John Tapp Racing

I’m delighted to welcome Danielle Seib as the subject of our 400th episode since the website was launched in May of 2018. This interview was recorded before Danielle won her first race for new clients Champion Thoroughbreds at Wagga on Dec 23rd. The horse in question was Smokeshow who put a Class 3 field away in impressive fashion. Danielle begins by talking about a brief stint as a Science teacher before going full time as a trainer. She pays tribute to Assault’n’Bathory, the horse who kick started her training career. Danielle explains the unusual circumstances under which the gelding was purchased. The trainer looks back on two TAB Highway wins with the slow maturing Assault’n’Bathory. She also gives Tudor Prince an honourable mention. Danielle talks of a bargain basement buy from the popular Inglis Digital Online Auction. She pays tribute to her partner Aaron, a member of a legendary harness racing family. Aaron also happens to be an outstanding farrier. Danielle talks of her long time love of riding trac

Allan Denham’s intention to quit the training ranks was known only to family and a handful of close friends. Fittingly he went out on a winning note when Adios Steve won a BM 64 at Hawkesbury on June 30th 2022. The former champion apprentice jockey and distinguished trainer certainly isn’t looking for accolades, but I can’t possibly let him retire without presenting the tribute he so richly deserves. This week we replay a podcast recorded with Allan in 2019, in which he says the rumour mill had him pensioned off as far back as 2012. He talks of his daily commute from Wyong to Rosehill for several years before the passing of his father Jack Denham. Allan looks back on a decade of training from a Wyong base.  He takes us back to the days when his father trained with great success at Canterbury. Allan talks of Jack’s training technique. He pays tribute to the top horse Ricochet, arguably the best horse Jack trained from his Canterbury stables. Allan recalls Jack’s move to Rosehill and the beginning of his short

Many people in racing are curious about the roles of modern day jockey agents. To do the job properly, busy managers have to be on call 24/7. One unanswered phone call could mean the loss of a big race opportunity. Mathew Alesci has managed only 8 jockeys in 14 years, including multiple Gr 1 winner Ben Melham. He’s currently regenerating his career after a year off. During that hiatus he spent time with his father Charlie who’s dealing with health issues. Mathew talks of Charlie Alesci’s emigration from Sicily in 1969 and a long career as a bricklayer in his adopted country. During his time off, Mathew was lucky enough to be given a spot as a contestant on the high rating Nine Network programme “Millionaire Hot Seat”. He talks about an exciting experience. Mathew talks about the inspiration he gained when brother Fabian started to ride in races. He was always there to cheer him on. His jockey management skills were evident early. He was chasing rides for his brother at age 10. Mathew reviews Fabian’s riding c

If there’s a single positive about Nick Heywood’s current injury layoff, it’s the fact that we were able to pin him down for an interview. He talks about the inevitability of accidents and the fact that jockeys have to come to terms with it.   Nick talks about the vagaries of racing luck and his early winning double on the day of his Wagga race fall.   He looks back on the unusual nature of the fall that left him with a fracture to the tibia. Nick looks back on two good seasons, and his resolve not to waste an opportunity. He takes us through the pristine eating measures he has to endure to stay in the saddle. The jockey talks about his marathon runs around the streets of Wagga, and his heavy trackwork schedule. Nick gives us one prime example of the mileage he travels to bolster race day opportunities. Heywood talks of his initial apprenticeship to Peter Clancy at Leeton and a transfer to the Wagga stables of his father Chris Heywood. He looks back on the thrill of his first winning ride at Deniliquin, on a

Sky Racing presenters do a great job in trying to identify winners for the army of punters who subscribe to the service around Australia. One of them is affable Glenn Munsie who is a regular on Sky Thoroughbred Central programmes like News Central and Formline. His up to the minute race day market moves are greatly appreciated by punters. We begin by talking to Glenn about his early life as the son of respected jockey Norm Munsie. He talks of his late father’s association with Sir Frank Packer whose horses were trained by Norm’s master Bill Childs at Moorefield. Glenn recalls his dad’s decision to base himself at Canterbury after completing his apprenticeship. Norm’s association with the smaller trainers became one of racing’s most endearing stories. The Sky Racing presenter remembers some of the battling Canterbury trainers who relied heavily on Norm’s assessment of their horses. He talks about a couple of successful betting plunges on horses which had been readied by the talented Norm Munsie- one of them wa

