John Tapp Racing

Chad Lever’s sudden disappearance from the riding ranks last September mystified trainers, punters and friends. The popular jockey had been juggling a huge workload for several years to honour commitments on the provincial and country circuit. Ten months ago he knew he’d have to take a break before his health suffered. Chad explains that he’s been able to control his weight by riding trackwork and competing in barrier trials for his wife Claire. He explains that the constant travelling and wasting had worn him down. Chad talks of his wife’s riding career under the name of Claire Nutman and the training career she always envisaged. He looks back on their New York wedding. He acknowledges Claire’s good start as a professional trainer. Chad takes us back to his early days in Port Augusta and the valuable tuition he received from his late grandfather Fred Brodie. He remembers being regaled by Fred’s tales of the turf. He looks back on his move to Adelaide and an apprenticeship to top trainer Leon Macdonald. He wa