John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Hugh Bowman wasn’t where I expected him to be when we finally pinned him down for this interview. When I spoke to him a few days earlier he was still in Hong Kong undergoing physiotherapy for the legacy of injuries sustained in a race fall on November 11th. A short time later he made a snap decision to visit his parents in Mudgee.
He wasn’t long off the connecting flight to the central western town when he very kindly joined us on the podcast. This interview goes close to one and a quarter hours. We could have doubled that duration. When you talk to Hugh Bowman, it’s a case of what you include and what you leave out. The champion jockey talks of his flight from Hong Kong.
Hugh says he’s making better than expected progress after a fall that could have had more serious consequences.
He expresses gratitude for the support of wife Christine and daughters Bambi and Paige in the wake of the accident. He talks of a smooth transition into the Hong Kong education system.
Hugh shares vivid recollections of the Sha Tin fall.
He explains that the announcement of Joao Moreira’s departure from Hong Kong motivated his decision to take up a short term contract.
Hugh says he’s following in the footsteps of Darren Beadman who intended to finish his career in Hong Kong.
He talks of the strong racing influence in the Bowman family.
The much travelled jockey remembers his secondary education at the famous Scots College in Sydney.
Hugh reiterates the story of his days as an amateur rider and the thrill of his first win.
He looks back on his first serious apprenticeship to Bathurst trainer Leanne Aspros.
Hugh remembers with sadness the trackwork accident that terminated the career of champion bush jockey Bill Aspros. He and Bill were galloping horses side by side when the mishap occurred.
He remembers his first win as a professional jockey at Gulgong and his first for Leanne Aspros.
The top horseman looks back on his initial association with a really topline horse.
Hugh fondly remembers his first ever Gr 1 win in 2004. By this time he’d lost his heart to a charming Irish colleen who’d returned home after a stint in Sydney. He says he was on the next plane to Ireland.
He looks bacon a chance meeting with English trainer Mick Channon and a subsequent English riding contract.
We fast forward to Hugh’s association with the classy filly Samantha Miss who gave him his first Victorian Gr 1 success.
He talks of his Sydney premiership wins- four in total. He says it should have been five.
Hugh reminisces about winning rides on So You Think, Reliable Man, Racing To Win, Preferment and Shoot Out.
He talks about some of the major races in which he’s had multiple success.
The champion jockey says his Golden Slipper win on Farnan is among his greatest thrills even though the race was run at a deserted Rosehill Gardens.
Hugh speaks of his Asian riding highlights with special mention of the John Moore trained Werther.
He goes on to talk of a win in the Japan Cup of 2017 which clinched his induction as the Longines Best Jockey Of The Year. He has some positive thoughts on the true meaning of the honour.
We deliberately left Winx until last. Hugh has answered the predictable questions many times over. We talked more about his long association with the freakish mare and the degree of pressure involved.
During the course of his reflections he touches on his admiration for a special group of outstanding overseas riders.
Seventy five minutes passed very quickly. We left things out which will have to wait for another day. I’m grateful to Hugh for making himself available after a long voyage from Hong Kong to Mudgee, and less than three weeks after a nasty race fall. Many thanks Hugh.
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
With a team rarely exceeding twenty five horses Sara Ryan is able to do things a little differently to the bigger stables. She goes to great lengths to give her horses something to think about other than the grind of training and racing. One beneficiary of her alternative routine is Attractable who propelled her to dizzy heights by winning the Big Dance. We talk to a young lady who first encountered thoroughbreds on the show jumping circuit, and became fascinated with the breed. Sara begins by talking about Attractable’s unusual racing style.
She recalls breaking Attractable in before he went to Peter Moody which gave her a head start when the horse returned to her care at Kulnura.
Sara recalls the tactics she employed in the lead up to the Big Dance.
The trainer talks of her pre race nerves on Big Dance day and the support extended by her immediate family.
Sara takes us back to early days on Sydney’s north shore where a school friend introduced her to horses. She was instantly hooked, and immediately began the task of persuading her parents to buy her a horse.
