John Tapp Racing

Jodi Quinlan was pretty sore and sorry when we recorded this podcast, but you’d never pick it. Only a week earlier she had a confrontation with an ill tempered maiden trotter in the Melton float parking area, and came off second best. We’re talking about a tough little lady who’s had several race falls in a twenty eight year career, but none of them hurt as much as this one did. Jodi talks about the accident, and the career that has brought her 2300 wins in the sulky.

Had Glen Colless decided to remain in his native Coffs Harbour, he would have carved out a stellar career riding around the northern rivers. As soon as his apprenticeship finished with the Trevor Hardy stable, he decided to pull up stakes and head for the Gold Coast- a decision he has never regretted. He forged a spectacular association with trainer Alan Bailey, and got to ride many talented horses. Glen has more than 1000 wins behind him, and multiple Gr 1 success. He’s had to overcome the rigours of a couple of freak accidents, but is keener than ever. Great to catch up with one of Queensland’s best.

I’m planning to talk to several country based trainers during 2019. The emergence of the TAB Highway races in Sydney, has brought many new training faces into the spotlight. This week we talk to Tamworth’s Sue Grills, who was NSW country trainer of the year in the 2014/15 season. Sue brings an occasional horse to the “big smoke”, and is rarely far away. She tried her hand as a jockey, at a time when nobody wanted female riders. Lack of opportunity finally led her to the training ranks, and she has greeted the judge close to 700 times. Sue begins with her strong family background in racing.

In Part 2 Ron takes us through the tough transition to the ranks of Sydney trainers. He talks about the best horses he’s prepared, his role as a tutor of young jockeys, and his riding stints in Ireland. Ron Quinton OAM is a welcome guest on the Xmas podcast.

In Part 1 Ron talks about his childhood on the family farm at Mendooran, and his early introduction to horses.He recalls happy times during his apprenticeship to Theo Green, master tutor of jockeys. Ron pays tribute to the wonderful horses who contributed to his dominant years in Sydney racing. He got to ride some of the best of the era.

Delighted to welcome Blake Shinn to the podcast. One of Australia’s riding elite, Blake has been out since August recovering from spinal injuries sustained in a Randwick barrier trial. He talks about the highs and lows of his spectacular career, and his favourite horses and horse people.

I had many a conversation with Richard Freedman at Sky Channel, and not once did he hint that he might train horses again. Two years ago the bug bit him when he pre trained a few for brother Michael at Hawkesbury. Now, Richard and son Will have thirty horses in work at Rosehill. He talks about early days on Hardwicke Stud, the beginning of “the brotherhood” in Melbourne, and the wonderful horses to pass through their hands. He’s good listening is old Richard.

This week’s guest is former talented jockey Larry Olsen who tells the story of his nightmare struggle with weight. In this podcast he recalls his apprenticeship with Mal Barnes, and the horses that kick started his career. He talks of the tortures of the sweat box, and how he eventually had to walk away from racing to save his sanity. Larry also reflects on three years out of the game, and his decision to attempt a comeback. And what a comeback! A Melbourne Cup and a Golden Slipper and the ability to ride light for the first time in his life.

Punters were completely puzzled when the name J. Van Overmeire started to appear in Sydney race fields, just over two years ago. They quickly learned that the young jockey was apprenticed to Bjorn Baker, and they quickly learned that he could ride a bit. One hundred and fifty two winners later, Jean is accepted by both punters and trainers alike. His journey through several countries makes a fascinating story, and Jean is happy to share it with us on the podcast.

In Part 2 Fred Kersley talks about the struggle he had to gain his thoroughbred trainer’s licence. It’s a treat to hear the maestro reminisce about the champion Northerly, who catapulted him to the upper echelon of galloping trainers.

It’s hard to believe Fred Kersley is approaching his 80th birthday. The remarkable horseman is just as passionate today, as he was at any stage of his career. And what a career it’s been. 2,288 winners as a harness trainer in WA, and even more as a driver. Sixteen training premierships, and more as a driver. It took Fred a while to gain his license to train gallopers, but he’s made up for lost time. He’s won 544 races with the thoroughbreds, and has prepared four million dollar plus horses. One of them was the great Northerly, winner of 9 Gr 1 races. In Part 1 Fred talks about the influence of his father and grandfather, and the battle he had to establish his own identity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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