John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
The popular Gold Coast trainer recalls the horror accident a month ago when he was slammed onto the concrete pavement by a runaway horse.
Toby talks of early days in the NSW Hunter Valley and the wonderful foster family who reared him.
The successful horseman looks back on his modest beginnings as a professional trainer, and one special horse who got him started.
Toby talks of his move to the Gold Coast and the owner who persuaded him to become his private trainer at Warwick Farm.
Edmonds has never forgotten the day he bought a certain colt for Ray Gall at the Inglis Classic sale. He actually won a race with I Am Invincible.
The trainer reflects on the trauma of a positive swab which originally saw him disqualified for six months, later downgraded to a three month suspension.
Toby talks of his appointment as Queensland foreman for the burgeoning Nathan Tinkler empire. He was stunned a year later when that empire collapsed, leaving him high and dry.
Toby takes us through Houtzen’s career from the Magic Millions sale to the hallowed turf of Royal Ascot.
The trainer acknowledges stable favourites like Tyzone, Winter Bride and promising two year old The Drinks Cart who cost his owners $2000. What a fairy tale will emerge if he wins the Magic Millions Classic.
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
In the second segment the champion jockey looks back on his first Group 1 winner as a fully fledged jockey- again provided by T.J.Smith.
Gordon pays tribute to Black Onyx, a great sprinter of the early seventies who gave him a Doomben $10,000 win.
He looks back on his retainer as number two jockey for the powerful Stan Fox stable at Rosehill. He talks of his admiration for the stable’s number one rider, the legendary Athol Mulley.
Gordon talks of a working holiday in England where he rode for leading trainer Sam Armstrong. He remembers many a “weight shedding” jogging session with Armstrong’s son in law Lester Piggott.
He recalls another overseas trip at the suggestion of Irish training legend Dermot Weld. On arriving home he began an association with Jack and Bob Ingham who were spending freely at the yearling sales.
Gordon reflects on his final overseas adventure in Tehran where racing had just begun. The sport was doomed from the moment the Shah was overthrown in 1979.
Old timers will remember the achievements of Gordon Spinks. I hope younger “podcasters” will tune in to learn just how good he was.
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
In part 1 Gordon talks of the heart attack he suffered while driving from Longreach to Brisbane. He didn’t realise he’d had a cardiac issue.
The 72 year old reveals that his heart problems aren’t over yet.
The former outstanding jockey looks back on childhood days in Sydney, and the neighbour’s pony he couldn’t wait to ride.
Gordon reflects on the newspaper advertisement which lured him to Theo Green’s Rosehill stables.
He recalls the track gallops with Theo by his side, and the start of his mateship with fellow apprentice Ron Quinton.
Spinks explains why he preferred to use his middle name, rather than his given one.
Gordon remembers his first winning ride at Mudgee and his first metropolitan winner.
He recalls the beginning of a successful association with T.J.Smith. He was stunned when the champion trainer began giving him Group 1 rides when he was still an apprentice.
Gordon has never forgotten a last to first win on NZ mare Unpainted in the 1968 Doncaster.
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
In Part 2 Matthew talks of his participation on the 4 man commentary team used by the BBC at the Aintree Grand National. He got to call from the commentary position at Becher’s Brook-perhaps the most famous of all the Aintree obstacles.
He talks of his love for tennis and his nine year association with Tennis Australia, as a caller and courtside interviewer.
Matt looks back on the amazing number of sports he’s covered at Summer and Winter olympics.
He speaks with great honesty about the lethal virus he contracted during the Beijing Olympics. He recalls the ravages of Melioidosis, a virus present in contaminated soil and water. He looks back on the days when his life hung in the balance.
Matt reflects on the decision to leave Sydney and the grand farewell he was given by one special country race club.
No Matt Hill podcast would be complete without his tribute to Winx. He called the champion in two of her four Cox Plate wins.
This is a review of the first nineteen years of an amazing career. A great listen.
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.