John Tapp Racing

Jim Cassidy was just 18 years old when he first made his mark in Australian racing with a Brisbane Cup win on Four Crowns. He was back eighteen months later to win the Melbourne Cup with a barnstorming run on Kiwi. Some say the gelding produced the fastest finish in Cup history. In 1984 he was offered a plumb job in Sydney and so began an adventure destined to take the Wellington born jockey to 104 Gr 1 wins. In between times there were some thrilling highs and some gut wrenching lows. In this lengthy chat Jim talks with customary candour about his life in racing- from his first win at Wairoa in 1978 to his swansong on Victorian Oaks day 2015. He begins by explaining the origins of his legendary nickname “The Pumper”. The former jockey says the nickname came from his unique style in the saddle. Jim looks back on the publication of his widely read 2016 autobiography “The Pumper”. He goes back to the closing weeks of his riding career. A winner at his last Sydney ride, and his final Melbourne Cup carnival. Jim agrees the Victorian Oaks was numerically his most significant Gr 1 race. He looks back on his rides over the first three days of that Melbourne Cup carnival. Jim takes us back to childhood days in Wellington when his ambition to be an All Black far outweighed any riding aspirations. He reminisces about an uninspiring education. The legendary jockey takes us back to work experience with two trainers and finally an apprenticeship with Patrick Campbell. He says he thought his first winner would never come. Once it happened there was no stopping the little dynamo. Jim reminisces about his wins in the 1981 O’Shea Stakes and Brisbane Cup on Four Crowns after which he tells the riveting Kiwi story. He’s never forgotten the phone call from Bob Lapointe and the offer to be a part of a powerful Sydney conglomerate. At first he thought the phone call was a ruse. Jim remembers the early days of his new job and the arrival of an English horse destined for a brief but brilliant campaign in Sydney. The great jockey experienced several low points including the horror of a home invasion which came as a massive fright for himself and wife Helen. In typical fashion he turned up at the races and rode multiple winners. He looks back on his all time most satisfying day at the races- six winners at a Rosehill Saturday meeting in 1987. Jim looks back on a low key midweek meeting and a horse called Cruising. His ride incurred the wrath of the stewards who hit him with a 12 month ban. He says nobody would have been seen to advantage on the horse in question. He’s very proud of his three win record in the AJC Australian Derby. He takes us through his trio of victories in the historic race. Cassidy still rues the fact that he never won a Melbourne Cup for Bart Cummings. It still pains him that he could have ridden Kingston Rule in 1990, but stuck solid to another stable. He talks of his association with another Cummings top liner, the ill fated Shaftesbury Avenue. Jim pays tribute to Malcolm Ayoub an old fashioned masseur who got him through many aches and pains. “The Boss” also became his greatest friend and inspiration. A fitting tribute is on the agenda for the Kiwi wonder horse Rough Habit, one of Jim’s all time favourites. The former legendary jockey is happy to take us through the infamous “Jockey Tape” scandal. The story broke on the day he was to ride Flying Spur in the Golden Slipper. It cost him a win in the great two year old race and resulted in a five year disqualification later reduced to three. He was back in 21 months with a resolve that had never been stronger. The best of Jim Cassidy was yet to come. On resuming he needed a top horse to regenerate his career. He found Might And Power and his comeback was complete. Six years after being robbed of Slipper victory on Flying Spur, he finally won the great race on Gai’s filly Ha Ha. Jim was pretty chuffed to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Zoustar, now a...

I’m delighted to introduce a man I’ve known for six decades. Max Presnell had just returned from England to regenerate his career with Fairfax newspapers, as I kicked off with Sydney station 2GB. Max recently called time on an association with Fairfax which embraced a total of 67 years- perhaps a world record in the newspaper game. I don’t know how we can cover 67 years in an hour or so, but let’s give it a crack. Max explains the reasons for his recent departure from the Sydney Morning Herald. He talks about the evolvement of his popular 2017 autobiography “Good Losers Die Broke”- a rollicking review of his life in racing. Max, son of a publican talks about the unusual experience of spending his early years in a famous Sydney Hotel. He tells a funny story about a lady who happened to be the sister of Stanley Wootton, owner of the hotel in question. Max talks of many well known visiting trainers who stayed at the pub when in Sydney. I’ll let Max tell you about a chirpy little regular who earned the dubious nickname of “two bob Tommy”. The legendary writer talks of his father Roy who ran the pub for 25 years. Max talks of the white cockatoo Roy brought back from a duck shooting excursion. That cocky became a legend in his own right. He talks of his feelings whenever he walks into the Doncaster Hotel today. Max takes us back to his employment as a copy boy with the old Sydney Sun. He remembers his cadetship and the thrill of becoming a graded journalist in 1961. He talks of his lifelong penchant for a punt and recalls a massive win on the Doncaster-Sydney Cup double in 1961. Max was on steward’s room duties the day Mel Schumacher was outed for life after the infamous “leg pull incident in the AJC Derby. His memories of the steward’s inquiry remain vivid. He looks back on a sabbatical from the Sun and a long sea voyage to England where he freelanced for three years. Things got so bad at one stage that he had to “hock” his binoculars. The veteran racing scribe talks of several freelance jobs he was able to secure in England. He reminisces about a proposed plunge on a horse in the Ascot Gold Cup. The horse in question was a noted mudlark. Max was delighted when rain continued to fall but was in for a rude shock. For the first time in twenty five years, the Gold Cup meeting was called off. You won’t believe what happened to his punting bank. Max looks back on his return to Sydney in 1964 and the start of phase two of his amazing association with Fairfax. He talks of his admiration for the works of Banjo Paterson. Max remembers his very successful transition into radio and television. A disagreement with Channel 7 Sports Director Rex Mossop saw him stand down from the popular “Punter’s Post Mortem” programme. Some time later he returned to Channel 7 in a different format. He pays tribute to some of the great journalists with whom he got to work over a long period of years. Max acknowledges some of the great horse trainers of his era with special mention of Jack Denham. He fondly remembers the days when many racecourse figures carried curious nicknames. Max was unable to recall the name of his new website, but hopes his old fans will visit from time to time. It’s my great pleasure to pay tribute to a true giant of racing journalism.

