John Tapp Racing

The moment news of Ray’s retirement hit the airwaves it became a priority to lock him in for a podcast. After all I have known the man for fifty four years, and we spent a lot of time together in his early days with the 2GB Macquarie team. His journey in Australian sports media has been a fascinating one- from a humble start as a harness racing commentator on Riverina tracks, to the upper echelon of Australian sports broadcasting. He admits there was a major degree of sadness surrounding his decision to retire. Ray says a century of State Of Origins would have been the perfect way to end his career, but he resisted the temptation. He talks of wife Cher’s concerns about his increasing anxiety attacks. Ray was happy to talk of his early family life in Junee. He was the youngest of seven born to parents Joe and Win. He pays tribute to his Mum and Dad. He reminisces about a trip he and I made to Junee in the early 70’s. Our opportunity to call a race or two at the Junee trots was thwarted by a freak cloudburst. 

Great to catch up with the girl who left her busy father a note to ask for her first pony. Robert Murray agreed, and the first stone was laid on the path to his daughter’s career as a respected professional jockey. Rachael’s on the injured list at the moment otherwise she would have been difficult to pin down for an interview. She looks back on the day she left that note on the kitchen table. Rachael looks back on her early life on the family farm near Inverell, with her recollections of some severe droughts. She talks of the talents of the little grey pony called Suzie and some fun filled days at pony club. Rachael remembers her second horse- a quarter horse gelding who had little natural talent. She had to educate him from scratch. She talks of her siblings and pays tribute to her mother Rosemarie who had the job of taking her to horse events all over the north western region. Rachael talks of her university enrolment and the degree she attained in Agricultural Sciences. One of her classmates was an apprent

It’s a pity we didn’t get to talk to Kim about her stunning Rosehill double with French Bonnet and Kingsheir on Saturday. This interview was recorded the previous day shortly after she’d arrived home from the Gosford trials. Kim talks about the frustration trainers are experiencing with the neverending run of wet tracks in Sydney.  She talks about the twenty hectare property at Jilliby where all of her horses are spelled and pre-trained before going into her Wyong stables. Sometimes they go back to the property for a freshen up. Kim talks of the recently retired Trumbull, one of her all time favourites. She says he hasn’t been the same horse since suffering a heart arrhythmia last year. The successful trainer talks of her childhood obsession with horses and early days in pony club. Kim talks of her introduction to harness racing and her first boss, the extraordinary horseman Charlie Parsons. Anybody in the district who had a problem horse went to Charlie Parsons. She talks of her first winning drive and her i

Great to catch up with Barry Lockwood who’s back on deck following two unrelated health issues. The talented horseman talks openly about his serious cancer scare, and the loss of a toe as a result of a golden staph infection. His famous sense of humour is never far away. Barry pays tribute to son Rick who ran the stable during his father’s lengthy hospitalisation.  He talks of his relocation from stables near the 1800m mark at Eagle Farm to the infield barn. Barry talks of his early life in Tamworth and the racing interests of his dad Ross. His interest in horses led him to an apprenticeship with veteran Tamworth farrier Arthur Marshall who taught him the finer points of the blacksmithing business. He talks of the many skills of his tutor. Barry became a commercial farrier and was always in demand. The experience he gained in those early days has served him well. He recalls a phone call from Rosehill trainer Paul Sutherland which led to his first job out of Tamworth. Barry talks of a surprise offer he receive

When Cliff Brown arrived in Singapore in 2008 equine virus had paralysed the racing industry in most parts of eastern Australia. It was nine months before Cliff was able to transport Aussie horses to his new training base. After a tardy start he went on to enjoy 13 fruitful years in Singapore. He talks of the endless Covid lockdown which brought him back to Australia last year. Cliff looks back on a very satisfying thirteen years in a city he grew to love.   The trainer profiles some very talented horses he got to train in Singapore. There was one he didn’t train but admired greatly. Cliff talks about The Inferno who won eight of his nine starts in Singapore before being flown to Melbourne where he won the McEwen Stakes before being narrowly beaten in the Gr 1 Moir. Those performances earned him an invitation into The Everest. The fifty two year old horseman takes us back to his early years at Narbethong where his father bred a few horses. Cliff says his dad Don wasn’t a hands on horseman but an expert on tho

