John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
It’s only two and a half years since we last spoke with Jon Grisedale but much water has flowed under the bridge since, and he’s approaching a special birthday- special when you’re talking about an active jockey. He’ll be 60 on October 10th, but you’d never know it as the winners continue to flow including a couple over the recent Grafton July carnival. English born Grisedale was reluctant to do another interview so soon but I was able to talk him into it.
Jon and his wife Donna remain delighted with their decision to move to Coffs Harbour in 2019.
The jockey talks of a Lismore race fall soon after his arrival which was more serious than reported.
He talks of the warm reception afforded him by local trainers. He established contacts by riding an enormous amount of trackwork.
He’s had to regulate his track commitments to a sane level but still rides work for a handful of great local supporters.
Jon says the competition on the rivers is ferocious. He compliments Ben Looker who’s approaching 120 winners for the season.
The jockey looks back on Donna’s early training career at Kembla Grange and outlines the reason for their move north.
Jon recalls his first meeting with Donna when both were riding work for Chris Waller at Rosehill.
He talks of the decade Donna spent working for the late Jack Denham.
Jon talks of Donna’s Coffs Harbour horses, and describes her strong points as a trainer.
It’s not widely known that Jon emigrated from England with his family at four years of age. He recalls the ocean voyage.
He talks of his apprenticeship to the late Bede Horan at Rosehill, and has nothing but praise for the respected horseman.
The jockey says Horan regularly took horses to bush meetings and took his apprentice with him. Jon says he literally “cut his teeth” on the western line.
He talks of the support offered by Rosehill trainer Ray Guy who supplied his first city winner. The mare in question would become a broodmare gem.
Jon looks back on the special day at a Canterbury midweeker when he rode four winners. He says the media attention was unexpected.
He talks of his association with Brian Mayfield-Smith. He says he was virtually number three rider for quite some time.
Jon looks back on a brief association with Marauding. He has no doubt the big colt was the best horse he’s ever ridden.
He remembers a Tramway Hcp win on the genuine “bushie” Moville Peter and a Rosehill stakes win on Mount Verde.
Jon talks of his love of riding in country areas and the success he enjoyed in major bush races.
The veteran jockey reflects on what he calls the “lost year of his life”- a battle with a rare disease called Endocarditis or a severe infection of the inner lining of the heart. The prolonged illness cost him a kidney and twelve months away from the career he loved.
Jon looks back on his association with Chris Waller soon after the NZ trainer set up shop at Rosehill.
He talks of Waller’s training methods and recalls one humorous comment offered by the trainer after an unsuccessful day at Newcastle.
Grisedale reflects on an injury sustained when a horse reared over with him in the Kembla parade yard. Doctors misinterpreted the initial x/rays. It’s a bizarre story.
He talks of the retirement that lasted only a few months.
Jon talks of the move to Coffs Harbour and the stables he and Donna were able to purchase.
This is a trip down memory lane with a remarkable jockey who will soon reach the age at which most riders are long retired.
Thanks to ace photographer Steve Hart we’ve been able to add some wonderful photos of Jon Grisedale at the top of his game in the 1990’s.
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Michael Cahill had his first race ride on Red Affro at an obscure race meeting at Gooloogong in 1979. The horse ran second but Michael says he was beaten by pilot error. Since then he’s ridden with great skill to land a stunning total of 2600 winners in 4 jurisdictions. He’s coming up 59, and would love to ride in races until age 60. In our recent interview he talks about the style his late father Ossie helped him to develop during his apprenticeship at Cowra.
Michael explains his reason for wearing two sets of goggles when riding in races.
He says rides are still plentiful but the good opportunities are not what they used to be.
Michael looks back on a simple fall on the Sunny Coast in December 2021 which sidelined him for seven months. Remarkably he rode a winner at Doomben on his first day back.
He says he had a good run for nine months before another race fall halted his progress. This time he was back in a month.
Michael takes us back to early days at Cowra NSW when he and brother Matthew were apprenticed to their father Ossie. He says their careers were carefully guided.
The talented jockey has never forgotten the occasion of his first race win at Orange on Melbourne Cup day 1980.