It’s a pleasure to welcome Terry Evans to the podcast- the trainer who happens to be the sole occupant of on course stabling at the Tuncurry-Forster racecourse on the NSW north coast. Terry was there when the new track was granted a licence by Racing NSW in 2009. This podcast was recorded two days before Sir Ravanelli scored an impressive win on a rain sodden Newcastle track. Terry rates the grey gelding as the best horse he’s trained to date. He begins by reflecting on the enthusiasm and commitment of the new Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club when he arrived fifteen years ago. Terry pays tribute to the Jockey Club’s dedicated President Gary McQuillan. He remembers a conversation with a friend at a Port Macquarie meeting in 2009. At that time he was unaware a new track was under construction at nearby Tuncurry-Forster. Terry talks about the purchase of the racecourse a few years ago by Racing NSW. The trainer talks about the facilities available to him. He explains the benefits of his 20 acre property at nearby Rainbow Flat. Terry and wife Julie had a frightening experience a few years ago when the property was threatened by the raging NSW north coast bushfires. He says the fires also got dangerously close to the racecourse stables. He was in total disbelief just twelve months later when floodwaters looked likely to inundate the stables. Terry expresses his appreciation of the talents and work ethic of Gonzalo Aguila, an Argentinian horseman who walked into the stables looking for a job. He looks back on early days in Balmain when he realised a dream by landing a sand boy’s role with the famous Balmain Tiger’s RL team. Terry pays tribute to two former Balmain legends who were his inspiration at the time. He reflects on his playing days in the Balmain Juniors and his transition to the Under 23 ranks. Memories of his very first game at the higher level remain vivid for all the wrong reasons. Terry reminisces about his entry into the thoroughbred world at a Southern Highlands stud farm. This is where he gained valuable experience working with mares and foals. A regular visitor to the property was a young lady who worked for the Horse Power Feed Company. Julie was destined to become his wife. He looks back on a move to Julie’s horse property at Dural and his appointment as a yearling handler at nearby Shillington Park. In the early 1990’s Terry and Julie established their own spelling and pre-training business near Wyong. They were delighted when the business grew rapidly but in the end it became too much for them. He says this was the catalyst for his transition to horse training. He talks of a low key start at Gosford, and the help he received from the resident CEO. Terry looks back on the magical occasion of his first training win. He reminisces about a win with Verrekeen at Gosford in 2009. It was the very last race called by the retiring Ian Craig. It was a costly exercise for winning jockey Hugh Bowman. Terry acknowledges other horses who’ve helped him along the way. This podcast was taped a couple of days before Sir Ravanelli’s impressive win at Newcastle on May 11th. Terry recalls his acquisition of the gelding on the recommendation of a NZ bloodstock agent. He talks of the care and attention necessary to keep on top of the horse’s foot problems. The trainer looks back on Sir Ravanelli’s achievements so far. He talks of the grey’s ownership group, one of whom is ace race photographer Steve Hart. He talks of the current progress of his old football team and the emotional attachment that persists to this day. Terry talks of Julie’s return to the nursing profession and son Troy’s love of a punt. It’s a laid back chat with yet another member of that exclusive club known as the “Balmain Boys”.

This is a long overdue chat with one of the most respected riders in the Australian amateur ranks. When not competing at faraway picnic meetings, Ricky Blewitt can be found riding trackwork at Narromine before starting his full time job as the Narromine Turf Club’s track manager. The busy horseman speaks highly of the first class country racecourse. Ricky confirms that he rides eight or more horses in trackwork most mornings for his partner Kylie Kennedy. He says Kylie competes mainly at professional meetings but occasionally takes a horse to the picnics. The top horseman speaks highly of Kylie’s father, former jockey and successful trainer Wayne Collison. Ricky says he has no problem with the 62 kg minimum weight at the picnic meetings. The jockey declares his love for the business and his willingness to drive long distances to race meetings. He talks of early days in Queanbeyan and makes the surprise admission that he had a fear of horses in childhood days. Ricky recalls his friendship with a local apprentice who went on to Gr 1 success as a jockey. He looks back on a deal he made with his parents regarding schooling, and his first job with local trainer Amanda Langlar. Rick looks back on his transfer to respected trainer Arch Turner and the nasty trackwork fall that dimmed his enthusiasm for a while. He talks of his debut as an amateur rider and the thrill of a win at just his second ride. Ricky says he has no idea of the number of premierships he’s won largely because of inadequate records. He talks of his wonderful run in Picnic Cups all over the state. He looks back on the first of his three Bong Bong Cup successes. He got a huge thrill to win his second Bong Bong Cup in the colours made famous by champions like Saintly and So You Think. Ricky’s third win at Bong Bong gave him the biggest kick of all. He was chuffed to ride a horse called Frenzied for the Waterhouse/Bott combination. Both trainers were there on the day. The jockey says the Bong Bong Cup meeting is very different to days gone by. He talks of the famous Golden Triangle picnic circuit in the state’s north west- three meetings in two weeks which all attract huge crowds. Rick pays tribute to Moree trainer Peter Sinclair who’s given him great support over many years. He says the Sinclair trained Track Flash is almost certainly the best picnic galloper he’s ridden. Ricky has no doubt the Picnic Cups are almost TAB standard races these days. He says the influence of Racing NSW has resulted in better maintained picnic race tracks. He reviews some of the many picnic tracks he’s patronised over the year, with special mention of the popular Bedgerabong course. Ricky says he’s been relatively lucky regarding injuries throughout his career but has unhappy memories of one three horse crash at Tomingley in 2019. He and Mick Gray sustained multiple injuries, while Michael Hackett had to call time on a successful career. He pays tribute to two great picnic jockeys who helped shape his career. Rick has had many memorable days of race riding. He recalls a couple of red letter days at Booroowa and Tottenham. I’ve had several requests to present a podcast with Ricky Blewitt. It was a delight to catch up with a true gentleman of the amateur riding ranks.

Five years ago Scott Singleton found that he was spending much more time on the road to country race meetings than he was at city and provincial meetings. He made the snap decision to put his hand up when boxes became available at Scone. Nowadays he has easy access to any number of country meetings, and an easy run to Sydney when the right horse comes along. Scott says relocating an entire training operation from Hawkesbury was pretty taxing. He admits there was an emotional downside to leaving his much loved Hawkesbury Valley. Scott says he explored options in Victoria before settling on Scone. He says he and wife Lucy were lucky to stumble upon an ideal property on the outskirts of Scone. Scott explains that most of his team are on course, but says some horses are happier on the property. He says a good camaraderie exists between Scone trainers. The experienced horseman takes us back to childhood days when his maternal grandfather got him interested in thoroughbreds. He recalls his transition to Hawkesbury trackwork and the former bush jockey who tutored him in the skills of riding racehorses. Scott says he dreamed of becoming a jockey but his build and weight eliminated that possibility. Encouraged by his grandfather Scott opted to do the next best thing and apply for an amateur licence. He looks back on a brief stint at the picnics and the two winners he can now dine out on. Scott says his brother Dean was also an active picnic rider. Dean kept going for some time after Scott’s retirement. He pays a heartfelt tribute to his English born wife Lucy, daughter of a Wiltshire jumps trainer and an outstanding rider in her own right. The trainer talks of Lucy’s current role in the operation. He talks of son and daughter Jack and Zoe and the things that interest the pair. Scott talks of his magical first win with Reginald at Bathurst in 2006. He talks with mixed feelings about the talented but quirky Shazee Lee who caused him many a headache during her racing career. Scott acknowledges the talents of a few handy horses who’ve helped to get him on the road. He looks back on a unique two state double in 2013. Scott remembers the brilliant but single minded Partners who never learned to conserve his energy. He was a horse without brakes. He talks about a handful of handy horses likely to win some races in the near future. Scott speaks highly of stable apprentice Mitch Stapleford, grandson of recently retired training maestro Albert Stapleford. The trainer pays tribute to two valued work riders. One of them recently quit the race riding ranks, the other continues to be a very capable jockey. Scott says he still helps out with trackwork. He acknowledges the talents of one of his “go-to” jockeys Mikayla Weir. It’s a laid back chat with a top horseman who wishes he’d made the move to the Hunter Valley long before he did.