She looks back on fun filled days with a retired thoroughbred called Onyabob. They became a successful duo on the show circuit.
She talks of riding tuition from former Olympian Vicky Roycroft and the young staff member who caught her eye. Today Sara and Will Matthews share a property at Jilliby. Sara attends to her duties for Domeland while Will engages in his business of buying, educating and trading show jumpers.
Sara explains how she first came under the notice of Domeland Managing Director King Cheng. She transitioned from the office to the role of breaking in and pre-training director. She took to the new job with great relish.
She remembers the day King Cheng offered her a brand new role in the Domeland operation, and admits to being shell shocked.
The trainer says Domeland were happy to allow her to train a handful of her own horses. They actually leased her the horse who would provide her first win.
Sara acknowledges a few special horses who got her up and running in the training ranks.
She takes us through a normal day as Domeland’s head trainer.
Sara talks of the unique Kulnura training property established in the 1980’s by the late Larry Pickering.
She talks of her commitment to riding the majority of her own horses in trackwork, and her long term resolve to training horses.
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Many experienced owners speak highly of Newcastle’s Jason Deamer who resists the temptation to increase the size of his stable. In twenty years of training, the third generation horseman has rarely exceeded twelve horses. His winners and strike rate have remained constant for all of that time. We caught up with the former jockey recently to look back on his racing life. Jason begins by reviewing four consecutive recent wins by the very talented Hard To Say.
He talks of his association with Dynamic Syndications who put together an all female syndicate to race Hard To Say.
The third generation horseman talks of a recent hit and run trip to Doomben with another Dynamic horse Awesome Lad.
Jason says his Newcastle stables have been in the family for many years.
He talks of his father John Deamer who enjoyed success as a jockey and trainer before going into the horse transport business.
Jason reflects on the riding achievements of his grandfather Carl Deamer who passed away in 2006.
Despite his strong pedigree Jason says he had little interest in becoming a jockey in his early years.
He recalls weighing only 42 kgs when he made his riding debut in 1990.
Jason vividly recalls his first winning ride at Newcastle on a horse with a strong family connection.
He looks back on a brief stint with Tiger Holland and Betty Lane at Randwick.
The forty seven year old recalls opportunities he declined from some high profile stables.
He looks back on the decision to join the Denham stable at Rosehill. He was actually apprenticed to Allan Denham, but inevitably came under the influence of the legendary Jack.
Jason remembers a Rosehill win on Fitting in the Geoff and Beryl White colours. He wore the same colours on Jetball, the horse he says was the best he rode during his time with the Denham stable.
He has fond memories of a Hawkesbury win on Sword for syndicator Shelley Hancox. After quitting the saddle he got to take the same horse to Adelaide for two important races. Sword won both.
Jason was chuffed a few months ago when the recently retired Allan Denham sent him a horse to train.
On leaving the Denham family Jason returned to Newcastle where he became a full time trackwork rider for the late Max Lees.
He looks back on a fleeting comeback to race riding.
Jason tells the story of his association with owner/trainer David Throsby who was struggling to get work riders at Cessnock.
He looks back on an exciting trip to the Gold Coast with Lovely Jubly. The filly won the Magic Millions.
Jason remembers a second trip to Queensland with the grey filly. This time she won two Gr 1’s.
He was later given the opportunity to train Lovely Jubly in his own right. He recalls the excitement of a near miss in a Gr 1 at Rosehill.
The Newcastle horseman acknowledges some of the handy horses who’ve helped him along the way.
Jason pays tribute to a few of his favourite jockeys.
He talks of Decroux, the very first horse he got to train for Dynamic Syndications.
Jason talks of three adult children from his first marriage- Jordan, Montana and Jenson.
He and wife Tanya are the proud parents of eight year old Jackson who gets special mention in our podcast. Great to catch up with a highly regarded trainer.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Some trainers enjoy the bustling environment of a city stable. Others wouldn’t leave their country bases for a Godolphin contract. One of the latter group is Todd Howlett who’s more than content training his forty horse team at Lower Belford. I enjoyed catching up with a horseman who 23 years ago began his racing involvement while working for the Singleton Council. Todd talks of his recent Coonabarabran Cup win with Scorched Land.