It was around 2008 when Grant Williams started to tinker with the odd thoroughbred. Prior to that he’d enjoyed a distinguished 20 year career in harness racing as a trainer and driver. His association with leviathan owner/breeder Bob Peters began in 2012. When that partnership terminated early this year, they’d shared success in 15 Gr 1’s and countless stakes races. Grant begins by talking about the end of his association with the huge Bob Peters operation. When Bob first offered Grant some horses to train, he thought someone was having a joke with him. Grant explains that he had other loyal owners to consider at the time of the surprise offer. He says that his principal owner had a major contribution to the programming of his horses. Grant pays tribute to his remarkable wife Alana, who as Alana Sansom attained dizzy heights as a jockey in WA. He says Alana continues to ride much of the stable trackwork, and insists on having input where quirky horses are concerned. Grant talks of the communication between he

We’re delighted to present a podcast with a young Welshman who took NSW racing by the seat of its pants last season and turned it upside down. Ashley Morgan arrived in a strange country unheralded and unsung in 2018 and with the help of a prominent Scone trainer began to ply his trade. Last season he was crowned NSW champion jockey. We begin by talking to Ashley about his quick return to the UK recently for the christening of his young daughter. The Welsh born jockey talks of the trackwork he rode while overseas to ensure his weight remained in check. He was thrilled to be given a few race rides in England and the USA. Ashley takes us back to childhood days in Wales and his early riding experience on his grandfather’s hunters and point to point horses. He talks of work experience in Somerset and his apprenticeship to Mark Tompkins at Newmarket. He later transferred to Ed Dunlop, a trainer well known in Australia. After riding around 70 winners he lost his focus on race riding and sought employment in London.

We catch up with the founder and CEO of the respected racehorse syndication company Proven Thoroughbreds. This interview was recorded before Private Eye’s unplaced effort in the Champions Mile. Jamie Walter recalls the heart stopping moments when Private Eye hit the front a few strides from home in The Everest. He relives the excitement of the occasion. Jamie pays tribute to a very special horse and to Joe Pride, the trainer who has taken Private Eye to ten wins and $6 million. Jamie Walter talks about his childhood at Mudgee and an early association with horses. He talks of his fascination with radio and early announcing jobs on western districts stations. Jamie remembers a surprise offer from 2UW, at the time a very popular Sydney station. He talks of an overseas adventure which saw him work in racing stables in the USA and England. There were a few unlikely jobs in between. On returning to Sydney he assisted brother Guy who’d set up shop at Warwick Farm. At the same time Jamie picked up freelance work as a

Who better to join us at Melbourne Cup time than former jockey Larry Olsen who joined the chosen few when he won the 1987 Cup on Kensei.  A couple of years earlier Larry was dairy farming at Kyogle and his weight had soared to 80kgs. The popular jockey’s spectacular comeback made headlines around the world. He looks back on a life changing win. Larry remembers how his association with Kensei began. He takes us through the races leading up to the Cup triumph including a win in the Grafton Cup- one of the jockey’s favourite races. He relives the dream run that helped Kensei to snatch victory from a Cummings duo. Larry recalls that Kensei never won another race.  He talks of his bittersweet memories of the day. Stewards grilled him over another ride on the programme which landed him in the worst kind of trouble. Larry takes us back to the days of his apprenticeship to Mal Barnes in Queensland. He explains that his very first race ride was in Sydney. In 1972 a horse called Triton came into his life at a time when

After 24 years in the employ of other trainers, Brad Widdup was coaxed into training in his own right as recently as 2017. Two years later he endured a setback that would have discouraged most horsemen in the same position. This man’s recovery has been spectacular. We begin by getting Brad’s reaction to his best season ever in 2021/2022. He talks of a flying start in the new season. Brad says his recent success has brought increased support to his Hawksbury operation. This interview was recorded before Saturday’s Randwick meeting when stable star Icebath was unplaced in The Invitation after a hopeless start. Brad takes us through his remarkable journey with the classy mare. Brad takes us back to early days in Albury when his father Pat was his greatest inspiration. Brad says his dad, who is still training a small team, is an outstanding all round horseman. He recalls his introduction to Sydney racing when he gained a start with Warwick Farm trainer Rod Craig. He then talks about a succession of jobs with some

