost thirty years.
The popular jockey explains his decision to quit the saddle recently for a new career in real estate.
Steve talks of the fairy tale ending when he won a Group 3 race at his very last ride.
He reveals that he’s been thinking of a career change for some time.
Steve looks back on his first apprenticeship with Mark Riley who put him on a Group 1 winner as a 3KG claiming apprentice.
He talks of his lucky run in the famous sprint races the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket.
He pays tribute to the grand mare Divine Madonna and talks of his early association with Gai Waterhouse.
Stephen reflects on his Melbourne Cup rides and the thrill of a third placing for Aidan O’Brien.
He makes special mention of Awesome Rock, Pinot and the horse he says was the best he ever rode the brilliant Lion Hunter. He said the grey stallion was robbed of Group 1 glory by a career ending injury.
Steve talks of his marriage to jockey Melissa Walters the mother of his adored daughters Izzy and Penny.
The former jockey talks of his obsession with fitness, his love of the triathlon and his surprise appearance on Ninja Warrior.
Punters loved smiling Stephen Baster and I’m sure they’ll enjoy his post retirement podcast.
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Great to catch up with popular Malcolm Fitzgerald who looks back on a horror two weeks in which the bushfires came dangerously close to the Racing NSW property he manages near Taree.
Mal talks of the job he loves, as he and partner Holly supervise the welfare of 60 former racehorses at Oxley Island. The couple assess and place suitable horses in the right homes.
Mal reflects on his childhood with foster parents and the ambition to become a jockey.
He talks of early days as a bush apprentice and the opportunity that led him to a job with the huge Nebo Lodge operation at Rosehill.
Mal looks back on a torturous battle with weight which almost certainly contributed to the bout of encephalitis that sidelined him for 9 months.
Through the toughest of times Malcolm Fitzgerald has never lost his sense of humour. It’s very evident all the way through this chat with one of racing’s good blokes.
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
An absorbing chat with a Nyngan based jockey who turns 27 this week. She explains the reason for her move from Tamworth to drought ravaged Nyngan.
Wendy talks about her endless trip from Nyngan to ride at a recent Toowoomba meeting, and the return trip to the Warren (NSW) races the following day.
She recalls her early introduction to horses and the many disciplines she learned in the saddle.
Wendy takes us through her experiences on stud farms at home and overseas.
She identifies the turning point. The moment she knew she wanted to be a jockey.
Wendy reflects on a stint with Gai Waterhouse and apprenticeships to Peter Robl at Randwick and Sue Grills at Tamworth.
She looks back on a horror fall at Tamworth in March which caused major damage to her right shoulder.
Wendy pays tribute to her favourite horses and horse people.
This lady was born to ride. There’s nothing else she’d rather do. A great listen is Wendy Peel.
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
This is a different kind of podcast. Rather than talk to an established racehorse syndicator, we introduce a man who has just started out in a tough business.
David Thompson talks of a love of racing born when he struck a profitable Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1993.
He recalls the win by Fraar and the dream that led him to coupling the horse with a bank of Melbourne Cup runners. He bought a car out of the winnings.
Dave talks of a job redundancy and a sudden illness that laid him low for a full year.
He recalls the support of wife Jacqui who encouraged him to have a crack at racehorse syndication.
Dave recalls his first yearling sale at Scone, and the second at Inglis 2018 Classic Sale. So far he’s purchased only three yearlings. One is yet to be syndicated.
He talks of the people who’ve joined him so far with a couple of touching stories thrown in.
Dave reflects on the TAB Sponsorship that allowed Thompson Thoroughbreds to sponsor a race at Albury.
This is a bloke who’s following a dream.
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
The talented jockey talks of his busy life and the arduous travelling he does to attend country and provincial meetings.
Christian talks of school days in Queensland and the unlikely subject he took a liking to.
He talks of his apprenticeship to the man destined to become his father in law. He looks back on an accident that could have finished his career before it started.
