John Tapp Racing

When Harry Troy sang the praises of Dennis Firth in a podcast last year, I made it my business to track down the former 16 time western districts premiership winner. Dennis is now 72 years of age, and still residing in his much loved hometown of Coonamble. He’s the kind of bloke who’s not comfortable talking about his own achievements but after a little coaxing he hit top gear. Den humbly acknowledges the fact that he rode 1499 winners in an era when racing was held only once a week in the bush. He’s adamant that a training career was never in the mix. Dennis says his retirement wasn’t planned. It materialised following a race fall. The former outstanding jockey talks about a family history in Coonamble dating back to the late 19th century. He talks of his father George who was an in demand farrier in the district. Dennis looks back on the days when he would sneak onto the local racecourse early mornings with his trusty pony, and match strides with the thoroughbreds for a short distance. This was the catalyst