Punters and racing fans who follow southern districts racing are familiar with the name of Nick Souquet. The veteran jockey has been a fixture down south for all of his thirty years in the saddle.  I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Nick Souquet  which was all the more reason to get him on the podcast for a chat about his successful career. Nick says he’s never met another person in Australia who goes by his surname. He talks of his home base at Wodonga which enables him to ride in two states. Nick says he’s able to control his weight when riding regular trackwork. The veteran jockey speaks glowingly of the talents of Al bury trainer Mitchell Beer. He talks of recent winning rides at prominent Victorian tracks. Nick pays tribute to his wife Laura and three children whose ages range from 5 to 15. He acknowledges his wife’s riding career which finished after a nasty race fall. The jockey looks back on childhood days growing up on the well known Coppabella Pastoral property near Tumbarumba. He reflects on a c

Punters and racing fans are familiar with the maroon, yellow and white silks of Mystery Downs, a company managed by Frank and Christine  Cook. The Cooks share in the ownership of enough horses around Australia to warrant the services of twenty five trainers. Frank took over full time management of Mystery Downs after selling his chain of nursing homes in 2014. In previous years he’d been the state and federal President/Chairman of the Australian Nursing Home Association. He begins by talking about his part ownership in Everest contender Lost And Running. Frank takes us back to childhood days in the Sydney suburb of Dundas where he and family would crowd around the radio to listen to the broadcast of trotting events. They devised a unique method of wagering. He talks of his interest in harness racing and his regular attendance at the iconic Harold Park track. Frank looks back on his job with the Department of Labour and National Service. He then had a stint with the Health Dept before receiving an offer to joi

With the Melbourne Cup only a month away the familiar trivia questions are starting to pop up in the pubs and clubs. One popular question is the one about the oldest person still living who has trained a Melbourne Cup winner. The answer of course is Mick Robins who won it twice with the great stayer Rain Lover in 1968 and 69. I’ve actually had a couple of recent emails requesting a podcast with the veteran trainer. The fact is I recorded an interview with Mick two and a half years ago, and he was a delight to talk to. Tell you what, why don’t we run it again at this special time of year. He begins by talking about his stint as an apprentice butcher in war time Broken Hill. Mick looks back on his days below the surface of the earth helping to mine the silver, zinc and lead that would bring great prosperity to Broken Hill. He talks of his early attraction to horses and a brief career as an amateur jockey. Mick remembers gaining his first trainer’s licence and a horse called Sir Haydon who got him up and running

Nineteen years have passed since Stan Aitken called time on his successful riding career. The multiple Gr 1 winning jockey continued to work in the racing industry as a groundsman for the Ballarat Race Club until his retirement a few years ago. Stan clearly recalls his final ride in the Ararat Gold Cup of 2003. He talks of his decision to quit when opportunities dried up. He looks back on his working years at the Ballarat racecourse. Stan reflects on his childhood in the idyllic Tasmanian town of Penguin, and his earliest connection with horses. He remembers his move to Victoria and an apprenticeship to local trainer Jack Whitelaw where he learned about life in a racing stable. After twelve months he transferred to Norm Creighton at Caulfield. His first race ride was on a horse destined for fame as a hurdler. Stan looks back on the thrill of riding his first winner at Yarra Glen. His first city win was even more exciting. He made it a double on the day for good measure. He explains yet another stable switch w

Mark Newnham’s career story is one of a young bloke who held on to his dream like a dog with an old boot. From the first day his father took him to the races, young Newnham knew he wanted a future with horses. He says his passion has never waned. Mark talks of the difficulties of running a dual operation at Randwick and Warwick Farm. He was relieved when more boxes became available at headquarters.  He reflects on his training statistics over the last two seasons. Mark elaborates on the little known fact that his maternal grandfather Bert Condon was a successful jockey as far back as the 1920’s and 30’s. He remembers with affection the many times he tagged along when his father, newspaper executive John Newnham was a regular at Sydney race meetings. Mark recalls work experience with Bob Thomsen, a dream job as travelling foreman for Bart Cummings and an overseas stint when he rode work for some legendary horsemen. He looks back on his first apprenticeship to Graeme Begg and a transfer to Ron Quinton. He remem

