John Tapp Racing

Please forgive my deviation from our usual interview format but the discovery of some very old broadcast tapes has set me upon a sentimental journey and rekindled memories I’d like to share with you. The centuries old proverb “handsome is as handsome does” has never been better exemplified than it was by the celebrated racehorse Tobin Bronze. He ticked every box as a thoroughbred type and endeared himself to racing fans in four magnificent seasons on Australian tracks. His few disappointing performances always came with a legitimate excuse. His finest moments are still revered by those who were around in the days of the horse they called the “Bronze Bullet”. We’ll get back to our usual podcast format next week, but for now I’d like to invite you to join me on a trip down memory lane as we look at the racing life of a deep chestnut stallion who captivated Australia’s thoroughbred lovers in the 1960’s. Sincere thanks to Melbourne historian Dennis Najin who made available Bill Collins’ graphic calls of Tobin Bronze’s wins in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate of 1967.

I was thrilled to meet David Taggart for the first time at the recent Sydney premiere of the “J.Mac Story”. Like many Aussie racing fans I was well acquainted with his story. The story of a distinguished riding career being abruptly halted in 2007 by a freakish fall at Stony Creek- a career which had brought him more than 800 wins including 48 black type races. Included in that impressive tally are six Gr 1’s. “Tags” as he’s affectionately known, suffered years of post accident trauma before a stroke of good fortune changed his future direction. He’s still battling a few issues but occupies his mind with the task of preparing and presenting four weekly segments on Melbourne’s SEN Track. I quickly pinned him down to a podcast and we got the job done this week. David begins his inspirational story by talking about his current immobility problems and the way he overcomes them. He talks about the lucky break that led him to a radio career. David pays tribute to his SEN sidekick Gareth Hall. The former successful jockey takes us back to the freakish Stony Creek fall that ended his career. He talks about the injuries, the rehabilitation and the emotional aftermath. Dave looks back on his apprenticeship to legendary trainer Frank King, the man described as Melbourne’s answer to Theo Green. He remembers Frank’s undying devotion to his apprentices. “Tags” remembers the thrill of his first winning ride. He talks of the overwhelming experience of being engaged for a Gr 1 ride by none other than Bart Cummings. The 52 year old shares recollections of a very special day. David speaks glowingly of Greg Mance, the trainer who supplied his second Gr 1 winner. He enjoyed great success for the Mance stable over a lengthy period of time. His Stony Creek accident was bad enough but he looks back on another freak mishap at Moonee Valley that put him out for eight months. Dave pays tribute to Seascay, a high quality horse who gave him two wins and several placings at the elite level. He looks back on another Gr 1 win in the famous Goodwood Hcp at Morphettville for legendary trainer George Hanlon. He shares memories of a special day. David looks back on a successful stint in Macau. He originally planned on a three month term which stretched to four years. He elaborates on the Hollow Bullet story- the $10,000 filly who gave him his sixth Gr 1 victory in the historic Oaks at Flemington. He shares several great stories surrounding the filly and the running of the 2004 Crown Oaks. Dave pays tribute to his 25 year old daughter Grace. He’s already introduced her to the AFL and to his favourite team. This is an inspiring interview with a personable little bloke who’s learned to blend the good with the bad in life. Keen racing people will find him very entertaining as he looks back on the highs and lows.