I’ve had a number of verbal and email requests to provide a podcast with a former top Queensland jockey who enjoyed a distinguished career despite a torturous battle with weight. Unable to continue with the ravages of the sweat box, Shane Scriven quit the saddle in 2012 to pursue a brand new career with Racing Queensland. Today he’s firmly established as a counsellor and mentor for young jockeys coming through the system. Guess what! We posted a podcast with Shane almost four years ago. In view of the fact that nothing has changed in his life, we’re going to give the interview another run this week. He begins by talking about the days when he had to take short breaks from riding in order to save his sanity. Shane looks back on his childhood involvement with horses. His sister loved the more elegant riding disciplines. Her brother wanted to go as fast as possible. He says the first trainer with whom he sought an apprenticeship wasn’t interested. He eventually got a start with Eagle Farm trainer Tom Dawson. The former ace jockey reflects on the thrill of his first win. He rode a winning double in fact, and one of his mounts was a quarter horse. Shane rode his first Gr 1 winner in Sydney. The filly Tingo Tango was trained by Doug Bougoure who was destined to become his father-in-law. The former jockey pays tribute to talented galloper Prince Salieri who gave him two Gr 1 wins. He talks about a fleeting association with the outstanding racehorse Rough Habit- one ride for one win in the P.J O’Shea Stakes. He recalls every step of the race. Shane has high regard for Scenic Shot, the last topliner he got to ride. He won two Doomben Cups and an LKS McKinnon Stakes on the West Aussie. He pays tribute to favourites like Opressor, Buck’s Pride, Burdekin Blues and Consular. It still pains him, but he’s happy to talk about the “one that got away”- his desperately unlucky defeat on champion Octagonal in the 1995 Victoria Derby. Shane talks about the Ipswich “brain fade” that put him on the sidelines for a lengthy period. There’s a funny side to this disaster. He’s justifiably proud of a Brisbane jockey’s premiership in the 2008/2009 season when he had nowhere near as many rides as some of his lighter rivals. Shane closes with special mention of daughter Halle. It’s a laid back chat with a former jockey whose career would have reached dizzy heights had he been a few kgs lighter.

The Karen Owen story had potential podcast written all over it from the moment I interviewed her after a recent Randwick win with Fay’s Angels. A horse devotee from an early age, Karen was a whiz at pony club before transitioning to the eventing sport. She dreamed of a job around horses, and jumped to attention when an opportunity came up with the NSW Mounted Police. Thirty three years later she left the force with the rank of Sergeant, and immediately embarked on a racehorse training career. Karen says she rarely has more than ten horses in work on the Killawarra property. She explains that most of her horses have been bred by clients. Karen says she’s too busy to pursue her first equestrian love of eventing, but still has a presence in the dressage arena. The trainer says she likes to keep her horses as close to nature as possible. The property offers several options. Karen says the horses are floated to the nearby Taree racecourse when a serious gallop is required. She pays tribute to veterinarian husband Adrian who had to build up a new practice from scratch when the family moved to Wingham. Karen talks of daughter Maddy who was literally born to the saddle, and wanted to become a jockey from the moment she started riding trackwork. The talented horsewoman looks back on early days in Sydney’s western suburbs and her very first pony- a gift from parents who knew nothing about horses. Karen talks of her first year as a Probationary Constable with the NSW Police. She was restricted to general duties for the first year of her new career. Most of her work was located in Sydney’s King’s Cross. She looks back on her long awaited introduction to the Mounted Police Headquarters in Redfern. She’s never forgotten the immaculate condition of the stables and gear. Karen says she was one of only three females in the mounted unit. It’s a very different story today. The former Sergeant Owen takes us through her many and varied duties with the “Mounties” including a very intimidating situation during the Cronulla race riots of 2005. She makes no secret of the fact that race day duty at nearby Randwick was easily her favourite working commitment. She says the buzz of the track whetted her appetite for racing. Karen looks back on a few notable former racehorses who found their way into the Mounted Police Unit. She talks of her first meeting with Veterinarian Adrian Owen whose duties included regular visits to the Mounted Police stables at Redfern. Karen looks back on Adrian’s stint as a hobby trainer in the late 1990’s. She got the job as chief work rider before going off to work. Eventing was still very much a part of her life. She looks back on a trip to NZ for a Trans Tasman Challenge. Adrian came along as babysitter for first born Damian. Karen affectionately recalls a dream trip to England in 2012 when she got to ride before Queen Elizabeth. She recalls a conversation with Her Majesty and a humorous comment from the Duke Of Edinburgh. She’s never forgotten the moment she saw the Queen in the saddle at 86 years of age. Karen looks back on the thrill of receiving the Australian Police Medal, and her promotion to the rank of Sergeant. She talks of the riding talents of sons Damian and Callum. Karen looks back fondly on the thrill of her first training win at Bowraville. She talks of a Taree Gold Cup win with Sound And Vision, part owned by former Mounties working associate Ed Quilty. Karen acknowledges daughter Maddy’s clever ride on Sound And Vision. She delights in relating the story behind her first Randwick winner Fay’s Angels. Another former work associate was responsible for Karen being given the mare to train. She says the quirky mare is well suited to farm life. Karen talks of the mare’s veteran owner breeder Ed Meadows who’s now 97 and going strong. It’s a nice chat with a lady who can’t imagine a single day without horses.