He reflects on the dedication of his mother Margaret who had the job of driving him to race meetings all over the western districts.
Michael talks of his sister Kathryn who combines her day job with the training of a small team of horses.
The veteran jockey pays a final tribute to his father.
He recalls a win at Canterbury on a Cowra trained horse which led to an approach from a very high profile trainer.
Michael looks back on the highs and lows of his short stint in Sydney.
He looks back on his two and a half years as track rider and race jockey for media icon Mike Willesee based at the Transmedia Park Stud at Cootamundra.
Not surprisingly Michael came under the notice of the late Richard Freyer who had attained legendary status in the Riverina. He took the job and rode 70 winners in 18 months for the Freyer stable.
Tired of bitterly cold winters, Michael jumped at the opportunity to ride at the Grafton and Coffs Harbour carnivals. He says the warmer climate changed his future plans.
He looks back on a surprise offer from leading Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan.
Michael says he changed direction again when Gerald Ryan offered him a plum job on the Gold Coast.
The jockey talks of his marriage to former English riding instructor Maxine Harris.
He looks back on his first overseas riding contract in Singapore, and pays tribute to some top NZ jockeys who were there at the same time.
Michael pays tribute to the brilliant Falvelon. He has no doubt the son of Alannon was the fastest horse he’s ever ridden.
Soon after his Doomben $10,000 win on Falvelon Michael accepted an offer to ride in Hong Kong. He talks of a first up win for John Moore.
The jockey looks back on the circumstances that took him to Macau where he enjoyed a golden run.
Michael talks of his Brisbane premiership win, and a narrow defeat in another.
He talks of a Stradbroke win in 2005 for his great supporter Bevan Laming.
Michael remembers wins in a Magic Millions 2YO Classic and a Winter Stakes now known as the Tatts Tiara.
He remembers his nine rides on Victorian stayer Natural Blitz for trainer Doug Harrison.
Michael talks of his association with NZ trainer Tony Pike which brought him a five win sequence on The Bostonian.
The jockey reflects on a couple of stakes wins in Sydney, and a long list of Queensland black type wins.
Michael talks of younger brother Matthew’s recent return from injury.
Former jockey Shane Dye has been very vocal lately about modern day jockey safety vests. He believes there are flaws in the design and Michael agrees with him.
Michael speaks fondly of daughter Amelia and son Harry who is just now showing signs of wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He closes with mention of his ambition to ride until age 60.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Twenty months ago Adam Campton was still working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club unsure of his next career move. He made the snap decision to return to Australia and take out a trainer’s licence. A winner with his very first starter at Warwick set the scene for his immediate future. Since then he’s reeled off more than forty wins and is deadly serious about his future as a trainer. Adam begins by reviewing the short career of Deepour who’s won 5 from 7 since being sourced from the Inglis Digital On Line Sale.
The young trainer talks about his blueblood racing pedigree with special mention of his father Neil, a multiple Gr 1 winning jockey and successful trainer.
Adam talks of his relationship with maternal grandfather, the late Les Coles rider of Even Stevens who won the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1962.
He talks of several other notable racing achievers in the immediate family.
Adam takes us through the many and varied things he tried before settling on a training career. He talks of a short stint working for the Darley operation under Peter Snowden.
He looks back on a lengthy involvement in the hospitality industry. He finished up as bar manager at a western Sydney pub.
The thirty five year old looks back on his time with Rosehill trainer Tim Martin.
Adam then moved into the on- line betting industry where he would spend four valuable years.
He then talks of a very happy four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club looking after the interests of racehorse owners and young members. His partner Tayla Whalley accompanied him to HK.
Adam explains that his decision to return to Australia happened overnight.
He talks of a low key start as a trainer, and pays tribute to Lord Markel, the former Victorian horse who turned up in his Gold Coast stable. This was the horse to give him a dream start in his new role.
Adam talks of the purchase of his own stabling complex and the facilities on offer.
He acknowledges the support he gets from partner Tayla Whalley, a Queensland born girl who has a great affinity with horses.
The trainer talks about the regular video presentation he and Tayla compile for stable clients.
He acknowledges the support of two special work riders.
