John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
In Part 2 Mark remembers his very first winner- a speed machine called Tudor Vain. Ray Guy also provided his first city winner.
Mark pays tribute to his role models from the riding ranks in the 1970’s.
He talks of his first Group 1 winner. He still wonders how he ever got on a Theo Green trained horse.
Mark looks back on his happy association with trainers like Les Bridge and Tommy Smith.
The former jockey’s recollections of his association with the talented Myocard make fascinating listening. There are some interesting sidelights.
Mark reflects on his many broken bones and the time he spent on the sidelines.
He highlights the gallant grey Quick Flick who gave him 9 wins including a Group 1.
De Montfort’s account of his Slipper win on Catbird is absorbing. He says the late scratching of Redoute’s Choice changed everything.
He talks of his wife Carol and the undying support she has given him through the years.
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
In Part 1 Mark outlines his current training situation at Warwick Farm. He rarely works more than half a dozen horses, and takes them where they are best suited.
He talks of his passion for riding trackwork and the injury he suffered two years ago.
Mark acknowledges some of the jockeys who’ve ridden for the stable in recent times.
He recalls the circumstances under which he quit the saddle to take on a training career.
He talks of some of the horses who helped launch his new career. His favourite was McClintock with whom he won over half a million dollars in prize money.
Mark looks back on his original apprenticeship to an old world horseman called Frank Penfold. He says no beginner could have had a better tutor.
He talks of his transfer to Ray Guy and his early winners.
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
We talk to Allan about the emotion attached to his final call at his home track on Australia Day 2020.
The veteran broadcaster acknowledges the moving gesture by his son Quentin who called a race in his Dad’s honour five days earlier.
Allan takes us on a trip down memory lane to his childhood at Gregadoo and his apprenticeship as a fitter and machinist.
He talks of the early breaks that were to lead him to a lifelong career as a race caller.
Allan looks back on his association with the legendary broadcaster and journalist Ted Ryder, the doyen of all Riverina commentators.
He recalls his start at the little daytime trotting meetings, and his elevation to the top job in the region when Ted Ryder passed away in 1979.
You’ll enjoy Allan’s recollections about the great horses he called early in their careers, and the legendary trainers and jockeys he highlighted throughout his broadcasting days.
Riverina thoroughbred and harness racing is richer for the 40 year contribution of Allan Hull. This is his story..
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Jonathan talks of his youth in Queensland as the son of one of Australia’s first female tipsters. He was always with his mother Jill in the 4BC studios where she was a regular on a Friday night racing programme.
He reflects on his job as race day assistant to the great caller Vince Curry at tracks like Gatton, Kilcoy and Beaudesert.
Jonathan reflects on two happy experiences at Queensland’s Coolbadah Stud, and Joe Manning’s “ Woodburn” property at Cootamundra. He takes us through his time at Glenormiston College in Victoria, and the work experience stint destined to change his life.
He previews the famous Classic Sale which starts this year’s round of Inglis Sales for 2020. It gets under way on Sunday Feb 9th.
Jonathan looks back on two disasters to occur during his time with the company- the collapse of the Cups King Syndicates in 1989, and the unthinkable botulism outbreak during the 1993 Easter Sale. He outlines the background of these low points in the history of Inglis.
The Inglis stalwart looks back on some of the most memorable horses he’s knocked down during his auctioneering career. He remembers another very famous one he had to pass in.
Of all the great sales with which Jonathan has been associated the 2008 Easter sale is the one he remembers best. He explains why it was so significant. Jonathan’s a good listen.
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
In Part 2 Danny reflects on the thrill of riding his first Group 1 winner. He had to go to Melbourne to do it.
He pays tribute to the best horse he ever rode, the versatile Grand Armee. Danny’s record on the gelding included 6 Group 1’s. He loved this free striding racing machine.
Danny fondly remembers his association with the brilliant two year old filly Victory Vein. He still blames himself for her Golden Slipper defeat.
He talks of the thrill of finally winning a Slipper on Polar Success in 2003.
He remembers several other Group performers he had the privilege to ride.
Danny talks of his Singapore experience which brought him another 500 winners.
He tells us about his new Singapore family, and his 16 year old Australian born son Baxter
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
In Part 1 Danny talks of his sudden decision to quit the saddle and his move into the Singapore training ranks.
He talks of his association with Lim Siah Mong, who has an enormous investment in Singapore racing.