Bryan Martin was in his early 20’s when appointed number three race caller behind Bert Bryant and John Russell on Melbourne’s 3UZ in 1972. Martin went on to a brilliant career in his own right, but not before spending countless hours with John in broadcast boxes throughout Victoria. The two became trusted colleagues and close friends. Nobody is better qualified than Bryan to pay tribute to one of the greats of the trade. He sings the praises of John Russell the race caller, and shares some wonderful stories from the life and times of a true Aussie character. Bryan looks back on his final visit to the bedside of his old friend. Bryan looks back on John’s upbringing in Warrnambool where his hard working mother ran a boarding house. He relays the stories he’d heard from John about Warrnambool’s busy SP betting trade. Bryan revisits John’s love of doubles betting at carnival time, and his all time best result. The former top caller knows the John Russell story backwards. He looks back on Russell’s first radio job with 3YB. Bryan reflects on his former colleague’s love of foot running and his own natural ability in the sport. He looks back on John’s annual coverage on 3UZ of the famous Stawell Gift. He talks of a sudden reshuffle in the 3UZ pecking order when Frank O’Brien switched to rival station 3DB. Bryan talks of the contrast in styles between Bert Bryant and John Russell. He talks of Bert Bryant’s insatiable love of the punt. John Russell was his commission agent. Martin was right in the middle of the dramatic situation at 3UZ when Bert suffered a brain aneurysm. His return to the microphone was short lived. Bryan recalls John’s heartbreak when 3UZ dumped its racing format in 1984. He looks back on early days at 3UZ when he and John Russell shared broadcasting duties at many tracks. Bryan recalls one hilarious incident on the way to the races one day when he realised John was wearing a hairpiece. He talks of his colleague’s love of a drink and an uncanny ability to handle the ravages of a big night. The famous Phar Lap movie required the appearance of a 1930’s race caller. Bryan remembers John’s delight in accepting the cameo role. We switch the focus to Martin who initially retired in 2007 at just 57. Bryan talks of a comeback on new station SEN who introduced an abbreviated racing service. That comeback lasted seven years. We get Bryan to reminisce about his famous call of Better Loosen Up’s 1990 Japan Cup win. The former commentator delights in talking about the high profile horse he part owned. People still marvel at his composure as he called Fields Of Omagh in two Cox Plate wins. He talks of his involvement in the development of Living Legends Farm, home to many a retired champion. Bryan outlines his present day role of managing smaller syndicates in horses sourced from OTI Racing and Te Akau Racing Stables. The winners keep flowing. He nominates a few syndicate runners punters should keep tabs on. Great to catch up with an old mate who was among John Russell’s dearest friends.

Larry Cassidy’s sheer consistency as a professional jockey has brought him a strong fan base over almost four decades in the saddle. It’s now more than four months since Larry rode in a race, and the fans are getting restless.The ace jockey joins us on the podcast to talk about the litany of health issues and injuries he’s battled in recent years. He begins by talking about the track fall that left him with a badly broken finger last November. The complications have been endless. Larry takes us back to April of 2023 when he felt a twinge in his back during the running of a race. He battled on for a while but eventually the pain from a bulging disc made surgery inevitable. He was back at the races much sooner than expected. He’d had only twelve rides back when a trackwork accident sent him out again. This time Doctors performed an epidural and ordered another long rest. Larry says he thought he’d used up all of his bad luck when he finally resumed last November. Lady Luck wasn’t done with him yet. The jockey was in reminiscent mood as he talked about early life in Wellington NZ. He looks back on the talents of brother Ricky who made a big name for himself as a jumps jockey. Larry talks of his first apprenticeship at Palmerston North and remembers his first ever race ride. Like most jockeys his first win remains etched in his memory. He talks of a transfer to former jockey Bruce Marsh at Woodville. Here his career took off. Larry fondly remembers a trip to Australia with Marsh who campaigned a small team of horses in Brisbane. This is where he rode his first Aussie winner. He recalls being involved in a five horse fall at Randwick during the same trip. The respected jockey looks back on a flying start when he finally settled in Sydney. Brother Jim recommended him for a prized ride. Larry pays tribute to Jim Cassidy. His comments will surprise you. With the Championships upon us it was a good time to talk about Larry’s big Easter double in 1997- the Doncaster on Secret Savings and the Sydney Cup on Linesman, He speaks fondly of Linesman and recalls the gelding’s huge run in the 1997 Melbourne Cup when battling a foot issue. Larry looks back on many rides in the Melbourne Cup without a win. A third and a fourth were his best results. The jockey clearly remembers a Victoria Derby win on Arena for the Inghams. Larry acknowledges a number of outstanding gallopers he got to ride during his years in Sydney. Obviously he spends extra time on Sunline. He looks back on Darren Beadman’s shock retirement in 1997 and his promotion to the number one role at Crown Lodge. He says he was never officially appointed. It just happened. Larry talks of his three jockey’s premierships and his relationship with John Hawkes. Cassidy remembers a new association with Gai Waterhouse after the parting of the ways with Crown Lodge. He explains his reasons for electing to make the move to Brisbane in 2009. He talks of a Queensland Derby win not long after relocating. His recollections of his one and only ride on Winx make for good listening. He couldn’t believe what he’d just experienced. Larry talks of a nightmare eighteen months with meniscal tearing in both knees. He eventually took his rehabilitation into his own hands. He pays tribute to wife Michelle and children Luke and Jade. Luke is on his way as a Doctor Of Medicine while Jade has aspirations in the arts, but is currently working for the wonderful organisation Guide Dogs Queensland. Larry is taking a realistic view of the future. He’d love to ride again, but hasn’t dismissed the possibility of an enforced retirement. It’s a laid back chat with an outstanding jockey who’s made a million friends along the way.

Five winners in a week when you have only twelve horses in work is a notable effort for any trainer. Port Macquarie’s John Sprague did exactly that in the middle of March with doubles at Coffs Harbour and Grafton and a single at Kempsey. John kicked off as an apprentice jockey in the late 1970’s when Canterbury was still a busy training centre. His riding career didn’t get going until he relocated to Port Macquarie. Two hundred wins later he switched to the training business, and has maintained a healthy strike rate for the last twenty eight years. John begins by talking about his recent winning trot. He clears up any confusion about the pronunciation of his surname. Renovations to Port Macquarie training facilities have made things difficult for local trainers of late. John discusses the problems. He takes us back to the days of his apprenticeship to Jim O’Connor at Canterbury and a switch to an Orange stable. Rides were almost non existent. He pays tribute to the Canterbury trainers of the era with special acknowledgement of a popular jockey who gave great assistance to those trainers over many years. John talks of a move to Port Macquarie where his father had set up a training stable. John Snr wasn’t in the position to apprentice his son, but Glen Hodge came to the rescue. John looks back on the thrill of his first winning ride- it was Stairway trained by his boss on his hometrack. He remembers a winning run that brought him doubles and trebles. Sprague looks back on a Taree Gold Cup win on the Glen Hodge trained Just Prince in 1980. Still on his riding career Sprague fondly remembers a country cups treble on Bold Bazza. He talks of Bold Bazza’s trainer Harry Leroy and wife Betty who’d been one of the pioneer lady jockeys in NSW. John talks of his riding days on northern rivers tracks with special mention of the unusual Bowraville circuit. He rarely rode in the city and finished his career without a metro winner. He talks of the “one that got away”. John looks back on the news that his father was about to relinquish his trainer’s licence and sell the Port Macquarie stables. Sprague Snr came up with an offer he couldn’t refuse. The experienced horseman acknowledges some of the horses who’ve helped shape his training career. He pays tribute to wife Karen who held a trainer’s licence at one stage. John looks back on the lowest point of his life in racing- a shock disqualification when one of his horses returned a positive swab after a race at Tuncurry-Forster. He looks back on a nightmare experience and the cost of his spirited defence. He pays tribute to a handful of jockeys with whom he’s enjoyed continued success in the northern region. John and Karen are the proud parents of three sons. None of the boys have pursued a career in racing, but all have successful careers. The 62 year old trainer gives a pointer to his future plans.