Adam pays a heartfelt tribute to Lord Markel, the horse he never expected to see in his stable.
He talks of the heartbreaking disappointment he experienced a short time after beginning his training operation.
Adam acknowledges the horses who’ve helped launch his training career.
He talks of the talented Brazilian jockey who made a big impression during a short stay in Queensland.
He has nice things to say about apprentice Yvette Lewis who came to him from the Tamworth stables of Sue Grills.
A little encouragement goes a long way. Adam says his Sydney based mother Trish is the unabashed leader of his fan club.
The trainer talks about his brother-in-law by marriage, the champion Queensland jockey James Orman.
It’s a laid back chat with a young horseman who took a while to sort out his career path. There’s no holding him now.
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Great to catch up with a man who’s had a more diversified background with horses than most Australian trainers. The former Olympic show jumping gun and respected horse breaker Greg Eurell turned to the training of thoroughbreds thirty years ago. Nine Gr 1 wins including a Cox Plate are testimony to his talents. Greg talks about the bustling Cranbourne training centre and the facilities available to trainers.
He talks of his successful training partnership with Jim Mason.
Greg talks of the availability of work riders and the time required to get 60 horses worked.
He acknowledges he talents of his wife Danielle who rides daily trackwork before heading off to her day job in Melbourne- a very unlikely day job at that.
Greg talks about the accessibility of his preferred race meetings.
He takes us back to early days in Sydney’s Hills District and his involvement in pony club.
The talented horseman is reluctant to talk about his inclusion in the Federation Equestrian team as a teenager.
Greg was selected for the Australian squad bound for the Moscow Olympics in 1980. He and team mates were shattered when the Aussie equestrian team withdrew for political reasons.
He says it was a long wait for the 1984 LA Games, but he made the squad again and actually took two horses of his own to the USA. One of them didn’t make it into the arena.
Greg speaks with great reverence of the champion show jumper Johnny Mac, his once in a lifetime horse. He says the horse was discovered by another competitor.
He looks back on Johnny Mac’s stunning success in elite company, and fondly remembers the presentation of a prized trophy by an iconic figure.
Greg discusses Johnny Mac’s pedigree and his unlikely colouring.
He talks of his late father’s busy Sydney plumbing firm.
A qualified plumber himself, Greg decided to move away from the family business and set up shop as a horse breaker in Victoria. He finished up in keen demand and breaking horses for some high profile trainers.
He talks of his modest transition into training and the horses to kick start his new career.
Greg pays tribute to Princess D’Or, the talented mare he brought to Sydney to win an important stakes race at Warwick Farm.
He recalls the first time he laid eyes on the spectacularly marked Apache Cat. He still can’t believe the brilliant sprinter gave him 8 Gr 1 successes.
He talks of the horse’s obscure pedigree and his exceptional temperament.
The trainer takes us through Apache Cat’s amazing career. The horse gave him two major scares during a 19 win career.
The former Olympic competitor talks with great affection about the mare who would become Apache Cat’s successor at the elite level.
Greg remembers the nightmare that unfolded when Pinker Pinker suffered a fatal reaction to a commonly used injection.
The Cranbourne trainer acknowledges a handful of special horses who flew the flag with distinction for the Eurell stable.
It’s a laid back chat with a master horseman.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Always nice to catch up with one of the many young hopefuls trying to establish themselves in the training ranks. The hours are long and the disappointments are many. Ballina’s Ethan Ensby has the right mix of determination and talent to make a go of an unforgiving business. Ethan begins by reviewing his recent run of success on northern tracks.
He talks of the promising Maximum Vortex who came to town after two brilliant Grafton wins. Ethan says the horse wasn’t mentally equipped to handle the task.
The young trainer talks of life in Ballina, and the rapport between local trainers. There’s been a recent arrival from Scone.
Ethan says there is no racing in his family background other than his mother’s role as a Racing NSW swab steward.
The twenty eight year old talks of his pony club days in Casino and the young local horseman he knew, who was destined to become one of Australia’s elite jockeys.
Ethan reflects on his early experience as a trackwork rider and the trainers with whom he was associated.