Former champion jockey Wayne Harris speaks glowingly of his former “stablemate” Neil Rae. Both were apprenticed to the late Pat Farrell, and while Harris concentrated on metropolitan racing for most of his career Rae opted to stay in the Hunter region where he enjoyed a productive 23 years- productive enough to give him a total of 8 Hunter and North West riding premierships. Wayne Harris suggested I call the former lightweight jockey and talk to him about a possible podcast. A little reluctant at first, Neil finally agreed to join us for a chat about a career that brought him a very impressive 1370 wins. He begins by talking about the excavators and compactors he operates for the Lake Macquarie City Council. Always a natural lightweight, Neil says he’s still pretty fit. Rae was given a nickname by workmates very early in his career. He says it’s still widely used by racing people. Neil talks about a racing accident at Gosford that left him with a shocking ankle injury. He talks about a short lived comeback. He was delighted to ride a winner on his final day in the saddle. Neil talks about early days in Newcastle and his intense dislike of school. He talks of his first experience in a racing stable followed by his indentureship to the late Pat Farrell. The retired jockey clearly remembers his first race ride at Muswellbrook, and the thrill of his first win just a few weeks later. He actually landed a double on the day. Neil remembers his first provincial and metropolitan wins on the same horse. He recalls being driven to the races by Wayne Harris on the occasion of his first city win, little realising he’d later buy the car in question. He talks about the valuable tutelage he received from Harris, one of the greatest riders of his generation. Neil talks affectionately of Irish Flyer, perhaps the most important horse in his early career. He remembers the brilliant but headstrong Proud Knight. The son of Vain had enormous ability but often refused to race tractably around the turns. There was one unforgettable occasion at Randwick when Proud Knight’s gate opened prematurely. Neil says his tendency to try too hard early in his career resulted in many suspensions. He talks of successful associations with leading Newcastle trainers like Paul Perry, Max Lees and later Kris Lees. Neil says his ability to ride at a featherweight sometimes cost him rides. He looks back on his eight riding premierships, three of them as an apprentice. Neil says he was thrilled to be invited to ride two former champion racehorses in exhibition gallops. One was a legend, the other a dominant two year old in the early 80’s. Neil had only a handful of Gr 1 rides. He was pretty chuffed to ride the third placegetter in the 1989 Sydney Cup. He says the race was run under deplorable conditions. He talks about fatherhood and the inevitable progression to grandfatherhood. Neil Rae is well remembered as a jockey of unwavering work ethic. His career win tally of 1370 tells the story. Great to have him on the podcast.

Ashlee Grives nee Siejka left a big imprint on the NSW race driving scene with an impressive tally of 800 winners. She trained many of them in her own right. In more recent years Ash has dabbled in the training of thoroughbreds largely with online purchases. It’s well documented that she has won a race or two with most of them. During her years in the trotting game the gifted horsewoman worked as a veterinary nurse for the famous Randwick Equine Centre, spending much of her time assisting in the operating theatre. Her interest in the anatomy of the horse has remained with her ever since, and played a part in her recent decision to go full time into Equine Rehabilitation. Ash joins us on the podcast to look back on her outstanding career in harness racing, a brief but successful stint as a gallops trainer and a recent transition into a brand new phase of her life. The Bathurst born horsewoman talks about the grind of horse training and travelling in recent years, interspersed by the arrival of daughter Dulcie and son Reggie. Ash believes she was beginning to identify the symptoms of “burn-out” after more than twenty years of non stop racing involvement. She says her interest in rehabilitation work surfaced when friends asked her to try her methods on a handful of unsound horses. She produced some excellent results. Ashlee outlines the procedure she intends to adopt on horses coming through her practice. Vets will be working with her throughout every programme. She talks of the unwavering support of Ryan Grives, her husband of ten years. Ryan, a bricklayer by trade, knew little about horses but learned very quickly. Ash takes us back to early days when her father Michael Siejka was working as a concreter in Bathurst and hobby training a handful of pacers before and after work. She was in the trotting sulky from an early age. She says the defining moment came when her father sent her to Melbourne to look after a three year old he’d entered for the heats and Final of the Victoria Pacing Derby. By the time the teenager was back in Bathurst she was completely sold on the harness sport. Ash still laughs about her maiden race drive at Bathurst. She thought she’d followed Michael’s instructions to the letter, and was bewildered by the blast that came her way. The rising star made sure she didn’t make the same mistake on the same horse a couple of weeks later. Ash talks about her first job away from horses. It didn’t take her long to realise office work was not for her. She talks of a move to Sydney soon after, and an appointment as a veterinary nurse with the famous Randwick Equine Centre. Ash says she had a couple of pacers in training during her time in Sydney. It wasn’t long before a handful of her veterinary colleagues joined the ownership of one of her horses- with happy results. She remembers the thrill of being booked by leading trainer Paul Fitzpatrick to handle a talented mare in a race for all female drivers at Harold Park. Ashlee looks back on her amazing season in 2009/2010 when she drove the staggering total of 160 NSW winners. Midway through that stellar term she became the first female to top 100 wins for a harness racing season in NSW. We give Ashlee plenty of time to pay tribute to her all time favourite horse, and the best she’s ever driven. She takes us back to the Bathurst Yearling Sale in 2013 when she acquired a plain little filly for $3500. Ash recaps Ameretto’s stunning racing career and the horrific setback that would cost the bonny mare her life. In 2017 the unselfish decision was made to send Ameretto to champion Victorian trainer Kerryn Manning who would win ten more races with the daughter of Million Dollar Cam. In one special Gr 1 race Ash got the call to reunite with her wonderful mare. Ash looks back on a great winning association with prominent Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie. One of the horses in question, a gelding called Lochinver won 24 races including the Truer Memorial. The talented