Always a pleasure to catch up with the bush trainers. Our podcast guest this week is Albury’s Ron Stubbs whose reputation precedes him. Ron is rarely without a handy horse, and he currently prepares Bianco Vilano who’s already safely locked away for the Country Championship Final on April 6th. Ron’s affinity with horses goes back to childhood days in the western Riverina. His training career has been spread over two successful stints. He talks about his first win on returning to training in 2016 with the curiously named Squidensqizz. Ron looks back on his memorable day at Albury on Feb 18th- three wins including the Country Championship Qualifier. He talks of his association with Victorian jockey Craig Williams who rode all three winners. Ron talks of the progress made by Bianco Vilano. The trainer speaks well of Bianco Vilano’s full brother Baledon who finished third in the Albury qualifier. Ron takes us back to childhood days in Moulamein and the shetland pony his father won in a raffle. He remembers the family’s relocation to Hay and his participation in pony club. Not surprisingly he later graduated to riding trackwork for his dad Pat who was hobby training at the time. Ron talks of his only sister Jenny, and brother Peter Stubbs who devoted most of his working life to racing administration. The trainer speaks fondly of his work experience stint with legendary Melbourne trainer Angus Armanasco. He talks of his decision to become a professional trainer, and the setting up of his business in Albury. He remembers the uncertain early days. Ron clearly recalls his first training success at Balranald. He speaks glowingly of the three horses to put him on his feet as a commercial trainer. Ron recalls his first meeting with Petra, his wife and staunchest supporter. He looks back on his decision to take a job with Finemore Transport who had a busy Albury base. His sons Kurt and Nick were 10 and 7 respectively, while daughter Abbey had just arrived in the world. Ron talks of his twenty years in the transport game- some of it with Finemore Transport, some with Green Freights. He says daughter Abbey’s love of horses partly influenced his decision to return to training. Ron talks of his commitment to keeping his team at manageable numbers. He talks of good performer Tap ‘N’ Run. Ron rates his Albury Cup winner Spunlago as the best he’s trained to date. He speaks admiringly of smart mare Boss Lady Rocks who’ll race at the Albury Cup carnival. Ron pays tribute to some of the talented jockeys who’ve helped him along the way. It’s a nice “chin wag” with a respected country horseman.

The Gosford racing precinct has never had a better ambassador than Angela Davies. The amiable trainer was born and reared in a cottage opposite the racecourse float entrance and hasn’t strayed far since. This is the story of a young girl who was pestering local trainers at five or six years of age, and has never wanted to do anything else but train racehorses. Angela had just returned from the Randwick trials when we called, and was pretty excited about one of her twelve horse team. She talks fondly of Our Kobison with whom she’s won five recent races. The story behind this talented four year old is an inspiration to racing’s smaller players. Angela takes us back to childhood days when she’d be out of bed in the dark to watch Gosford trackwork. Mum had one firm rule before she’d allow her daughter to leave the house. She talks about her father Bruce, a former on course bookie who found an alternative way to service customers. Bruce vehemently discouraged her from becoming a jockey. Angela reflects on the days when a stranger would climb onto the roof of the family home on Gosford race days. The trainer takes us back to her early days in the show ring and the little business venture she started on gaining her first job. She’s never forgotten the first horse she trained in her own right- a $1000 filly purchased straight out of a paddock. Angela remembers her first yearling sale purchase- the $1250 dollar colt who was destined to become her first winner. He had a few quirks. The devoted horsewoman started to buy cheap yearlings from low key sales. She looks back on some of the early winners to bring her talents under notice. She talks of Clipper who was in foal when she came into the stable. She didn’t have much time but managed to win at Scone and Randwick with the expectant mum. Angela talks of She’s A Stalker who won two in town and a Wyong 3YO Magic Millions. She fondly remembers the talented Waitandwatch. Angela acknowledges a few other horses to play a part in bringing her name to potential owners. She talks of the little property at nearby Narara from which she’s been training her horses for almost three decades. Angela takes us through the background story of the Wanted colt she hoped to buy for $5000. She was stressed when she had to go to $7500. She takes us through the wonderful journey that led Through The Cracks to his win in the Provincial Championship Final, a dream result for his ten excited owners. The trainer speaks fondly of Salina Dreaming who showed great talent despite several niggling issues. Angela talks of her three year respite from racing in the late 1990’s to join the motherhood ranks. She pays tribute to daughter Georgia and son Jarred. She’s both surprised and delighted to regularly hear from potential owners seeking shares in modestly priced horses. This is a lovely yarn with a trainer whose effervescent personality shows through from go to whoa!