He heaps praise on Scorched Land’s rider, talented apprentice Anna Roper.
The trainer talks of a recent winning run including a Gunnedah treble.
He describes the layout of his Lower Belford training facility.
Todd talks of his upcoming role as private trainer for cousin Sean Dyson who’s developing a state of the art training centre a short distance away.
He talks of his family background.
Todd looks back on an early stint as a bronc rider on the rodeo circuit, and his involvement in camp drafting.
He remembers his time as a parks and gardens foreman with the Singleton Council.
The trainer recalls a Muswellbrook win with his very first starter The Moonster in 2000. He and wife Anika devised a plan by which they could build a bigger punting bank.
Todd talks more of The Moonster, the horse who launched his training career.
He pays tribute to two special horses who gave his early career a tremendous kick start.
Todd looks back on a wonderful association with retired jockey Robert Thompson.
He acknowledges a national riding premiership win achieved by his former apprentice Aaron Bullock.
Howlett has nothing but praise for another of his apprentices, the talented Mikayla Weir.
The Hunter Valley horseman recalls the horror of the 2021 truck accident which could have easily claimed his life.
Todd talks of the five horses who were on board his truck at the time of the freakish collision.
He talks of his greatest supporter wife Anika, and children Aiden and Macey. His daughter has inherited the racing genes.
Todd refutes the popular belief that he’s related to former jockey and trainer Bernie Howlett.
It’s a nice yarn with a man who’s in the Hunter Valley for the duration.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Popular Jess Taylor brought up a very distinguished milestone at the Sapphire Coast meeting on July 30th. She bounced straight to the lead on Kiss the Colours in a 1000m maiden for her great supporter Joe Cleary. The 3YO filly went on to win easily to give Jess her 500th win in twelve years of race riding. Since then she’s reeled off another twelve wins, including a double at the Sapphire Coast on Nov 2nd. Jess joined us on the podcast last week to talk about her notable achievement. She admits to being surprised when informed her 500 win tally was looming.
Jess looks back on that special race at the Sapphire Coast.
She talks about the standing of female riders in the current era.
Jess takes us back to childhood days on the NSW Central Coast, and the influence of her mother Fione.
She pays tribute to her “dream pony” Miller.
The jockey says her life changed from the moment retired thoroughbreds came onto the family property.
She talks of her introduction to trackwork at nearby Gosford racecourse.
Jess remembers her lucky break in being able to land an apprenticeship with respected Gosford trainer Albert Stapleford.
She looks back with some embarrassment on her first race ride at Cessnock.
Jess says her first city performance was much better.
The jockey has never forgotten the support given her by Gosford trainer Carmen Murnane who supplied her magical first winner on the new Tuncurry-Forster track.
Jess talks of the short lived University course she began during her time with the Stapleford stable.
She looks back on the wise counsel of the astute trainer.
Jess remembers a winning double at Dubbo which caught the eye of Warwick Farm trainer Mark de Montfort.
She talks of the valuable tuition offered by the former outstanding jockey.
Jess looks back on her first city winner, and the support of several other Warwick Farm trainers.
The jockey has fond memories of her first black type win.
She talks about her four Gr 1 rides to date.
Jess talks about the inevitable accidents, including two that happened within a short space of time.
She looks back on another serious accident that had nothing to do with race riding.
Jess recalls her frustration that she wasn’t able to win a race at Randwick during her apprenticeship. She quickly corrected that anomaly.
The jockey pays special tribute to Kembla trainer Theresa Bateup for whom she’s ridden more winners than any other trainer.
Jess and partner Katie are raising two wonderful kids on the Central Coast. She talks warmly of Evelyn and Noah.
Jess doesn’t take for granted her ability to ride at a featherweight. She hopes one day it might earn her the ride on a lightweight chance in a high profile race.
