John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
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.
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
It was the mid 1970’s and Hilton was on a flight from Dublin to Sydney after completing a three year stint with Irish trainer John Oxx. He turned to wife Marilyn and calmly announced that his riding days were over. In this podcast replay the former ace jockey explains why he quit at the top of his game, and recalls the new life he forged back in Australia. Hilton begins by talking about his lifelong love of golf.
He also reveals a love for fishing, a skill he learned from his great mate, the late Norm Munsie.
Hilton talks of his amazing mother Vera who was 102 years of age when this podcast was recorded. She’s now 106 and still right on top of her game.
The former outstanding jockey has never forgotten the day his father came home with an undernourished pony mare called Flicka- the pony who would trigger his love for riding.
Hilton talks of the horse dentist who looked after Flicka’s teeth. That dentist also had racing connections and was the catalyst in arranging Hilton’s apprenticeship to Rosehill trainer Vic Thompson Snr.
He remembers everyday life with a trainer who was tough but fair.
Hilton recalls his forgettable race riding debut, and the thrill of his first win at his 15th ride.
The veteran horseman recalls the humbling experience of being selected Dux of the AJC Apprentice’s School- quite an honour in 1960.
Cope was only 17 when he rode his first Gr 1 winner. He recalls the circumstances under which he picked up the ride on Red Wind in the 1960 AJC Metropolitan.
Right at the end of his apprenticeship Hilton teamed up with a special 3YO filly. He remembers his AJC Oaks win on Jane Hero.
He reflects on an association with a brilliant horse called Broker’s Tip. He won the Canterbury Guineas on the horse and hoped to be retained for the AJC Derby but was usurped by a glamour jockey of the day. The story had a happy ending.
Hilton recalls renewing his partnership with Broker’s Tip in the autumn of 1970 for a great Gr 1 double.
The former jockey looks back on a brief association with the much revered Tails. He won his second AJC Metropolitan on the handsome chestnut, a decade after Red Wind.
Hilton remembers his handful of rides on one of Australia’s best loved horses, the gallant Gunsynd. He talks of a racing peculiarity jockeys needed to be aware of.
He hasn’t forgotten the exciting experience of his first and only ride in the Melbourne Cup.
Hilton says he was in trouble controlling his weight at just 18 years of age. He confesses to some irresponsible behaviour on Saturday nights.
He says dehydration sometimes generated cramps during or after races. He cites a couple of examples.
Hilton was 26 when offered a contract in France which turned out to be an unhappy experience. The owner was happy to have him on her horses, but the trainer wanted nothing to do with the Australian jockey.
He says a former champion Australian golfer was instrumental in getting him to Ireland.
His three seasons with John Oxx more than compensated for the nightmare experience in France. Hilton reminisces about his happiest days as a jockey.
On returning to Australia he began the development of a spelling farm in the Hunter Valley. Before long he had 150 horses on the property. Hilton looks back on his resident herd of cattle and a successful venture into lucerne farming.
He talks of his love for thoroughbred breeding and the enjoyment he gets out of racing a horse from time to time.
Hilton remembers his mixed feelings when the decision was made to sell Kelvinside to the Darley empire. He says it was quite a wrench.
I thoroughly enjoyed this chat with a very old friend. If you missed the podcast in 2019, here it comes again!
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
John Powell was at a loose end when he returned to Australia in 2021 after calling time on his long riding career in Singapore. It wasn’t long before Racing NSW enlisted his services as a mentor for northern NSW jockeys, and more recently Gary Kliese has snapped him up for a co-hosting role on Sky Thoroughbred Central’s coverage of northern rivers racing. It’s almost forty years since John Powell began his apprenticeship with Helen Page at Warwick Farm. In a 37 year riding career he rode 1400 winners in five jurisdictions, more than half of them in Singapore. We were able to pin him down recently for a lengthy chat about his fascinating journey in racing. John begins by explaining how his opportunity with Sky Thoroughbred Central came up.
He says his main focus is on the characteristics of horses and tactics employed by jockeys.
John says he’d barely settled back in Australia when he got a surprise phone call from Corey Brown on behalf of Racing NSW.
The former top jockey takes us back to childhood days at Campbelltown and talks about the family friend who introduced him to Helen Page.
He recalls his delight when Warwick Farm trainer Frank Bacon gave him his very first race ride.
John hasn’t forgotten his very first winner at Gosford for his boss Helen Page. He admits the ride wasn’t pretty. The chief steward spoke to him on the day about an entirely different matter.
He fondly remembers his magical first city winner at Canterbury in 1987.
Powell recalls multiple wins on the Guy Walter trained Prince Invader- a very important horse to the young rider in those early days.
He has never forgotten a pick-up ride on brilliant sprinter Show County. He got the ride during a jockey’s strike when every runner at a Warwick Farm meeting was ridden by an apprentice.
The recently retired jockey looks back on his affinity with Kembla Grange racecourse. In one season in the late 80’s he was champion Kembla apprentice.
He talks of Shane Edmonds, another talented apprentice who was with Helen Page at the same time.
John talks about his addiction to diuretics, the demon pills used by many jockeys in days gone by to help them excrete water through the kidneys. Diuretics gave jockeys a simple way of losing weight on race days. They were very dangerous long term.
He looks back on several short term contracts in Mauritius- a unique racing environment.
John talks of his very successful stint in Macau. It was here a Panamanian jockey helped him to fine tune his riding style.
He looks back on some of the outstanding horses he got to ride in Australia including a few of Bart Cummings’ topliners.
John talks of his association with John Hawkes which led him to a full season in Brisbane. The champion trainer once entrusted John with a barrier trial ride on champion Octagonal. He still talks about it.
He looks back on his appointment as stable jockey for Don Baertshiger in Singapore- a partnership that would last for many years.
John says he got away to a “flyer” in Singapore by winning the Gr 1 Derby on Hello And Goodbye. It was Kiwi trainer Bruce Marsh’s first Singapore win.
He talks of his first win in the Kranji Mile and a second Singapore Derby.
John reflects on a Kranji Mile win for Laurie Laxon and a QE2 Cup success.
The former ace jockey talks openly about his cancer scare. The discovery of a lump on his neck during a routine medical check led to further scans. Thyroid cancer was detected. Covid enforced travel restrictions delayed John’s return to Sydney for crucial surgery.
He says the thyroid complication sent his weight on a spiral, and he knew his riding days were numbered. John remembers the shock he received to read about his retirement on social media, long before he’d made any announcement.
It’s a laid back chat with a talented jockey who spent 25 of his 37 riding years out of Australia.