I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Dominic Tourneur but I’m aware of his prominence among Adelaide jockeys and his success rate over a long period of years. We decided to find out a little more about his journey in racing by inviting him onto our podcast, and he was happy to oblige. Dominic was originally apprenticed in Perth but by his own admission was pretty half hearted in those early years. He worked a second job for most of his time in Geraldton where he won seven local premierships. Finally he bit the bullet and moved to Adelaide in 2005. He wouldn’t change a thing. Dominic begins by talking about his Mauritian parents Marie and George. The premiership winning rider looks back on the day his mother told him about a newspaper ad calling for apprentice jockeys. Dom talks of his first master, former champion jockey Graeme Webster. He remembers a transfer to another Perth trainer Ted Martinovich who struggled to get young Tourneur focused. Dom says he finished his apprenticeship with an unimpressive CV. He talks of short stays in various towns before settling in Geraldton 400 kms from the capital. He looks back on those early days with partner Melissa by his side, and some temporary accommodation. Dominic rode at Geraldton meetings but also worked a second job at a local car yard. He looks back on his coming of age as a jockey, and seven Geraldton jockey titles. Tourneur says he felt he was riding well enough to consider a move interstate. The toss of a coin decided his future. He talks of the method he used to alert Adelaide trainers of his availability. Dom acknowledges the leading trainer who used his services at trackwork, and gave him his first SA winner. The jockey looks back on the important win that announced his arrival in the state. He was thrilled to become associated with a promising stayer who would take him to Melbourne and bring him high profile opportunities. Dom talks of the hype associated with his Melbourne Cup mount. He couldn’t believe he was on the favourite in the iconic two miler. He takes us through that Cup of 2009. The jockey reflects on two Gr 1 seconds on the same horse three years later. Tourneur looks back on a successful association with prominent trainer Phillip Stokes, and the thrill of his first Gr 1 win. He pays tribute to Hucklebuck, one of his all time favourite horses. He rode the Elvstroem gelding in all but one of 19 starts for six wins including a memorable Gr 1 at Flemington during the 2014 Melbourne Cup carnival. Dom recalls making it a double in the final race on the same programme. He says the day was made even more special when the owner of his two winners turned up unexpectedly from Hong Kong. The jockey acknowledges the talents of two other notable winners he got to ride. He talks of a chronic back problem which required major surgery. Dom talks about the second job he instigated when Adelaide racing slipped into the doldrums a few years ago. He talks about the interests of son Blake and daughter Hannah. The successful jockey reflects on an Adelaide premiership win, and the luxury of being able to keep away from the sweat box. Dom looks back on a career that has brought him 1750 winners. He still regrets having wasted valuable time early in his career. It’s a laid back chat with a very amiable Adelaide jockey.

From the late 70’s to the mid 80’s Brent Thomson was almost certainly Australia’s most high profile jockey. As number one rider for the powerful Lindsay Park training operation, he got to ride some of the nation’s best horses in Group 1 races around the nation. Brent quit the saddle in 2000 and was quickly signed by New Zealand Bloodstock as the company’s Australian representative. He continues to fill that role from his Melbourne base. When you conduct an interview with a bloke like Brent Thomson, it’s hard to know where to start and where to finish. We give it a crack on this week’s podcast, beginning with his decision to retire at the end of a Macau stint twenty four years ago. Brent talks of the vibrant state of racing in Macau at the time, and a Derby win on a smart horse called Cheerine Champion. He recalls the final winning ride of his career on a horse with strong Australian connections. We fast forward to his current situation and the diversified role he has with New Zealand Bloodstock. The former champion jockey takes us right back to early days in Wanganui (sometimes Whanganui) and an apprenticeship to his father Kevin who rode successfully before turning to training. Brent reminisces about his very first winning ride way over on the east coast of the north island. He looks back on a NZ win on Fury’s Order which gained him the Cox Plate ride. He’s never forgotten the loyalty of the horse’s owner. Brent takes us through one of the wettest Cox Plates on record. He talks about the nickname bestowed upon him by a prominent Melbourne journalist- a nickname still used by friends and associates. The former champion jockey looks back on a second Cox Plate win on Family Of Man, a horse he admired tremendously. He recalls the stallion’s swansong appearance at Pinjarra in WA. Brent clearly recalls the day Colin Hayes called him out of the Trentham jockey’s room with a gobsmacking offer. He talks of an opportunity to repay Colin Hayes by landing So Called a winner in the Cox Plate soon after beginning his new job. Brent takes us right through his amazing association with champion Dulcify. Recollections of the great horse’s breakdown in the 1979 Melbourne Cup haunt him to this day. He looks back on a seven year association with the legendary Colin Hayes. Brent talks of the “pick up” ride on Gurner’s Lane which brought him the first of two Caulfield Cups. He was bitterly disappointed when Lindsay Park commitments prevented his riding the horse in the Melbourne Cup. He looks back on a second Caulfield Cup on freakish mud runner Lord Reims. Much has been written about Dandy Andy’s shock defeat of Vo Rogue at odds of 125/1 in the 1988 Australian Cup. He wasn’t keen to ride the horse. Brent looks back on a UK trip instigated by Robert Sangster. He talks of the super horses he got to ride in two trips to Europe. He also reflects on some notable success in Hong Kong. Before taking up his Macau contract in the late 90’s Brent spent some time on the Gold Coast. He talks of a winning run for retired trainer Alan Bailey. Brent takes us through his background in the “marriage stakes” and pays tribute to his four children and two grandchildren. He looks back on a relatively lucky run with injury. This is a lovely trip down memory lane with the Kiwi jockey who was one of the leading players in an era of great horses and unforgettable horsemen.

I deserve a reprimand for taking so long to catch up with Jenny Duggan. There are several well known facts about this 44 year old Swedish born jockey. She can hold her own on the back of a thoroughbred at any level. She’s a hard worker, she’s as tough as teak and thoroughly reliable. She’s a great wife to Ben, and a wonderful mum and stepmother. What more can I say. Let’s hear from Jen who begins by talking about the support she receives from country and provincial trainers. She gives great credit to manager Shaun Flaherty. The jockey talks about a “near miss” on her old favourite Torrens in the recent black type Australia Day Cup. She rates Torrens as her all time favourite. Jenny talks about a happy childhood on the family dairy farm at Figeholm in Sweden. The dairy cows shared the paddocks with a handful of horses. The die was cast. She recalls her parents having to drag her off the pony at dinner time. Jen pays tribute to her late paternal grandfather, and to her parents Tony and Lisa. The former Jenny Lindgren says the majority of “horsey” Swedish kids often finish up in trotting stables. She much preferred to ride. She looks back on a memorable six month stint with NZ trainer Murray Baker. Jenny talks about an invitation to visit Australia with a Swedish friend. The friend went home. Jenny is here for life. She talks of her introduction to Warwick Farm trackwork for several stables. The jockey reflects on a new job at Port Macquarie and a burgeoning romance with a well known amateur jockey. It wasn’t long before she joined her partner on the picnic circuit. She talks of an exciting premiership win, and a meeting with Racing NSW regarding unsatisfactory amateur riding fees. That meeting would change the course of her life. Jenny made her pro debut at Port Macquarie in 2012, and what a beginning! She won at her very first ride. She looks back on a winning run that earned her the ride on a horse she still regards as the best she’s ridden. Jen soon discovered that race riding is fraught with danger. Her winning streak was halted by a Newcastle fall which left her with serious injuries to a knee. She was out for the best part of a year. She hasn’t forgotten her return to trackwork. Mother nature put her on the sidelines again. It was another year off to get her new son up and running. Back to trackwork and you won’t believe what happened! On finally returning to the saddle, Jenny says she intended to ride trackwork only. As her weight stabilised and her rhythm came back, the desire to ride in races surfaced again. It was brother-in-law Adam Duggan who agreed to apprentice her. In selecting a few memorable wins to talk about, we reminded the jockey of a Randwick Highway win on Gumshoe for former boss Marc Quinn. Jenny was going so well by Scone Cup day 2020, she had six rides at the meeting despite the presence of top Sydney riders. She just missed a place on a Chris Waller runner in the Cup, before crashing in a later race. She has no memory of the fall. The resilient jockey lists her injuries and talks about an agonisingly slow and tedious rehabilitation. There was never a hint of retirement. She recalls the exciting return to the track, and a Port Macquarie double at her fourth meeting on the comeback trail. Jenny looks back on a very successful return hindered by a recurrence of an injury from the Scone fall. She talks of a decision to take a complete break from racing and a return to her native Sweden. She took her sons Max and Sebastian along to spend time with their grandparents. The long holiday fixed the problem. Jen resumed in December 2022 and won a race at Tamworth second day back. Then came a Randwick win which meant the world to her. The jockey doesn’t mind admitting she’s one of Australia’s most senior female riders. She talks of her ability to ride near the limit weight, and her current trackwork roster. Great to catch up with the Swedish girl who had to be dragged off the pony when...

