John Tapp Racing

“Who’s the bloke on Mystic Journey?” has been a commonly asked question since the Tasmanian filly emerged as a potential Group 1 contender. The bloke on Mystic Journey is thirty six year old Anthony Darmanin, who’s been a jockey for many years earning the bulk of his livelihood as a track work rider for Lloyd Williams, at the famous Macedon Lodge training property. A few years ago Anthony decided to fly to the regular Sunday race meetings in Tasmania, and it wasn’t long before his talents were recognised. One of his supporters was trainer Adam Trinder who had no hesitation in putting Anthony on his star filly, and the rest is history. You’ll enjoy Anthony’s story.

At 41 years of age Jason Coyle is embarking on the most exciting phase of his career. His future looked rosy a few years ago when invited to train horses for Nathan Tinkler who had launched a massive racing initiative under the Patinack banner. Jason was left high and dry when the Patinack empire fell over, and had to start all over again. It’s been a long, hard road but the winners are flowing again, and so is the support of loyal owners. Jason Coyle is emerging as one serious horse trainer.

In part 2 Michael pays tribute to two great horses sent to Australia by Sheikh Hamdan. He reflects on his association with At Talaq- a Melbourne Cup winner who could sprint like an Everest horse. He recalls the brilliant but unsound Almaarad, one of his two Cox Plate winners. Michael remembers his idol, the late Roy Higgins who was always willing to give younger riders a helping hand. I hope you enjoy a long overdue chat with a jockey who left an indelible mark on Australian racing.

I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve queried the whereabouts of Michael Clarke over the last decade. Michael retired in 2002, but actually rode the last 6 or 7 years of his career overseas. It’s a quarter of a century since M.Clarke’s name appeared in race books and form guides in Australia. Old friends have been delighted to see him back at the races lately, to monitor the progress of his son, brilliant apprentice Michael Poy. I’m thrilled to have Michael on the podcast this week. He talks about his son’s career, and reflects on his own wonderful years he in racing. In part 1 Michael goes back to his accidental meeting with Colin Hayes, and his association with the master trainer. He comprehensively traces his partnership with the great horse Better Loosen Up, and highlights some of his best performances. Hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane with Michael Clarke.

It takes a brave and passionate man to venture into the field of professional horse training in Sydney. The big stables totally dominate the scene- the smaller ones have to battle for the leftovers. At 38 years of age, David Pfieffer has already been training in his own right for close to a decade, posting 300 winners to date. He has a loyal owner base, a dedicated staff and a team of 35 horses in his Warwick Farm stable.  David’s had a healthy number of stakes winners, and although he doesn’t want to be typecast,  it’s no coincidence that he has a great strike rate with fillies and mares. Have a listen to his story.

Perth’s Darren McAullay is the best promoter Western Australian racing has ever had. His distinctive style, and his unbridled passion for the sport has endeared him to racing audiences all over Australia. Here is a bloke who was born and reared at Kalgoorlie, and has been mad about racing from an early age. At age 10 he stationed himself in front of the starting gates with a flag, just in case there was a false start. There was no false start in life for Darren McAullay. He “flew the lids”, and hasn’t looked back. You’ll love his story.

In keeping with our policy of introducing country trainers on the podcast, it’s a delight to chat with Ross Stitt who’s been churning out the winners from his Taree stable for more than four decades. One of 9 kids from a dairy farming family, young Ross started his working life doing a milk run around town. His fascination with horses led him to a full time career as a trainer. His results on northern NSW tracks have been spectacular, and he’s got a healthy strike rate in the big smoke too.

In part 2 Tony talks of his heyday at Mornington, when he was training a team of 100 horses. He reflects on the wonderful horses who’ve shaped his career, and the great jockeys with whom he’s had a winning association. Tony Noonan is a good listen.

In part 1 Tony Noonan talks about childhood days with his mother’s family who whet his appetite for racing. He talks of his early working days as a Marist Bros teacher, all the while just wanting to be a horse trainer. He talks of the old friend who taught him the basics of the training caper. He remembers the devastation left in the wake of his biggest owner walking out with thirty horses.

