John Tapp Racing

Episode 131: Kima Frenning

It was a delight to catch up with the young lady who arrived from Sweden just under five years ago hoping to get some opportunities in Melbourne’s Monte races.

Kima talks about her early days in Australia riding trotters rather than driving them. She slowly made the transition to the sulky, and after a shaky start suddenly emerged as a promising driver.

Kima talks about the tremendous support she’s had from  trainers and owners.

She pays tribute to I’m The Boss, the horse to launch her career. She looks back on the Shepparton Cup win when she got up to beat her boss David Aiken on the champion Lenny The Shark. She apologised to David as they went past the post.

She talks of Wrapper’s Delight, the horse to take her to another level with a win in an Inter Dominion heat at Ballarat.

Kima speaks fondly of Buster Brady, the first horse she’s trained in her own right. Together they’ve won a string of country Cups, and they haven’t finished yet.

Episode 130: Bruce McHugh (Part 2)

In Part 2 Bruce recalls his introduction to Kerry Packer. He took a wager from Packer when another bookie declined.

He talks of Kerry’s visits to the big Randwick carnivals, and the volume of his betting.

He remembers the occasion when he had to put a limit on the world’s biggest punter.

Bruce reflects on Packer’s approach to gambling.

He goes on to talk of his days on the Committee of the Sydney Turf Club, and his three years as Chairman.

Bruce is happy to reflect on the impact of Kerry Packer’s betting on his own future.

Episode 129: Bruce McHugh (Part 1)

The former high profile bookmaker remembers his grandfather Jim McHugh who rode the 1898 Epsom Hcp winner.

He pays tribute to his father Bill McHugh himself a popular bookie on Sydney tracks in the days of huge race crowds.

He talks of his maternal grandmother Hilda who also possessed a gambling streak. She gave Bruce his first business loan.

Bruce recalls his earliest days fielding at the trots at Bulli, Hawkesbury and Penrith.

He recalls his slow transition to the galloping tracks, and the bizarre circumstances under which he was promoted to the main interstate ring.

Episode 128: Mitchell Beer

Thirty year old Victorian Mitchell Beer reveals that he didn’t want to be in racing when it was time to look at career options- he chose a golf apprenticeship.

He confesses that the magic of the thoroughbred lured him back and set him on a career he hoped would lead him to a future as a trainer.

Mitchell reminisces about his early years as the son of a highly respected jockey.

He takes us through the formative years when he was tutored by some of the best in the business.

He talks of his start in a training partnership with veteran Max Hinton at Mornington.

Mitchell takes us through his reasons for moving to NSW, and his progress since arriving in Albury ten months ago.

 

Episode 127: Jeff Lloyd (Part 2)

In Part 2 Jeff reveals the reason he decided to leave South Africa for a safer life in Australia.

He talks of his feeling of uncertainty when he arrived unannounced in Sydney, one of the world’s toughest racing towns. Jeff recalls those important early wins in Australia, and the trainers who gave him valued support.

He talks of his ATC Derby win- the one that launched his Aussie career. He remembers a Hong Kong stint which brought him a Group 1 success.

Jeff reflects on his arrival in Queensland, and the frightening stroke which put him on the sidelines for over a year.

At an age when most jockeys have long quit the saddle, this man was able to come back and win 4 Brisbane jockey’s premierships.

Episode 126: Jeff Lloyd (Part 1)

This could be the most comprehensive interview ever given by the former champion jockey.

Jeff recalls his early childhood in England where he would watch the races on television with his father, and his fascination with legendary jockey Lester Piggott.

He talks about the stern discipline he experienced at the South African Jockeys Academy in Durban and his first apprenticeship.

The great jockey reflects on his wonderful career in South Africa and the astonishing milestones he achieved.

He pays tribute to the best horse he’s ridden anywhere in the world, and to the great jockeys who provided him with tough competition.

Episode 125: Pam O'Neill (Part 2)

In Part 2  Pam O’Neill recalls the amazing invitation she received to ride in Japan for a month.

She talks of the cancer scare she got on returning from the Japan trip.

Pam reflects on some of her favourite horses. She won 18 races on Supersnack and gave the horse a home for life when his racing days were over.

She talks of the brilliant sprinter Breakfast Creek and the disappointment when she lost the ride.

Pam talks of her life as a mother and grand mother.

She pays tribute to her late husband Colin O’Neill a former brilliant jockey and very successful trainer.

Episode 124: Pam O'Neill (Part 1)

We finally catch up with the remarkable Queensland lady who pioneered the cause of Australia’s female jockeys four decades ago.

In Part 1 Pam O’Neill talks of her childhood involvement with horses in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot.

She recalls how she bristled when trying to lead one of her father’s racehorses onto Eagle Farm racecourse, and had to hand it over to a male.

She remembers winning her first battle to be allowed to ride trackwork.

She recalls her first win over the establishment. They finally agreed to ladies races at registered meetings.

Finally she broke down the barriers. Pam has never forgotten the Gold Coast meeting where she became the first woman to ride against men in Australia. She rode 3 winners. What a statement!

She talks of her bitter disappointment when New Zealander Linda Jones was allowed to ride against men at Doomben. At that stage Pam wasn’t allowed to ride on city tracks.

 

Episode 123: Michael Formosa (Part 2)

In part 2 the hard working trainer pays tribute to his “horse in a million” Ultimate Art. Kirsty raced the stallion for his entire career. Michael describes him as “the horse who paid off the mortgage”.

Formosa explains the origins of his well known racing colours.

He speaks fondly of the nickname bestowed upon him by a prominent trots commentator.

He looks at his long term goals.

Episode 122: Michael Formosa (Part 1)

For the trot fans we talk to one of the sport’s quiet achievers. Michael Formosa has gone quietly about his business for twenty years, racking up 1000 wins in the process.

Michael talks of his family background, and his eight year apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.

He talks of the uncle who got him interested in harness horses at an early age, and the veteran trainer who taught him principles he follows to this day.

Michael reflects on his chance meeting with Kirsty Goodyear an apprentice jockey who was to become his wife and the mother of his two daughters.

He looks back on the horror Maitland fall which could have put him in a wheelchair.