Christian talks of his very first race ride, and the thrill of his first win.
The popular jockey reveals that he was diagnosed with depression as a teenager.
Christian talks with total honesty about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction.
He reflects on an offer to become stable jockey for Graham Rogerson at Randwick. The winners continued to flow despite his emotional problems.
The jockey looks back on his nervous breakdown and months of rehabilitation.
He talks of the moment he knew he wanted to ride again.
Christian recalls his return to Sydney and the resurgence of his career with the support of many trainers.
He pays tribute to the best horses he’s ridden. There’s one in particular for whom he has high praise.
Christian talks of the two most important people in his life, wife Bettina and daughter Scarlett who’s showing great promise as a dancer.
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Blake looks back on school holidays at Moree with his late grandfather, one of his valued tutors.
The young jockey reflects on his apprenticeship to Newcastle trainer Steve Hodge.
He talks of the magic moment when he won at his very first race ride.
Blake looks back on the unforgettable day at Rosehill when he rode five winners on a Saturday programme.
He pays tribute to Sir John Hawkwood, the imported English horse who gave him a maiden Group 1 victory.
He looks back on the days when his manager was his mother Leanda
Blake remembers the good horses and the trainers who’ve helped him along the way.
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Blake talks of the nasty fall at Hawkesbury which cost him many months of race riding.
He expands on his current situation at the regular Newcastle and Kembla Saturday meetings where his services are being used by Godolphin and other high profile stables.
Blake talks of his impending marriage to Rachel King and the way in which he popped the question.
Blake reflects on his childhood as the son of busy jockey Dale Spriggs who refused some tempting offers to come to town.
He reflects on school days when he showed special talents in athletics and on the soccer field.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Anybody who watches Sky Racing on Saturday nights will be aware of the achievements of Skye Bogenhuber at the regular Toowoomba meetings in recent years.
The thoroughly professional jockey has won 5 Toowoomba premierships, and went very close to a sixth.
Skye talks of her recent return to the saddle following a six months enforced lay off. She suffered a bleed to the brain in a nasty fall at the Toowoomba jump outs, and faced a long period of rehabilitation.
You’ll enjoy her recollections of life growing up in the NSW Blue Mountains, and her trips to the local Pub and Club TAB with her late father Joe.
She talks of her passion for athletics during school days, and an obsession with training.
Skye reflects on her time as a student at the Uni of NSW. She has never forgotten the moment she spotted a racehorse from her classroom window opposite Randwick racecourse.
She takes us through her learning period in riding tuition at the Richmond TAFE, and her subsequent apprenticeships in Grafton and Brisbane.
The Bogenhuber journey from those early days has been quite an adventure. Early on she had to drive hundreds of kilometres to get a ride at small meetings in Queensland.
Now she’s often called “The Queen Of Clifford Park”. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Skye Bogenhuber’s story.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Just on a year ago I had the pleasure of recording a lengthy chat with a man who has been a major player in the ranks of Australia’s harness racing drivers for 45 years.
Gavin Lang at age 60 is currently battling a rare form of lymphoma at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital. He’s a week into his second round of chemotherapy, and is uppermost in the thoughts of his fans and friends around the nation.
If you missed the podcast on its initial posting, I hope you can tune in this time to hear the legendary horseman reflect on a stellar career.
He talks of his return to the training ranks after years of freelance race driving.
He talks of the miles he’s travelled to achieve 6300 career wins.
He pays tribute to his father Graham Lang, himself a master horseman and a wonderful tutor in the early days.
Gavin reflects on the long list of outstanding horses he’s had the pleasure to drive.
He talks of his role models among Victoria’s driving ranks of the 70’s and 80’s.
His current illness is not his first. He recalls another major scare more than a decade ago, and his subsequent recovery.
Enjoy a trip down memory lane courtesy of HRNSW, with a giant of the sport.