He looks back on the many ways in which he was able to generate an income from the local racing industry.
Ethan talks of the legacy left by his late great grandmother which enabled him to get on his feet as a trainer.
He talks about the first racehorse he ever owned. The gelding won his first race at Casino in the care of another trainer, but it wasn’t long before Ethan produced him to win on the Gold Coast. A heavy track dimmed the young trainer’s confidence.
Ethan remembers with affection the horse he thought would provide his first city win. After a sequence of country wins Ethan brought Vitervo Star to Rosehill with very high hopes. The story had a sad ending.
He talks of his stabling situation at Ballina and the facilities available to local trainers.
Ethan remembers his early association with the young NZ girl destined to become his partner.
He talks of Jade’s family connection to a famous NZ trotting dynasty, and to her talents as a trackwork rider.
Ethan acknowledges the happy association he’s had with Japanese born jockey Noriyuki Masuda, who’s ridden more winners for the Ensby stable than any other jockey.
He pays tribute to northern rivers veteran Peter Graham whose daughter Cejay is one of his “go to” jockeys.
Like many smaller stables, Ensby Racing utilises the resources of the bi-monthly Inglis Digital Online Sale. He’s had some excellent results, and highlights some recent acquisitions.
Ethan leaves no doubt he’s in the training business for the long haul.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Great to catch up with a highly qualified lady who couldn’t imagine a life without horses. Despite holding a Bachelor Of Arts and a Degree in Accountancy, Natalie Jarvis opted for a career as a horse trainer. Natalie and husband Luke are currently running a successful training operation at the beautiful South Coast hamlet of Moruya. She talks about Thorotek Racing’s headquarters.
Natalie says she likes to keep all horses in an outside environment.
She talks about the grass track facilities, beach and river swimming availability and the peaceful bushland riding trails.
The trainer acknowledges husband Luke’s role in the operation.
She’ll long remember the thrill of producing four winners on Moruya Cup day with 130 stable clients in attendance.
Natalie takes us back to childhood days at Terrey Hills where she and sister Stephanie were riding horses from an early age.
She talks of her parents who had little interest in horses as their daughters were growing up. Today they’re keen followers of Natalie’s horses.
Natalie looks back on her two stints at Sydney’s Macquarie University.
She remembers her two years in the Racing NSW Finance Dept.
Natalie recalls her visit to an open day at the Hawkesbury TAFE equine management school and the good advice she received. She was directed to Muskoka Farm at Gunderman where her education with thoroughbreds began.
She remembers a learning stint at the Hawkesbury Valley stables of trainer Warwick Hailes.
Natalie fondly recalls the experience gained at the Ingham’s Belmont Park spelling and pre-training farm at North Richmond. During this time she met her future husband.
She looks back on the horses who got her training career under way.
Natalie talks of her regular use of the Inglis Digital platform and the handy horses she’s been able to source.
The trainer explains that she and Luke are prepared to travel to distant meetings within a five hour time frame.
Natalie acknowledges the jockeys with whom she’s enjoyed successful associations. She’s still riding the lion’s share of trackwork herself.
Had racing not gotten in the way, this lady would probably be running a busy accountancy firm by now. Like so many before her, Natalie Jarvis is totally “hooked” on racing.
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
The popular north coast jockey knew something was wrong the moment she hit the ground in the early part of a Port Macquarie track gallop in April. She’d been back in the saddle for just three weeks following a lengthy break for the birth of her first baby. Belinda says she’s making good progress seven weeks after the spill.
Belinda expresses her appreciation for the skills of her orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cree.
She says the horse she was riding in the track gallop was the quietest in the stable.
Belinda outlines the cause of the fall, and her decision to remain completely still.
The jockey talks of her first few rides back following extended “maternity leave”.
Belinda says she’d been riding work for Port Macquarie trainer Paul Shailer for many weeks before taking race rides.
She shares the remarkable story of her birth in Kempsey in the early 1990’s. Her arrival caught everyone by surprise.
Belinda talks of her early life in Perth and a move back to Kempsey in 2002. When she made the decision to become a jockey, her mother Julie took out a trainer’s licence simply to apprentice her daughter.