A laid back chat with the newest member of the “500 Club”.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
The Australian Turf Club moved swiftly to honour Betty Lane Holland following the passing of the trailblazing horse trainer on October 22nd at the remarkable age of 97. Just three days later they attached her distinguished name to a three year old race at the Kensington midweek meeting, and the script couldn’t have worked out better. The winner Sly Boots and third place getter Vanquished are both trained by the Waterhouse/Bott duo while Anabel Neasham prepares runner up Cheergal.
It was a nervous Betty Lane who turned up right on time for her appointment with the AJC Licensing Committee one day in 1962. She was asked by the six man panel to explain why she should be allowed to train racehorses in Sydney. They listened to her well prepared plea before politely announcing that it wasn’t the policy of the AJC to license female trainers, and wasn’t likely to be in the future. The feisty 40 something year old, had no intention of abandoning her life’s dream.
She raked up enough money to buy a tiny property with humble infrastructure in the tiny village of Geurie between Dubbo and Wellington. She gained accreditation from both the WDRA and CWRA and set about training winners. With three western premierships under the belt, Betty popped another written application in the mail to the AJC Licensing Committee. This time they acquiesced and Mrs Betty Lane became the first female to gain an AJC Licence, upgraded to a No 1 brief seven years later.
With husband “Tiger” Holland by her side and devoid of support from wealthy owners, Betty Lane went on to make an indelible mark in the Sydney training ranks. “Tiger” predeceased her fifteen years ago. In retirement Betty busied herself visiting friends, playing her beloved game of bridge and completing her popular autobiography “I Did It Their (My) Way). Betty was 92 years old when I asked her to join me for a podcast chat in 2018. I had to talk her into it, but once she started reminiscing, the grand dame of Australia’s female training ranks had the time of her life. I’m privileged to post that podcast again by way of our tribute to a remarkable lady.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Caught up with Brian Fletcher at the recent Beauford Club luncheon at Newcastle where he was a guest speaker. His tales of the turf and stories from the Panthers camp kept the crowd entertained. It occurred to me at the time that Brian would make an excellent podcast guest. He happily agreed and here it is! Brian begins by reflecting on an amazing third straight premiership win by his beloved Panthers. He says he’d just about given up before Nathan Cleary began to weave some magic.
As CEO of the Panthers Group, Brian talks about his association with Matt Cameron CEO of the Penrith Football Club, coach Ivan Cleary and the players.
He talks of Ivan Cleary’s triumphant return to the Panthers after a stint with the Wests Tigers.
Brian looks ahead to the 2024 season and the likelihood of another premiership. He talks of his board involvement with Panthers before accepting the CEO’s role, and his lifetime passion for the game of rugby league.
He says his association with rugby league administration began in the days when Panthers became involved in Hawkesbury race sponsorship. Brian talks of his day to day role as CEO of the Panthers Group.
He talks of early days at Coonamble where he was born in 1953 and where he learned the importance of work ethic from his parents. He talks of other notable natives of Coonamble to make their marks in racing.
Brian looks back on jobs with the State Bank, the Coonamble Golf Club and the Shire Council. During his time with the State Bank he received a very worrying health scare.
He looks back on his first racing experience as Honorary Treasurer of the cash strapped Coonamble Jockey Club. He remains deeply humbled by the Jockey Club’s gesture in lending his name to the racecourse grandstand.
Brian reflects on the dawn of his new career as CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club which was also in financial strife in 1989.
He takes us through the amazing list of innovations and initiatives he was able to generate in his 28 years at Hawkesbury. He had a long battle before being able to announce the introduction of the first provincial stand alone Saturday meeting in Australia. Perhaps this was the achievement to give him the most pleasure.
Brian recalls another unlikely project he was able to get off the ground- the construction of a motel on Hawkesbury Race Club property.
He pays heartfelt tribute to the key people whose friendship and consultation influenced his career.
Brian nominates the racehorse he believes is the best he’s seen in action on the historic Clarendon course.
The administrative dynamo pays heartfelt tribute to wife Wendy and daughters Sonya and Adele.