Sydney harness racing fans are familiar with Todd McCarthy’s meteoric rise in a few short years. He has had to step out of the shadow of his high achieving father and brothers, and make his own way in a tough game. Todd has succeeded in a spectacular way. He talks about his early days, the influence of his family, and the horses who’ve shaped his career. He pays special tribute to the amazing Tiger Tara.

This is the first interview I’ve ever conducted with Dwayne Dunn. I’ve been a fan throughout his thirty year career, but our paths have never crossed. Any racing fan would know of his many achievements in the saddle, and the esteem in which he’s held by major stables. I’ve also discovered during the course of arranging this podcast, that Dwayne is a complete professional. Great to catch up with him.

In part two of the podcast Michael Cahill remembers Falvelon as the fastest horse he ever rode. He talks of his time in Hong Kong and Macau. The latter contract took him to a jockeys title, and a Derby win. He recalls some of the talented horses he’s ridden, his premiership battles in Brisbane, and the inevitable injuries. He pays tribute to his brother Matthew, who stayed at Cowra, destined to become a champion jockey in the NSW Central west. Michael talks about his likely future.

It’s great to catch up with a jockey who’s been the ultimate professional for four decades. Michael Cahill was born into a great racing family at Cowra(NSW). He was probably resigned to the career of a bush jockey in his early days, but decided on a change of direction twenty two years ago. An offer from Bruce McLachlan initially took him to Queensland, and he’s been among Brisbane’s top jockeys ever since. In part 1 of the podcast Michael talks of his strong family background in racing, and his first taste of the big smoke. He recalls his time working at Mike Willesee’s Trandmedia Stud, and a stint as stable jockey for top Riverina trainer Richard Freyer.

Great to catch up with a young lady who is rapidly establishing herself in the Sydney training ranks. Kristen Buchanan lived in WA as a youngster, and attained Uni Degrees in Biology and Exercise Physiology. Those qualifications would have given her any number of job choices,  but training racehorses was all she wanted to do. It’s been a tough ten years for Kristen, but determination and talent have taken her a long way.

When the website began in May of last year, Rodney Quinn was one of my very early podcast guests. He’d been retired for five years, and was well entrenched in his new role as tutor of apprentices with Racing NSW. What a magnificent career he had. Forty years in the saddle, and success at the highest level, but most importantly the profound respect of all sections of the industry. If you missed this very early podcast, I’m delighted to give it another run. Here comes Rodney Quinn Take 2.

Bob reminisces about horses like Danewin, Slight Chance and Shogun Lodge who won many Group 1 races. He talks of the jockeys who helped him along the way, and the apprentices he tutored .

Bob Thomsen taught himself the basics of horsemanship at a riding school, before becoming apprenticed to Tommy Smith in 1957. He rode 40 winners, most of them on metropolitan tracks before a disagreement with TJ  changed his life. Bob took out his own trainer’s licence, and after a modest start went on to reach the pinnacle of the profession. He talks frankly about those early days.

In keeping with our plan to introduce country based trainers from time to time, we introduce the lady known as the “Baroness Of Bombala”. Barbara Joseph started with a $600 horse at Bombala 40 years ago. Her journey has taken her to a Group 1 Doncaster at Royal Randwick, and 1200 other winners along the way. Barb talks about her new training partnership with her sons Paul and Matthew.

This week we welcome another member of the famous Fitzpatrick clan-a  dominant force on the Sydney harness racing scene for decades.  Thirty five year old Blake Fitzpatrick won a Harold Park premiership at 18, and has driven more than a hundred winners in a season 8 times on NSW tracks. Blake reviews a great career.

I’ve known few more passionate racing men than Louis Mihalyka, who founded Laurel Oak Thoroughbreds 32 years ago. Like most syndicators he would buy yearlings, and then advertise heavily in the search for new owners. Fourteen years ago he changed direction and renamed the company Laurel Oak Bloodstock. He realised he should service existing clients exclusively, and give them whatever they wanted- yearlings, stallions, broodmares and various other racing involvements. Louis handles every request, and nobody does it better. It’s a treat to listen to a man who just lives racing.