With his team of gallopers now in single digits, Terry Robinson has few city runners these days. It seems like yesterday when he and a handful of fellow trainers were dominating the TAB Highway races on Sydney tracks. So great was Terry’s win rate in the first few years that he still occupies fourth place on the Highway trainer’s table with 21 wins. Prior to turning his hand full time to the training of thoroughbreds, T.JRobinson was one of the most respected drivers at the regular Friday night meetings at the now defunct Harold Park Paceway. His late father Kevin Robinson had also excelled as a dual code trainer over a long period of years. Terry was in the winner’s circle again recently when $51.00 “pop” Tai Lung greeted the judge in a midweek race at Warwick Farm. I gave him a call to offer congratulations and you could have knocked me over with a feather when he hinted at retirement. I couldn’t get him on the podcast quickly enough. Terry talks about his Warwick Farm winner and says Tai Lung is a high maintenance horse. He talks about the inevitable scaling down of his Shoalhaven Heads training operation. Terry pays tribute to the talents of his late father Kevin Robinson. He says lessons learned from his dad have served him well in his own long career. The Robinson family have become famous for their ability to win races with unsound horses. Terry says the use of Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa has been their “ace card” over many years with both standardbreds and thoroughbreds. Terry takes us back to his golden days at the trots and the wonderful horses he got to drive, with special mention of champions like Gammalite and Koala King. He talks of Black Line- a freakishly talented young pacer who looked destined for stardom until a complicated spinal issue impeded his progress. Terry talks of the special horses who’ve helped him to establish his reputation among thoroughbred trainers. He pays tribute to his favourite Art Cadeau, the late bloomer who finished up becoming the only horse to complete the Country Championship/Kosciuszko double. The respected trainer talks of some of the horses who’ve helped him win 21 TAB Highways since the inception of the series in 2015. Terry’s reputation as a work rider is well known. His long time involvement hasn’t been without its setbacks. He remembers two monumental “busters”- one at the Nowra racecourse, the other on Seven Mile Beach. It’s well documented that Terry was one of twelve children. He hasn’t been able to emulate the deeds of his late father, but has posted a respectable score of six in the fatherhood stakes- four from his first marriage and another two with second wife Monique. He talks about the 12 acre property at Shoalhaven Heads which has served as his training base for many years. His wife Monique runs a very successful beach and trail ride business from the same property. Monique looks after 18 saddle horses. Her former involvement as a trainer and work rider have given her a thorough understanding of the tough grind of professional horse training.

Great to chat with a man who co-founded Hyperion Thoroughbreds, one of the very earliest racehorse syndication companies in Australia. We find out what Allan’s been doing since a crippling recession brought Hyperion’s operation to a halt in 1990.Allan takes us back to his childhood in Gravesend near Warialda when radio was a way of life to country people. He fell in love with the theatre of racing, the day he listened to the broadcast of the 1956 Melbourne Cup.He talks of school days in Inverell and his first job at the Valuer General’s Department in Sydney. A job transfer to Moree led him to a friendship with Terry Mulhall, destined to become his business partner in later years.Allan reflects on the creation of Hyperion Thoroughbreds and the concept of forming larger syndicates than those offered by predecessors.He recalls the creation of the famous black and pink silks which signalled the emerging popularity of syndication.He reflects on the tough guidelines introduced by the Corporate Affairs Commission in the 1970’s.Allan looks back on the extensive methods of communication necessary to keep hundreds of owners informed about their horses.He acknowledges some of the better horses to keep the Hyperion banner flying, beginning with the cheap Dubbo sale graduate Prince Clarendon.Allan pays a special tribute to the evergreen Targlish, almost certainly the best horse to represent the company. The remarkable gelding raced 109 times for 17 wins and 31 placings.He reflects on the ground breaking idea of purchasing a horse to race in America for Australian owners. He pays tribute to So Vague who won 5 races in the USA before being brought to Australia. He later won stakes races in Melbourne for Colin Hayes.Allan acknowledges the devotion of some special trainers who gave great service to Hyperion Thoroughbreds.He pays a special tribute to the veteran jockey who rode many winners in the Hyperion colours and frequently helped out behind the scenes.Allan reflects on the inevitable winding down of the 16 year old company when the recession started to bite. Hyperion was one of hundreds of businesses to be brought to their knees. The last of the horses were placed according to the wishes of their owners, and a great era had come to an end. It was a tough day for old mates Gainey and Mulhall.

