John Tapp Racing

Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Gary Kliese recently suggested I organise a chat with Grafton based jockey Matt McGuren.  Gary was full of praise for McGuren’s talents and assured me that the jockey’s life story was great podcast material. Matt was more than happy to participate even though he was feeling pretty frustrated by the outcome of what appeared to be an insignificant accident a few days earlier. He looks back on his barrier trial mishap at Ballina. He says he decided to ride at the Grafton meeting the following day even though he suspected a fracture in the ankle. A winning ride helped ease the pain. Matt talks of his prognosis, and his inability to ride trackwork for his wife Samantha who trains a thirteen horse team at Grafton. He talks of Samantha’s accident with a camp drafter three months ago and her resultant surgery. The thirty two year old explains how he and Samantha manage to handle a team of racehorses every morning and cater for the needs of two young daughters. They’ve got it down to a fine