John Tapp Racing

This is an interesting chat with a 43 year old from Foxton on New Zealand’s north island who’s been around thoroughbreds all his life. He started life as an apprentice jockey under the tutelage of Kevin Gray, a man who could be likened to the late Theo Green as a master tutor of apprentices. Paul begins by talking about his good fortune in securing boxes at Port Macquarie racecourse where his solo training career began eighteen months ago. He talks of his current team and the availability of beach facilities at the popular north coast location. Paul says nowhere is too far to travel if the right horse comes along. The former jockey is counting the minutes to the arrival of the twin sons he and partner Michelle are expecting.  He looks back on the barrier trial he contested as a thirteen year old in NZ. Paul has always thanked his lucky stars that he gained a start with the legendary horseman Kevin Gray. he remembers Gray’s private training property at Patea near Waverley in the Taranaki district. He talks of