John Tapp Racing

Episode 73: Tony Noonan (Part 2)

In part 2 Tony talks of his heyday at Mornington, when he was training a team of 100 horses.

He reflects on the wonderful horses who’ve shaped his career, and the great jockeys with whom he’s had a winning association.

Tony Noonan is a good listen.

Episode 72: Tony Noonan (Part 1)

In part 1 Tony Noonan talks about childhood days with his mother’s family who whet his appetite for racing.

He talks of his early working days as a Marist Bros teacher, all the while just wanting to be a horse trainer.

He talks of the old friend who taught him the basics of the training caper.

He remembers the devastation left in the wake of his biggest owner walking out with thirty horses.

Episode 71: Todd McCarthy

Sydney harness racing fans are familiar with Todd McCarthy’s meteoric rise in a few short years.

He has had to step out of the shadow of his high achieving father and brothers, and make his own way in a tough game. Todd has succeeded in a spectacular way.

He talks about his early days, the influence of his family, and the horses who’ve shaped his career. He pays special tribute to the amazing Tiger Tara.

Episode 70: Dwayne Dunn

This is the first interview I’ve ever conducted with Dwayne Dunn. I’ve been a fan throughout his thirty year career, but our paths have never crossed.

Any racing fan would know of his many achievements in the saddle, and the esteem in which he’s held by major stables.

I’ve also discovered during the course of arranging this podcast, that Dwayne is a complete professional. Great to catch up with him.

Episode 69: Michael Cahill (Part 2)

In part two of the podcast Michael Cahill remembers Falvelon as the fastest horse he ever rode. He talks of his time in Hong Kong and Macau. The latter contract took him to a jockeys title, and a Derby win.

He recalls some of the talented horses he’s ridden, his premiership battles in Brisbane, and the inevitable injuries.

He pays tribute to his brother Matthew, who stayed at Cowra, destined to become a champion jockey in the NSW Central west.

Michael talks about his likely future.

Episode 68: Michael Cahill (Part 1)

It’s great to catch up with a jockey who’s been the ultimate professional for four decades.

Michael Cahill was born into a great racing family at Cowra(NSW). He was probably resigned to the career of a bush jockey in his early days, but decided on a change of direction twenty two years ago.

An offer from Bruce McLachlan initially took him to Queensland, and he’s been among Brisbane’s top jockeys ever since.

In part 1 of the podcast Michael talks of his strong family background in racing, and his first taste of the big smoke. He recalls his time working at Mike Willesee’s Trandmedia Stud, and a stint as stable jockey for top Riverina trainer Richard Freyer.

Episode 67: Kristen Buchanan

Great to catch up with a young lady who is rapidly establishing herself in the Sydney training ranks. Kristen Buchanan lived in WA as a youngster, and attained Uni Degrees in Biology and Exercise Physiology. Those qualifications would have given her any number of job choices,  but training racehorses was all she wanted to do.

It’s been a tough ten years for Kristen, but determination and talent have taken her a long way.

Episode 66: Rodney Quinn

When the website began in May of last year, Rodney Quinn was one of my very early podcast guests. He’d been retired for five years, and was well entrenched in his new role as tutor of apprentices with Racing NSW.

What a magnificent career he had. Forty years in the saddle, and success at the highest level, but most importantly the profound respect of all sections of the industry.

If you missed this very early podcast, I’m delighted to give it another run.

Here comes Rodney Quinn Take 2.

Episode 65: Bob Thomsen (part 2)

Bob reminisces about horses like Danewin, Slight Chance and Shogun Lodge who won many Group 1 races.

He talks of the jockeys who helped him along the way, and the apprentices he tutored .

Episode 64: Bob Thomsen (Part 1)

Bob Thomsen taught himself the basics of horsemanship at a riding school, before becoming apprenticed to Tommy Smith in 1957. He rode 40 winners, most of them on metropolitan tracks before a disagreement with TJ  changed his life.

Bob took out his own trainer’s licence, and after a modest start went on to reach the pinnacle of the profession. He talks frankly about those early days.