Racing historian Dennis Najim recently sent me audio recordings of some of Galilee’s memorable wins in Melbourne in the  mid 1960’s. The NZ bred stayer dominated the Victorian Spring carnival of 1966 winning the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in dominant fashion. The following autumn Galilee trounced his opposition in the Sydney Cup becoming the first horse to win the big treble in the same season- a distinction he still holds. The pigeon toed gelding with the suspect action was once described by jockey John Miller as an “express train”. This tribute features race calls by legendary commentators Bill Collins, Bert Bryant and Ken Howard. Thanks to Dennis Najim and Supernova Sound we’re delighted to present a tribute to one of the best horses of his generation.

After a wonderfully successful decade training from his Murwillumbah base, Matt Dunn surprised a few people when he elected to open a metropolitan stable. The first negative was his ineligibility for the weekly TAB Highways which he’d dominated since their inception in 2015. Matt talks about the numbers in his Rosehill and Murwillumbah stables. He acknowledges the contribution of Holly Julius who runs the northern operation. Matt talks of his frequent visits to the northern rivers. The trainer talks of the easy access to many racetracks from the Murwillumbah stables. He lauds the vastly improved country prize money levels. Matt trained under Gerald Ryan’s name for the first two years at Murwillumbah. He explains how the concept came about. He admits he was sad to have to forfeit the right to run in the TAB Highways. The talented trainer talks about a successful run enjoyed by the operation through the month of August. Matt reflects on his childhood fascination with horses. He learned to ride at a Frenchs Fore

I caught up with John Wade at the recent Jockeys Reunion and the idea of a podcast immediately sprang to mind. He’s not the kind of bloke to talk about his many achievements in the saddle, but happily I was able to pin him down. John is now in his early 70’s, lives on the Gold Coast and works full time for a Pathology Company.  He tells us more about the job and the enormous number of miles he travels every week. John talks of early days at Newcastle following in the footsteps of his late father Bill, who dominated the Newcastle and Hunter riding ranks for many years. Bill won 13 Newcastle premierships. He recalls one thrilling Newcastle premiership which went right down to the wire. John recalls the Gunnedah barrier trial accident which terminated Bill’s career. He talks of the unorthodox way in which he learned to ride, and his subsequent indentureship to a legendary Newcastle trainer. John looks back on the predictable early career highlights- first race ride, first winner and first metropolitan winner. He

Enjoy nothing more than heading “bush” for our podcast chats. This week we go to Big River Country to catch up with Grafton trainer Dwayne Schmidt who operates a twenty horse operation from Grafton. After a successful training stint in Queensland, Dwayne headed back to NSW when the track problems at Eagle Farm persisted. He admits he was sorry to leave Brisbane. Dwayne says he strongly considered Ballina as a training base before settling on Grafton. He has some nice things to say about the promising Alf’s Magic. Durnstein produced a stunning maiden win at Grafton during the July carnival. Dwayne talks about the potential of this promising son of Exosphere. Dwayne takes us back to his riding career which began with an apprenticeship to Leslie Picken when Canterbury was still a training base. He still finds it hard to believe he actually rode his first winner on the hallowed turf of Royal Randwick. Dwayne remembers a two horse track gallop at Canterbury which gave him almost as much satisfaction as a race win.

Had Greg Radley not tried his hand as a radio presenter in Brisbane and Sydney he may still be calling races in the Hunter Valley where it all began thirty five years ago. His curiosity about other avenues of sports media saw him develop a special talent as a presenter and interviewer. Today he’s the polished professional who hosts several key Sky Thoroughbred Central programmes. We talk to Greg about his fascinating journey to the top of his profession.  He describes his enduring love for his hometown of Newcastle. Greg pays tribute to his father Terry, a former top sportswriter for the Newcastle Herald and other publications. He talks of Terry’s passion for harness racing and those fun filled nights at the old Newcastle Showground track.  He speaks fondly of mother Ann, brothers Michael and Tony and his only sister Clare. Greg acknowledges the tremendous support he got from the late John McDermott in the early years.  “Macca” became his tutor and close friend. He tells a great story about the night the broa