She recalls her first race ride and her first win at Taree on Melbourne Cup day 2008.
The jockey remembers the ill judged ride on one of her mother’s horses that triggered the transfer of her indentures to another trainer.
Belinda reflects on time spent with trainers Gordon Yorke, Ross Stitt, Marc Quinn and latterly with John Morrisey on the Gold Coast.
This recent fall isn’t her first. She looks back on the time when she spent twenty months on the sidelines in a four year period.
Belinda says her mother Julie is now out of racing and running a business in Grafton. She talks of other family members.
She looks back on two wonderful seasons which brought her a total of 115 NSW winners.
Belinda remembers some of her best country wins and acknowledges the support of one particular northern trainer.
The talented jockey pays tribute to the veteran northern jockey who became a valued early tutor.
She says he hasn’t had the good fortune to ride a top class horse, but makes mention of a few talented “bushies”.
Belinda speaks of fiance Drew Smith, a former north coast Chairman of Stewards and currently the manager of several prominent jockeys and one leading northern rivers trainer.
She says she won’t even contemplate her likely future until her recovery is complete.
This is an interesting chat with one of the best of a strong group of female jockeys in northern NSW.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Great to catch up with an ever enthusiastic Todd Smart who’s based at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park with his fifteen horse team. A welder by trade, Todd graduated from bull riding to thoroughbreds when he sustained a serious shoulder injury. He’s sure it was meant to happen. He talks of early mornings in the bleak Canberra winters.
Todd says he began his training career at Wagga but was talked into a move to Canberra by a fellow trainer.
He talks of his early life in Gundagai and early education on his favourite pony.
Todd pays tribute to the local trainer who taught him the basics of horse management.
He remembers his reluctance to join the family butchering business, and the completion of his welding apprenticeship.
Todd looks back on an unlikely connection with bull riding and his relocation to Canada in quest of big prize money. He doesn’t remember a lot about his major accident.
The trainer talks of his return home for surgery, and a subsequent trip to London with a group of mates. This is where he deployed his welding talents.
Smart hasn’t forgotten the phone call to Randwick trainer John O’Shea which would set him on the path to a life in racing.
He talks of his introduction to riding trackwork, and fondly recalls a couple of special horses on the O’Shea team.
Todd remembers a move to Melbourne and a job with a leading trainer which lasted only four days.
He remembers the chance phone call to a Melbourne based friend who told him of a job opportunity destined to change his life.
Todd regards himself as extremely lucky to have known and worked with the recently retired Colin Little.
You’ll enjoy the Canberra horseman’s reminiscences about his time at the unique Macedon Lodge training operation.
Todd remembers Macedon for another special reason. One night at the Macedon pub he met the remarkable lady who would become his wife and the mother of his son Harry. Todd and Jayann are a great combination.
When it was time to launch his own training career, he was fortunate to acquire boxes at the Wagga racecourse. He knew the going would be tough but was in for a major shock. He was close to quitting before he started.
He pays tribute to the former John O’Shea galloper who got him up and running.
Todd speaks of the history behind the acquisition of his dazzling stable colours.
The dedicated horseman runs through some of the talented horses who’ve helped him along in recent years with special acknowledgement of Love Shuck who recently provided his career highlight at Scone.
Todd speaks of a promising unraced horse he has in the stable currently. Might be one for the punters to watch.
It was nice to catch up with the trainer once described by Colin Little as a “gun horseman”.
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
In a way it’s a pity this podcast was recorded ten days before Crafty Eagle’s brilliant win in Saturday’s Midway. I’m sure syndicator Steve Vardy would have been very excited by the dominance of the win. Steve worked for some years as a plumber and car detailer before biting the bullet and acquiring his syndicator’s licence as recently as 2020. Steve begins by revisiting the magical morning at Warwick Farm trackwork when he fell in love with thoroughbreds.
He talks about his years in the trades, and the nagging desire to do something in the racing industry.
Steve recalls his very first venture into horse ownership- a small share in a horse called King Lear who was destined to win seven races.
