John Tapp Racing

Craig Rixon was one of those jockeys who flew under the radar for most of his twenty year career. He concentrated largely on provincial and country tracks, but lacked nothing against the top riders whenever he came to town. He quit the saddle in 2006 and immediately joined the ranks of jockey agents. He took to his new career with ease. Craig talks about some of the jockeys he’s managed in recent years.  He makes special mention of talented apprentice Anna Roper who was making headlines before she suffered a complicated knee injury last November. Craig speaks highly of Donovan Yeo, a former South African jockey who’s getting close to making his Australian debut.  He says he was very small when he began his apprenticeship with Kevin Wallis at Hawkesbury. Craig had more than the required number of barrier trial rides before applying for his ticket to ride in races. He was shattered when he got a refusal at the first attempt. He looks back on his first race ride at Newcastle. Craig talks of the ten year old boy