Brian Fletcher will turn 70 on Xmas Day 2023. He outlines plans for the future.
This is a rousing yarn with one of the most successful sports administrators of his generation.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tyler Schiller was always destined to make it to the ranks of Sydney’s top jockeys. After a flying start in the Riverina he was fortunate to gain a start in Sydney with Mark Newnham who had emerged as a master tutor of young riders. Tyler was champion Sydney apprentice in his second season, and has already established himself in the senior ranks. He begins the podcast by heaping praise on the flying Front Page, the horse to give him two Kosciuszko wins in twelve months.
Tyler shares a funny sidelight to the Kosciuszko win on October 14th. His mum Susan found an ingenious way to gain entry to the Randwick birdcage.
The young jockey talks of the first leg of his double on Everest day. He used great initiative to get Land Legend home in the historic St Leger.
He expresses great gratitude for the wonderful run he’s had in his first few months as a fully fledged jockey.
Tyler talks about early days in his hometown of Young, and his only sibling’s indifference to horses.
He talks of father Glenn’s association with harness horses, and his own involvement with the breed.
Tyler gives a shout out to grandfather Peter who’s also had a strong connection to harness horses.
He talks of having attained his permit to drive in races, and says he was ready to start when the opportunity arose to become an apprentice jockey.
The young jockey talks of his move to the stables of the late Phil Sweeney at Jerilderie, the tiny border town which has strong ties to bushranging history.
Tyler talks of the freakish motor accident which almost finished his potential riding career.
He remembers with great clarity the thrilling occasion of his first winning ride. The magic moment came at a non TAB meeting on the dirt track at Hillston in the western Riverina.
He says that Lucky Capri’s trainer has remained a close friend and associate.
Tyler recalls the occasion of his first winner at a TAB meeting. He revisits a Wagga win on Gold Touch for Luke Pepper, a trainer who has continued to support him.
He says bush jockeys rarely get the opportunity to ride top class horses. He pays tribute to one such horse trained by his master.
Tyler says he contacted a few Sydney trainers himself when the time was right to make the transition.
The jockey reflects on a magical moment at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day this year- his first Gr 1 victory on Mariamia in The Galaxy. He says the euphoria of his breakthrough win was overshadowed by news of his father’s cancer diagnosis a few days earlier.
Mariamia was one of two winners on the day. He remembers Opal Ridge’s brilliant win in the Darby Munro Stakes.
Tyler goes on to talk of Opal Ridge’s subsequent Brisbane form.
He acknowledges several horses who’ve helped him to gain a foothold in the ranks of Sydney’s senior ranks.
Tyler got a huge thrill to head back to the Riverina last year to win the Albury Gold Cup on Harmony Rose for his boss Mark Newnham.
Tyler Schiller is still very much a “bushie” at heart which shows through in this podcast. A nice chat with one of Australia’s most talented young jockeys.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
I’ve long admired Robyn Freeman’s dedication to the craft she loves. She’s one of few female riders still active from the dedicated group who were flying the flag in the 1990’s. A recent Newcastle double on two long priced horses clearly showed why Robyn is still gaining support twenty five years on. She talks about the two fillies in question.
Robyn explains that her patient tactics on both winners illustrated her preferred style of riding.
She talks of her two young children, and the valuable support she receives from her own parents.
The dedicated jockey says she’s a regular at Kembla Grange trackwork, and acknowledges the trainers for whom she rides.
Robyn looks back on her equine management course at Armidale TAFE, and her first apprenticeship to local trainer Stafford Wain.
She explains the reasons for her many changes of stable affiliations. Her second job was with Gayna Williams at Bathurst.
Robyn reflects on brief stints with Colin Jeffries, Leanne Aspros, the late Max Lees and Graeme Begg.
Finally the move that was to give her a solid grounding and some notable success in the saddle. Robyn looks back on a long association with Gai Waterhouse, and acknowledges some of the nice horses she got to ride.
She looks back on the relatively small group of girls who were battling for recognition in the early 2000’s.