James Heddo thought he was in need of a change of career direction when he resigned from the ATC Executive team in 2020. He found that. change in the hospitality industry, spending some 15 months as CEO of the Terrigal Bowling Club. He hadn’t factored in the withdrawal symptoms associated with leaving the racing industry after 33 years. Few were surprised when he was recently appointed as CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club. We talk to James about time away from the racetrack. He talks of the rich history of racing in the Hawkesbury region, and the high profile Sydney trainers who are clamoring for stable accommodation.  James takes us back to the Doomben meeting he attended with his mother and siblings in 1978. He says the outing was the catalyst for his career in racing even though he was completely lost on the day. He looks back on the special day a decade later when he started his new job as a racing assistant with the Sydney Turf Club. Part of the job was to attend Rosehill trackwork every morning. Some of h

“He always seems to have a handy horse in the stable”, is an old racing adage which traditionally applies to smaller racing stables. Steve Englebrecht has been one of those trainers for most of his forty year career. The semi retired horseman has only two horses in work currently, but both can gallop. He talks about his promising three year old filly Chilko Lake. Steve talks about the filly’s sire Vancouver. Although a Golden Slipper winner himself, he seems to be producing horses who handle a middle distance effectively. He also explains the derivation of Chilko Lake’s name. The trainer talks about early days in Muswellbrook and the influence of his parents Ron and Rita -both horse trainers. Steve pays tribute to the best horse he’s ever put a bridle on. Steve recalls his move to Gosford and the Queensland horse who kick started his solo training career. He looks back on his move to Warwick Farm and acknowledges the reliable horses who’ve kept his name to the fore over 25 years. Winning Hand, Irish Rort, San

Great to catch up with a very switched on trainer who has sailed past the 1000 career win tally. Joe explains that he discourages owners from keeping horses who are not paying their way. He talks of his non racing family background and the early punting involvement that sparked his love of racing. Joe talks about the Psychology Degree he embarked upon at Sydney University. His parents were displeased when he quit after the first year. The trainer looks back on his invaluable four years as stable foreman for the master trainer John Size. Joe reflects on his decision to go solo when John Size accepted an offer to train in Hong Kong. He remembers his first training success at Wyong in 2001, and his initial city winner. Joe profiles Red Oog, his first elite level horse and the first of his 14 Gr 1 wins. The fifty year old has great affection for Vision And Power who came to him from Victoria with one win on his CV. He went on to win two Gr 1’s. He pays tribute to an all time favourite Terravista, winner of 11 rac

Thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Sheila Laxon ONZM who’s now training in tandem with her partner John Symons on the Sunshine Coast.Welsh born Sheila was riding ponies on the family farm at age three, a precursor to a fascinating life with horses.  She begins by recalling her first meeting with John Symons when she brought Ethereal over for the 2001 Victorian spring carnival. Sheila says John was training a pretty good two year old colt at the time who would go on to spectacular racetrack and stud success. She talks of life on the Sunshine Coast and a Magic Millions Country Cup success. Welsh born Sheila recalls her early childhood in Pontypridd where she learned to ride bareback. She looks back on early experience with the Ted Long stables at Eltham and a subsequent job with John Dunlop at the Duke Of Norfolk’s famous Arundel training centre. Sheila remembers her world trip at age 18 and her fascination with NZ racing. On returning to NZ later she was able to gain an amateur jockey’s licence. She was a winn

Despite missing the first month of the current racing season, Brooke Stower finds herself in 15th spot on the NSW jockey’s premiership ladder with over three months to go. Brooke spent a full year on the sidelines after a freakish accident at Grafton in 2020. Her comeback has been one of the best racing stories in recent years. We talk to the Tamworth based jockey about the endless miles she travels to bush meetings. The young jockey fondly remembers the winning double at Grafton last year which catapulted her back into the winner’s circle. Brooke talks of her Toowoomba based family and their passion for the campdrafting sport. She also highlights the career of uncle Michael Boyce Jnr, a former jockey who won two races on a champion NZ galloper. The twenty eight year old reflects on her apprenticeship to Toowoomba trainer Tony Sears.   She explains that Tony wasn’t the trainer of her very first winner. She had to drive seven hours to Cunnamulla to achieve that feat.   The jockey pays tribute to a couple of sp