I first met Tony Lee when I had the honour to be guest commentator at the 1996 Wellington Cup meeting. In preparing to call a couple of races on the big programme, I received every possible courtesy from the NZ ace. Tony went out of his way to help me through a plethora of strange colours and horse names. I tuned in to hear his description of the recent Wellington Cup won by Mary Louise- his broadcasting swan song after four decades of wonderful service to NZ racing. I called Tony a few days after his Trentham send off to record this tribute to a man whose race calls whetted the appetites of generations of racing fans. He recalls the warmth of the farewell afforded him by the racing industry. Tony says his last Wellington Cup was a tricky race to call. He pays tribute to trainer Robbie Paterson and jockey Craig Grylls who bagged a Gr 1 double on the day. The veteran caller outlines the reasons for his surprise retirement. Tony reminisces about the 1996 Wellington Cup meeting when he and I worked together for the first and only time. The 65 year old looks back on childhood days on the family farm at Rongotea near Palmerston North. He says his late brother Craig was the one to introduce him to horse racing. Tony goes back to early days as a sound recordist with a local news crew. He says he loved the buzz of the media world. He talks of his admiration for the late Peter Kelly, New Zealand’s favourite race caller of the day. Tony looks back on his race calling debut at the Hutt Park trots. Lee became famous for the passion he generated in his race descriptions. He talks about the development of his style. Tony talks about Castletown’s third Wellington Cup win in 1994. The words he used in the closing stages of his call are still repeated by racing fans of all ages. He pays tribute to the remarkable two miler Castletown, one of the country’s greatest ever stayers. The ace commentator talks of Xcellent’s memorable win in the 2005 Mudgway Stakes, and the call that people still talk about. Horse lover Lee says he fell in love with Starcraft the moment he first saw him in the Hastings parade yard before the 2004 Mudgway Stakes. Tony talks of his affection for the Hastings track and runs through some of the other racecourses in the Central Districts. Regrettably he saw little of northern trained Sunline, but he did get to call her final race in NZ- the 2002 Mudgway Stakes. He says local fans gave her an unforgettable send off. Tony acknowledges the deeds of a handful of other special horses. He talks of the 2012 disagreement with TAB Trackside which saw him walk away from his plum role. Eager to test the water out of NZ he spent two years with the Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia. He enjoyed the experience. Tony recalls the twist of fate that would send him back to his old job. He pays tribute to some of the NZ trainers he’s admired over the years. In talking about jockeys he relates a funny story about the day at Otaki when he and trainer Alexander Fieldes put on an exhibition gallop. Tony talks about a business venture outside of racing. He and wife Briar run the Trax Bar and Cafe at Wellington railway station. It’s a laid back trip down memory lane with a man who’s been a great friend to NZ racing.

In order to find the right races for his horses, Ben Brisbourne makes full use of his ideal Wangaratta base to campaign in two states. He frequently has runners in rural Victoria but often appears in the NSW Riverina region. Great to catch up with a young horseman from a Shropshire racing family in the UK, who arrived in Melbourne unheralded and unsung a decade ago. He looks back on his reasons for trying the Aussie scene. Ben says he had a few contacts in Australia before making such a bold move. He looks back on track work duties for a handful of Melbourne trainers. The expatriate Englishman talks of his rewarding five years with the Lindsay Park operation at Euroa. Ben takes us back to his early life at Shrewsbury in Shropshire and the influence of his father Mark. He talks of Mark’s achievement in the riding and training ranks. He identifies two tracks where his father enjoyed great success, and talks of his achievements with inexpensive horses. Ben says Mark was forced to walk away from training for a while, but is back in the game as foreman for a high profile trainer. Brisbourne looks back on a college degree which he attained simply to appease his parents. The Wangaratta trainer looks back on valuable time spent with a legendary UK jumps trainer. Ben looks back on his brief career as an amateur jockey. He fondly recalls his first meeting with a vet nurse at Lindsay Park who was destined to become his partner and the mother of his twin sons. Ben outlines Heather’s short career as a jockey and the painful back injury that brought her riding aspirations to a close. He talks of their Wangaratta farm, and the twin boys who keep them busy from dawn to dusk. He acknowledges Heather’s role in the running of the business. The trainer looks at the Wangaratta training facilities and its ideal location. Ben won’t forget the trip to NSW which brought a memorable win in the famous Snake Gully Cup. He goes back to the magical occasion of his very first training win with Shoplifter at Albury, and the equally exciting experience of winning his first city win. Ben acknowledges the special horses who’ve contributed to his rise in the training ranks. He talks of the talented apprentices who’ve been part of his journey. The thirty five year old revisits the thrill of an unexpected trainer’s award in 2021. Ben discusses his immediate plans, and looks to the future. Ben Brisbourne continues to make his presence felt in the horse training ranks. He doesn’t have a single regret about leaving his native England a decade ago.