Robyn remembers her sudden urge to try her luck overseas. She looks back on two memorable visits to Macau and South Africa.
She reflects on her return to Australia and a frustrating attempt to regenerate her career, starting off in Victoria.
Robyn remains grateful for the opportunity afforded her by Brett Cavanough who was Albury based at the time.
The mother-of-two remembers a return to the Waterhouse stable and her initial meeting with future husband Stuart Key.
She looks back on her association with Noel and Emma Mayfield-Smith and her connection with a very special horse.
You can hear the excitement in Robyn’s voice as she reflects on a surprise invitation to ride in a female jockey’s event in Sweden. It turned out to be a thrilling experience.
Robyn delights in telling the humorous story of a conversation she had one morning with Gai Waterhouse. The trainer gave her some motherly advice.
Following the birth of her two babies Robyn made the decision to return to race riding, but had difficulty in getting her weight back to the necessary level. She got some advice from another female rider.
She pays tribute to trainer Gerald Ryan who gave her great support on the comeback trail.
Robyn summarises an injury list which would have dampened the spirit of most jockeys.
She talks of her delight in riding alongside the great Damian Oliver on Newcastle Cup day.
It’s a nice chat with a lady who’s helped to bring Australia’s female riders to the prominent niche they enjoy today.
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
For the first few years of their training partnership Robert and Luke Price worked individually- Robert at Turpentine Park, a spelling and pre-training property at Cambewarra while Luke was based at the partnership’s Kembla stables. Circumstances have changed and the pair now operate in tandem from the racecourse. Rob joins us on the podcast to talk about the reasons for the change of format.
Rob talks of his love for the NSW South Coast and the passion for thoroughbreds he and Luke have in common.
He sees himself training horses long into the future.
The experienced horseman talks of the extensive refurbishments being carried out at Kembla Grange currently. He says trainers are feeling the pressure but are excited about the future facilities.
Rob talks of the unique premiership double he and Luke achieved last season.
He looks back on an early aspiration to be a jockey and his apprenticeship to Nowra trainer Fred Thomason.
Rob says he got as far as the trials, but the scales told him a riding future was off the table.
He talks of the interim job he secured while sorting out his future.
Rob looks back on the acquisition of his trainer’s licence and a low key start in the business. He talks of regular trips to the Berry Showground where he would meet his mentor and his future wife.
He and Patricia produced two sons and a daughter who have subsequently provided them with a big team of grand kids. Rob pays tribute to the family.
The South Coast horseman looks back on the valuable tutelage given by his late father in law Kevin Robinson. He extols the virtues of an extraordinary trainer.
Rob remembers his first win as a trainer at Kembla in 1990, and the lengthy wait before that first elusive city win came along.
He pays tribute to a few special horses who helped to get him up and running as a trainer.
Rob looks back on the professional riding career of his son and training partner Luke Price.
He talks of a nasty accident which halted Luke’s riding career in 2002, and the amazing comeback he made a year later.
Rob says Luke still enjoys riding trackwork especially when his mount happens to be stable favourite Cuban Royale.
The co-trainer pays tribute to bonny mare Jamaea, and reflects on some of her better performances. He talks of her recent sale on the Inglis Digital online auction.
Not surprisingly we devote ample time to Rob’s reminiscences about the ill fated Count de Rupee- the best horse to pass through the Price stables so far.
He comments on the bizarre reality that both Count de Rupee and his Golden Eagle conqueror I’m Thunderstruck are no longer with us.
Rob says Count De Rupee’s deeds lifted the profile of the Price stable overnight.
He makes special mention of the stable “war horse” Cuban Royale who’s still going strong as a nine year old.
The trainer talks of a recent affiliation with the famous Australian Bloodstock operation. He’s optimistic about a Brave Smash two year old he’s training for the syndication giant.
Rob gives us a “heads up” regarding a couple of unraced I Am Invincible fillies he and Luke are training.
He concludes with mention of the instantly recognizable Price stable colours. Some of his owners have taken the white and tartan theme to another level.