John Tapp Racing

Episode 50: Fred Kersley (Part 1)

It’s hard to believe Fred Kersley is approaching his 80th birthday. The remarkable horseman is just as passionate today, as he was at any stage of his career. And what a career it’s been.

2,288 winners as a harness trainer in WA, and even more as a driver. Sixteen training premierships, and more as a driver.

It took Fred a while to gain his license to train gallopers, but he’s made up for lost time. He’s won 544 races with the thoroughbreds, and has prepared four million dollar plus horses. One of them was the great Northerly, winner of 9 Gr 1 races.

In Part 1 Fred talks about the influence of his father and grandfather, and the battle he had to establish his own identity.

Episode 49: John Letts (Part 2)

If you think Lettsy was at his entertaining best in Part 1, you ain't heard nothin' yet! In Part 2 he really hits top gear, beginning with that fateful day in November 1972, when he realised the dream of every Australian jockey.

Episode 48: John Letts (Part 1)

John Letts deserves his ranking in the upper echelon of Australia’s jockeys. He won more than 2300 races including two Melbourne Cups, despite a couple of very serious injuries. He garnered even more fame as post race interviewer for Channels 7 and 10, during twenty one Melbourne Cup carnivals. John’s mount each year was a lovable little quarter horse called Banjo, who knew his job backwards. John Letts is a real raconteur, who can tell a racing yarn better than most. We just let him run. That’s the reason this podcast is in two parts.

 

Episode 47: Denise Martin

As a kid in Tasmania, Denise Martin often went to the races with her dad. The magic of racing was on her mind, throughout the years she spent in the hospitality industry. Some years later she decided to become a racehorse syndicator, and Star Thoroughbreds was born in 1992. Denise has brought much joy to many people, and has been responsible for some outstanding racehorses. She talks about her exciting twenty six years in the business.

Episode 46: Betty Lane

We introduce two determined women on this week’s podcast. Firstly it’s Betty Lane, sometimes called the grande dame of Australia’s female horse trainers. Betty got a blunt refusal, the first time she applied for an AJC licence in the early seventies. She went to the bush, gained a license in the western districts, and promptly won three premierships. The next time she fronted the AJC Licensing Committee, they could hardly say no.

Episode 45: Darren McCall

For trot fans, we welcome to the podcast Menangle trainer Darren McCall. From a strong harness racing background,Darren has a tremendous passion for the standard bred horse. He was away from Australia for eleven years, working for Noel Croghan in New Jersey, and later training in is own right in Ontario Canada. He talks of the horses and horse people he has known, and pays tribute to his greatest supporter, his wife Karina.

Episode 44: Alan Thomas

We talk to broadcasting legend Alan Thomas, who quit race calling three years ago after a distinguished career. This bloke was one of the most versatile commentators of his generation. He called many sports with equal flare and passion, but his race calling endeared him to thousands of racing fans. Al’s got a million stories, and tells them in his trademark style.

Episode 43: Brett Prebble

Great to catch up with champion jockey Brett Prebble, who has decided to come home after fifteen rewarding seasons in Hong Kong. Brett didn’t win a premiership, but finished second to Douglas Whyte six times. The kid from Ballarat started his journey at Stawell, destined to reach the pinnacle of his profession. Fifty Gr 1’s and a Melbourne Cup are testimony to his talents, and he ain’t finished yet!

Episode 42: Pat Webster

Pat Webster began his racing life, as an apprentice jockey with trainer Betty Lane at Geurie(NSW). He graduated to Sydney where his riding career took off, but was abruptly halted by a nasty race fall. Pat talks about his six years out of racing, before he decided to become a trainer. Three Group 1 wins with the remarkable Happy Clapper have capped his rewarding career. You’ll get a chuckle out of Pat’s trip down memory lane.

Episode 41: Gavin Lang

Australian harness racing has never seen a better driver than Gavin Lang. Now nearing 60, the master reinsman has a staggering total of 6,150 winners to his credit. He reflects on his favourite horses and horse people, and the mystery illness that gave him an almighty fright a decade ago.