Nathan Doyle places his horses judiciously, and is rewarded with a consistent win rate. In this current season he’s sitting in tenth spot on the NSW premiership ladder. Here is a young man born and reared in the Hunter Valley who was destined for a future with horses. After several years in the employ of top trainers, Nathan kicked off at Newcastle in 2018. He begins by talking about his current number of horses. He says he tried to get started at Scone but couldn’t find enough boxes. The trainer expresses delight with his current season statistics. Nathan says more young horses are now coming into his stables. He looks back on a childhood practice of drawing horse figures on paper- an early pointer to his subsequent career. Nathan says there was no connection with racing in the family background, but his father’s best friend was a trainer. He acknowledges behind-the-scenes assistance from his only sibling, sister Hayley. Doyle looks back on his apprenticeship as a budding boilermaker, mainly to appease his parents. He was surprised to gain a trainer’s licence with a minimum of fuss. He looks back on his first venture into training, and a Narromine win with a cheap mare. Nathan recalls his commitment to learning from the best teachers. He was 24 when a job came up with Team Snowden. He looks back on a rewarding two years as Mark Newnham’s Warwick Farm stable manager. The trainer remembers the highlight of his time at Randwick- the beginning of a relationship with long time partner Melina Gissing who was on the Gai Waterhouse team. Nathan says Mel actually owned his first winner as a trainer this time around. They found the right race at Dubbo, and almost snagged a double on the day. He pays tribute to his great mate and “go-to” jockey Koby Jennings. He talks about the veteran galloper who came out of nowhere to Give him a win in his hometown Cup. Nathan outlines the reasons a mare called Strawb was potentially the best horse he’s ever trained. He has some nice things to say about the massively talented mare Norwegian Bliss. Nathan acknowledges several horses who’ve helped to establish him as a serious commercial trainer. He admits to being a bad sleeper, and says many of his solutions to problems are sorted out in the middle of the night. A laid back chat with a young trainer whose reputation precedes him.

Shaun Guymer made the decision a few seasons back to follow in the footsteps of Sydney based jockeys like Grant Buckley and Jeff Penza who’ve enjoyed fruitful careers away from the metropolitan area. Like Penza and Buckley, Shaun sees more sense in having five or six rides on a southern districts track than pushing a 100/1 “pop”around in town. The popular jockey talks about his current workload and his acceptance of the endless travel required to meet “bush” commitments. He talks about the predicament of having offers at two meetings on the same day. Shaun says he agonises over the offer of a good ride in town from time to time. He hates to disappoint regular clients in the bush. He talks about distances to his usual venues. The jockey pays tribute to Jeff Penza and Grant Buckley. He greatly admires the longtime dedication of the veterans. Shaun says his family background is devoid of racing. He talks of his father’s glazing business, and the support of his mother and sibling Josh. The jockey looks back on his initial work experience with top Goulburn horseman Danny Williams. He was later apprenticed to Williams. Shaun looks back on a transfer of his indentures to Canberra trainer Mark Schmetzer who became a valued friend and tutor. He’s never forgotten his very first race ride. The horse was trained by Keith Dryden but failed to flatter at any stage. Shaun’s first winning ride at Queanbeyan remains etched in his memory. The horse was trained by Rex Cole. Guymer had a long wait before his first city winner came along. The horse was trained by Jarrod Austin and started at cricket score odds. He’s very proud of a Canberra apprentices premiership. Shaun looks back on a three month loan out to Randwick trainer Kevin Moses. He says Moses rode work with him most mornings. He says he thoroughly enjoyed his time with Stephen Farley at Wyong. The 31 year old looks back on a brief association with Chris Waller who utilised his claim on a couple of talented horses. Shaun remembers with gratitude a valuable stint with Peter Moody not long after Black Caviar had departed the stable. He’s never forgotten a Caulfield win on a smart Moody trained mare. The jockey looks back on a bout of depression after completing his apprenticeship. He lost his way as the opportunities diminished, but found a way to get back on track. He talks admiringly of his wife Emma, daughter of Hawkesbury trainer Tim Walsh. Shaun was gobsmacked when offered an opportunity by high profile trainer Tony McEvoy who had opened a satellite stable at Hawkesbury. He speaks highly of the multiple Group 1 winning trainer. He talks of a move to the former Lindsay Park in South Australia when McEvoy’s Sydney base was closed. Shaun has nothing but fond memories of his association with Richard Freedman who’d made the decision to train in his own right at Rosehill. They won numerous races together. The jockey looks back on a freakish incident at Nowra in 2018. His mount Ahmad literally got off the ground to win a BM 58. The footage went viral on social media. He talks of a Wagga Guineas win on Lion’s Roar beating a future Kosciuszko winner. Shaun expresses appreciation for the support he receives from trainers in the southern region. He makes special mention of Natalie Jarvis. He talks of a rare trip he made recently to Newcastle. It was worth the trouble. Shaun says Emma closely watches his rides on the Sky service. You can hear the “proud dad” element as he talks about three and a half year old son Fletcher. It’s a laid back chat with a very talented jockey who drives thousands of kilometres to ply his trade.

The brilliant young Brisbane jockey is under suspension as this podcast is posted. He’s not happy about this one or the many that have preceded it in his short career so far. In the main his suspensions are the result of trying too hard to win. He’s a driven young man who harbours a desire to make his mark in the shortest possible time. Slowly but surely he’s realising the error of his ways. Kyle tells his story with total honesty and great sensitivity. He begins by outlining a new understanding of his responsibility when riding in races. The young jockey says he’s fortunate that his weight remains stable during suspension layoffs. Kyle takes us back to childhood days in Victoria and some tough times for his mother and siblings. He reminisces about his dislike of the classroom and the surprise invitation to ride a horse at a school camp. He says this was life’s defining moment. The jockey says he was only twelve years old when he first started to spend time at the Seymour stables of Lee and Shannon Hope. He’s never forgotten the help he received from Bronwyn Upjohn at a Kilmore breaking and pre-training operation. Kyle pays tribute to the grandfather who offered him encouragement and guidance. He’s totally frank as he looks back on his attitude to life in mid teens, and a brush with drugs. The jockey gives credit to an uncle who talked him into getting away from Victoria. From here the Wilson-Taylor story takes an amazing turn. He recalls turning up at Coffs Harbour racecourse and offering his services as a trackwork rider. Kyle has never forgotten the support offered by local trainer Brett Dodson. They’re still great mates. You can hear the delight in his voice as he reminisces about his first day of race riding. He was in disbelief when one of his three mounts greeted the judge. Kyle looks back on the Grafton race fall that decimated his confidence. He actually left racing and worked in other roles. He talks of his return to racing and a stint with Dwayne Schmidt at Grafton and the beginning of his friendship with racing administrator Michael Beattie. The jockey talks of his association with manager Glenn Courtney and a move to a new life at Toowoomba. On his very first night at Clifford Park he met his partner, aspiring jockey Angela Jones. He acknowledges the support of trainer Lindsay Hatch. Kyle recalls some of his memorable days at the races including a five timer at Doomben. He looks back on a brief association with the emerging champion stayer Incentivise. Understandably he enjoys reminiscing about his day of days at Eagle Farm last June- a Gr 1 win on talented mare Palaisipan. Kyle says he enjoys an occasional return to NSW northern rivers meetings. He reviews an outstanding day at the Lismore Cup meeting last September. He looks back on brief associations with top mares Hinged and Gypsy Goddess. Kyle talks of his total obsession with racing and his addiction to the Sky Racing coverage. The jockey looks at his only two hit and run missions to Sydney. In conclusion the young jockey offers encouragement to young people who might be on the wrong track or heading that way.