His admiration for King Lear led him to the purchase of a half brother. He syndicated the youngster among friends and associates and had the thrill of seeing him win at Port Macquarie for trainer Kristen Buchanan.
He talks of another Port Macquarie win provided by Kristen, who’s one of Vardy Thoroughbreds’ regular trainers.
Steve fondly recalls his very first serious appearance at the Inglis Classic Sale where he bought a Star Turn filly for $50,000. She’s already a two time winner and very promising. He looks back on the whole exciting experience, and acknowledges Marc Quinn’s involvement in the syndication of the filly.
Steve looks back on the acquisition of Crafty Eagle at the Inglis Ready To Race Sale. He summarises the promising gelding’s career so far.
He talks of the progress made by a filly called Hellbent On You who’s been showing great promise at the trials for trainer John Thompson.
Steve talks of other young horses he currently has in work with his “go to” trainers- John Thompson, Kristen Buchanan, Marc Quinn and Brad Widdup.
He acknowledges the support of business partner Gavin Clugston who’s actively involved in the operation of Vardy Thoroughbreds.
Steve pays a heartfelt tribute to his wife Louise and their young family. He makes special mention of Brook and Matt, elder children from his previous marriage.
The syndicator issues an invitation for interested parties to join him on Sunday June 4th at Hanover Lodge Wilberforce, where five yearlings will be paraded.
Steve expresses the intention of his company to find a suitable home for horses when their racing careers are over.
He acknowledges the support he receives from Paringa Stud at Gresford.
Steve endorses the work of syndication companies who endeavour to make ownership a reality for the smaller players, in a very expensive business.
It’s a laid back chat with a man who knew what he wanted in life, the moment he saw track workers emerge from the fog at Warwick Farm more than four decades ago.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Craig Rixon was one of those jockeys who flew under the radar for most of his twenty year career. He concentrated largely on provincial and country tracks, but lacked nothing against the top riders whenever he came to town. He quit the saddle in 2006 and immediately joined the ranks of jockey agents. He took to his new career with ease. Craig talks about some of the jockeys he’s managed in recent years.
He makes special mention of talented apprentice Anna Roper who was making headlines before she suffered a complicated knee injury last November.
Craig speaks highly of Donovan Yeo, a former South African jockey who’s getting close to making his Australian debut.
He says he was very small when he began his apprenticeship with Kevin Wallis at Hawkesbury.
Craig had more than the required number of barrier trial rides before applying for his ticket to ride in races. He was shattered when he got a refusal at the first attempt.
He looks back on his first race ride at Newcastle.
Craig talks of the ten year old boy who helped him with his riding gear in the jockey’s room.
His first winner came at his 17th race ride in 1984. He has a photograph on the wall at home. It’s the only racing photo he displays.
Craig has never forgotten his first city win on a horse trained by the remarkable Betty Lane- the first female trainer to be licensed by the AJC.
He recalls the transfer of his indentures to Rosehill trainer Ted Stanton.
Craig looks back on the wonderful support he received from Stanton. He remembers some of his winners for the stable and the tuition he received from veteran jockey Cliff Clare.
Rixon talks of the WA filly Ted Stanton looked after during a Sydney preparation. He handled her in all of her trackwork and is adamant she’s the best horse he ever rode.
He remembers the part he played in a Randwick win on a Stanton trained horse which landed a huge plunge.
The former jockey talks about his rewarding association with astute Hawkesbury trainer Jack Jury. Together they won a string of races with the precocious two year old Dapper Magic in the early 90’s.
He recalls winning rides on other Jury trained horses.
Craig talks of the support he received from high profile trainers during his years at Rosehill. He makes special mention of Barry Lockwood.
He looks back on two winning quintets on country tracks.
Craig talks of his “sea change” in 2003. He actually built a house at Port Macquarie and spent three happy years riding on the North Coast. He won many races including a string of country Cups.
Nowadays Craig not only manages a handful of jockeys from his Newcastle office, but actually supplies form analysis to fellow jockey managers.
He concludes with one special memory from a Rosehill meeting over twenty years ago. He got a handshake and a greeting from the man who held the highest office in the land. He was stunned.
It’s a laid back chat with the man they call “Cricket”.