The former top jockey reflects on his early days in the Riverina, and pays tribute to his father Bob whose riding career was terminated by a race fall.
Danny talks of the day he answered an SOS from Graeme Begg to make a dash to Rosehill for two rides. Both horses won.
He looks back on a stint at Flemington with the Freedman stable, and the opportunities he was given by David Hayes who had stables next door.
Danny talks of his time with Graeme Begg and the trip to Hong Kong which changed his career. Back in Sydney he couldn’t wait to try out the European style of race riding.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
In Part 2 Max remembers the lucky day when he bought a share in Savabeel, the Zabeel colt destined to become a Cox Plate winner and a very successful stallion.
He reviews Savabeel’s racing career and his subsequent move to the famous Waikato Stud in NZ where he’s gone on to sire around 100 stakes winners.
Max reflects on the devastating stock market crash of 1987. He lost everything and actually went back to work at the famous Bourbon and Beefsteak at King’s Cross.
He sadly reflects on the premature passing of the girl he married when he was just 21 years old. Jen, his wife of 46 years succumbed to cancer 18 months ago.
Max reflects on his Grafton Cup win with First Crush. Jen knew how badly he wanted to win that Cup, but was too ill to attend.
He looks back on some of the best horses he’s owned or part owned including Honour In War who angered the crowd when he took the Villiers off Takeover Target on protest.
Max talks of his love of a punt. He’s not a form student but absorbs everything he hears at the track and bets late.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
It was a treat to catch up with the ebullient Max Whitby. In Part 1 Max talks of his current role as Managing Director of Propex Derivatives- a respected proprietary trading firm.
He explains the role of another company Envirobank Recycling which provides litter solutions for beverage.
Max proudly explains the operation of his syndication company Mi Runners which has brought close to 5000 new owners into racing. He loves this venture.
He talks of his participation in the Everest Slot Holders concept. No luck so far, but he’s having another crack this year.
Max takes us back to his childhood at Bangalow (NSW) and the influence of his grandfather on his life.
He remembers his days as a jackeroo on the Amaroo cattle station, and the extraordinary circumstances that brought him to Sydney and to the Texas Tavern at King’s Cross.
Max talks with affection of Bernie Houghton, a Sydney based American who took a shine to the young bloke from Bangalow.
He talks of his new job with the rural commodity firm Nicholls, and his instant fascination with the Futures Market.
Max reflects on the establishment of his own business L Quay Futures Brokers, and the subsequent sale of the company to ABN Amro.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
In this segment the 3 time premiership winning jockey remembers the great trainer Jack Green who took a liking to the curly haired kid from the Begg stable.
Kevin recalls the help he got from George Ryder who had introduced the ARABS racing syndicates designed to bring smaller owners into the game.
George was another to support young K.Moses.
He recalls his very first winner and his first city treble at Canterbury.
Kev talks of his 1976 Doncaster win on Authentic Heir- a very important win at that stage of his career.
He takes us through his exciting 1980 Golden Slipper win on Dark Eclipse, and the one and only time he got to ride champion Emancipation- one ride for one win in the Edward Manifold Stakes.
He recalls Group 1 winners like Lord Hybrow, Palace Revolt, and All Our Mob.
Kevin dwells on his association with the remarkable Stylish Century. He won a Victoria Derby and an AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the gallant little horse, and was beaten a head by Almaarad in a W.S.Cox Plate.
The sixty seven year old horseman looks back on four successful overseas stints, and relates a funny story revolving around legendary jockey Willie Carson.
Moses recalls the traumatic consequences of his involvement in the “jockey tapes affair” of the mid 90’s.
He looks back on three Sydney riding premierships, and reveals the identity of the jockeys he most admired.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
In Part 1 Moses talks of his current role as a trainer, and a knee problem which requires surgery.
He reflects on the impact of a positive swab returned by one of his horses in 2015 resulting in a shock disqualification.
Kevin looks back on twenty years as a trainer and the nice horses to pass through his hands. He pays tribute to former Gold Coast trainer Alan Bailey who was his mentor in the early days.
He talks of his passion for riding trackwork after becoming a trainer, and pays tribute to son Shane and devoted wife Jenny who put endless hours into the training operation.
Kevin brings us up to date on daughter Tanya and younger son Darren both of whom are running their own businesses. He talks of life as a grandparent.