After a brief career as an apprentice jockey and an even briefer one in the harness racing sport, Kevin Kemp acquired his thoroughbred trainer’s license in1975. He worked another job for two years before focusing full time on a career which has taken him to the top bracket of Queensland’s training ranks.  Kev talks about a couple of his most recent winners Winter Rain and  Mishani Mistress. He mentions Alert And Ready and Ilikeit Iloveit two handy fillies who’ve each won 3 races at Toowoomba. He speaks very highly of apprentice Montanna Savva who’s 2kgs claim is rapidly expiring.  Kevin reviews the dramatic improvement in Savva’s riding over twelve months. He acknowledges  Skye Bogenhuber, a five time Toowoomba premiership winner who helps him out at Clifford Park trackwork.  In 2012 Kevin moved into the stables previously occupied by the legendary Jim Atkins. He says he’s mindful of the part this property played in Toowoomba racing history. He looks back on childhood days at Mitchell, 90kms from Roma and man

John Hutchings was one of the most gifted country jockeys of his generation. Between the mid 1960’s and mid 1990’s John rode 1470 winners and won nine jockey’s apprenticeships, three of them while still an apprentice. Now in retirement at Grafton, he was happy to reminisce on the podcast. John says he’s not much heavier than he was at the end of his riding career. He talks of his Grafton property and the lucerne crop he maintains to supply hay to local racing people. John looks back on his brilliant riding career and rues his long term use of fluid pills and hunger suppressants. The former champion jockey talks of his heart scare six years ago. John pays tribute to his wife Julie, one of few female board members on Australian racing clubs. He talks of the two sons who chose not to follow Dad into the racing industry. “Hutcho” talks of his jockey brother Warren. They were both apprenticed to the same Grafton trainer. John remembers two protest hearings in which they were involved. He pays tribute to his former

As this podcast goes onto the website Chris Alford is closing in on an astonishing 7650 career wins which include 124 Gr 1’s. To put those figures into perspective we should look at the Australian riding record held by NSW jockey Robert Thompson who retired last year with a record of 4447 wins. He’d been riding for 48 years and was 63 years old when he quit the saddle. Chris Alford is approaching 54 and has been race driving for 38 years. When not at the races, the champion reinsman is working horses at home for his trainer wife Alison. He talks about their Bolinda training property. Chris talks about the massive number of hours he’s spent on the road during his career. He fondly remembers his late father Barry, a successful trainer and driver in his own right. Barry stood down from the driving duties when his son emerged as a budding talent. Chris talks of his father’s battle with diabetes and his sad passing 16 years ago. He talks of his early departure from school to pursue a career in harness racing. The

We introduce a hard working Queensland jockey who more than holds his own in the fiercely competitive Brisbane riding ranks. Michael reflects on a milestone win at a recent Gold Coast meeting- his 700th since his riding career began under amazing circumstances. Michael acknowledges the emergence of young trainer Indiana Turner who was in the winner’s circle for the first time. The jockey says he had no idea about his upcoming career milestone until he heard other jockeys talking about a new on line service.   He says the Queensland riding ranks are as strong as they’ve been in years.   Michael takes us back to the day he bought his first car in Wollongong. He was attracted to some racing photos on the wall in the car dealer’s office. He talks of his enrolment in a Racing NSW/Tafe course at Orange NSW. Michael looks back on work experience with Dubbo trainer Peter Nestor and his initial indentureship to Wade and Doreen Slinkard at Hawkesbury. He looks back on subsequent apprenticeships at Orange and Kembla Gra

Great to catch up with Bill Prain who called it quits in 2018 when his great friend and valued client Fred Peisah succumbed to illness. Bill had been adamant for some time that he’d retire if ever Fred left the racing industry. He talks of Peisah’s unwavering loyalty over three decades. Now in retirement on the Gold Coast, Bill says he’s still an avid race watcher. He talks of childhood days in Parramatta, and the nickname bestowed upon him by his mother- a nickname he’s never been able to shake. Bill talks of his father Col, a former bush jockey in Queensland. Prain Snr had always hoped one of the family would follow in his footsteps. Bill remembers his original apprenticeship to Vic Thompson Snr at Rosehill. The tiny apprentice became disillusioned after two years and looked for a change of stables. You won’t believe the luck that came his way. Twelve months later Bill had his first race ride at Gosford. He had the race won won two strides from home. Just when he was thinking he’d never ride a winner, Prain

With the 2022 Inglis Easter Sale upon us we thought it timely to chat with long time vendor John Muir. The former high profile car dealer runs Milburn Creek, a boutique breeding farm at Wildes Meadow on the Southern Highlands. John begins by talking about the 2018 sale of the landmark Muir’s Motors  dealership on Parramatta Rd. Ashfield.  John reveals that his late father Les Muir had predicted the intrusion of an underground road link.  He talks of his father’s early connection with General Motors Holden which in the 1950’s commanded a major percentage of the Sydney car market.  John looks back on childhood days in a house situated right on the car yard. He recalls teaching himself to ride on an uncle’s pony. Later he got to ride a pony owned by a Randwick horse trainer who didn’t think much of his style in the saddle. He talks of an early work experience stint with a legendary horse trainer. John predictably joined Muir’s Motors but got no favours. He remembers some of the thankless jobs his father gave him

Great to catch up with Robert Morris, one of Australia’s busiest harness racing drivers. The thirty year old has driven 100 winners or more on NSW tracks for the past ten seasons. Rob’s wife Kerry Ann trains a 50 horse team at Menangle, and is already a two time premiership winner. She takes her horses where they have the best chance of earning prize money. Robert talks of his role as Kerry Ann’s stable driver. He explains his duties in the day to day running of the successful stable. Rob’s been around the money many times on the premiership ladder. He believes his time will come. He pays tribute to the training and driving talents of his wife. The young reinsman looks back on his upbringing in the harness racing sport, and the influence of his father Peter Morris. He says he was intimidated by Peter’s reputation as one of the best drivers of his generation. Rob’s mother Margaret gets the acknowledgement she so richly deserves. Young Morris speaks glowingly of son Archie (6) and daughter Stella (11 mon

When Colin Little walked away from his Caulfield training base late last year, he knew that retirement wasn’t too far away. He intended to keep training at Pakenham in the immediate future, but an ironic twist of fate intervened. Early in March he made the snap decision to relinquish his licence. He joins us on the podcast to explain the reason for his hasty departure.  Colin talks of his attachment to Caulfield where he was born, and would spend his entire racing life. He reflects on the riding career of his jockey father Bill Little, who was one of many Australian jockeys to ride in India in the 1930’s and 40’s. He looks back on his own original apprenticeship to Rod Turvey and a subsequent transfer to a former champion jockey who was getting his training career under way in Melbourne. Col admits his riding career was brief and unspectacular. He pays tribute to the legendary Caulfield trained racehorse Lord who dominated weight for age racing in Melbourne in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Caulfield trac

Bob Lapointe was just 26 years old and didn’t know a soul when he arrived in Australia in 1967. Within a few years he’d become the king of fast food dining in this country. He ventured into varied business interests including horse racing. It wasn’t long before he was leaving his mark on the turf. We caught up with Bob at his beloved Muskoka Farm which he established more than fifty years ago. With a tinge of sadness Bob reveals that he and his wife Wendy will soon be moving on. Bob takes us back to his early life in Canada and an enrolment in a Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Administration course at Ryerson Uni. He talks of his early interest in the hospitality industry. He has never forgotten his first meeting with Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders. He says the colourful character had a huge impact on his life. Bob says he owned eight KFC stores at home before he left for Australia with a brief to launch the concept here. He recalls feeling very intimidated when he stepped off the plane in Syd

Gary Kliese has been a fixture on the Skychannel service from NSW northern tracks for 23 years. He was appointed and tutored by Graham McNeice who remains his greatest supporter. Gary begins by sharing his sadness about the recent flooding which has seriously impacted his hometown of Ballina. He remembers the fateful phone call to Graham McNeice which resulted in a career after race riding.  He talks of the many tracks to which he travels to present Sky’s race day service, and the time he spends on form analysis between race meetings. Gary’s travel schedule is punishing. He usually returns home to Ballina when his Sky commitments are completed. He pays tribute to the participants who are happy to join him on air to discuss the prospects of their horses. He pays a special tribute to regular co-host Priscilla Looker. Gary also acknowledges the contribution of Melinda Graham who filled in during Priscilla’s absence on maternity leave. Back to his riding days, and Gary talks of his apprenticeship to the lat