Ray Thomas’ recent decision to quit his high pressure role triggered a flood of tributes for the hugely popular media identity. Ray’s many fans were pleased to learn he’ll still be appearing on Sky Thoroughbred Central programmes “This Week Next Week” and “News Central” and intends to continue his long time hosting role on the Sunday morning edition of Sky Racing Radio’s “Big Sports Breakfast”. Ray’s passion for multiple sports was evident from an early age, but horse racing prevailed when it was time for the aspiring journalist to settle on a career path. That career has been well documented, but I’d like to add my tribute to the many he’s already received from colleagues and followers. He’s our podcast guest this week. Ray begins by revisiting his final day in the Sydney Press Room, and the touching tribute accorded him in the Newscorp office a few days later. The popular journalist talks about the effects of his sudden departure from a very busy role. Ray talks about a 2023 health scare and the i decision to take stock of his hectic lifestyle. He talks of his late father’s career as an RAAF communications operator, a job that took him to several parts of the world. Young Raymond Grant was born during David Thomas’ Hong Kong stint in the early 1960’s. Ray looks back on his dad’s transfer to Perth where his love of sport began. His interest in horse racing was triggered by the deeds of two notable thoroughbred mares and one freakishly talented harness horse. Ray says one particular race call had an amazing impact on him. The multimedia personality looks back on his own participation in Aussie Rules and cricket during those early years in WA. He talks of the decision to follow his father into the air force. Ray acknowledges his elderly mother Marlene and siblings Tony and Stacey. He talks about his own nine year career with the RAAF. Ray takes us through the progression of roles with the Melbourne Herald Sun, the Sydney based Sportsman and finally his transition to Daily Telegraph Racing Editor, an appointment that came out of the blue. Ray takes us back to some of the biggest stories he covered from the mid nineties up to his recent retirement. From a media viewpoint some of them were veritable “bombshells”. The sixty one year old takes delight in revisiting the five races he rates as the most memorable he got to cover for Newscorp. Ray talks about the heartbreaking Friday afternoon in the Newscorp office when much loved Rugby League writer Peter Frilingos suffered a fatal heart attack at his desk. The legendary journalist was enormously thrilled when appointed to the Daily Telegraph team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. To this day he savours memories of Cathy Freeman’s dash for gold in the 400m. He was thrilled to have what he called “the best seat in the house”. Ian Thorpe’s unforgettable final leg in the 4x100m relay remains another indelible memory. (Beat American Gary Hall Jnr who’d been making some idle threats in the media) Perhaps the major sporting event Ray enjoyed the most as a working journalist was the Wimbledon men’s final of 2012 when Roger Federer won his seventh title at the All England Club. This was a bittersweet occasion for Ray whose father had passed away the previous year. He’s currently enjoying his new found role of grandfather to eighteen months old Charlotte. That role will soon be expanded. This is a lovely stroll down memory lane with a legend of the Australian racing media.

Clint Lundholm stands 182 cm and weighs in at 80kgs, but continues to ride regular trackwork at Dubbo. It’s hard to believe the same bloke was a professional jockey for close to three years in which time he posted 218 wins including a handful of country Cup successes. An eighteen month stint followed in the amateur ranks before he finally followed the family tradition of training racehorses. In just thirteen years in the role, Cint has posted 1012 wins and has a NSW country trainer’s premiership on his CV. At one stage his team grew to almost fifty horses, creating an unmanageable workload. Today he rarely has more than twenty in work and is thoroughly enjoying the job. Clint joins us on the podcast and begins by talking about his frenetic 2022/2023 season. He says the results were gratifying but the toll was high. He takes us right back to early days in Coonamble under the tutelage of his grandfather, legendary country trainer John Lundholm Snr. Clint reflects on the lessons learned from the elder Lundholm. He reflects on the stories he heard about his grandfather’s association with champion country jockey Dennis Firth. The trainer looks back on his first day as a professional jockey when he had five rides at a Nyngan meeting.Clint hasn’t forgotten the thrill of his first winning ride. He looks back on a three month loan out to Gai Waterhouse at Randwick. He recalls being gobsmacked by the enormity of the Tulloch Lodge operation. Unable to adapt to city life, Clint says he returned to the bush to finish his apprenticeship with a new boss. Lundholm understands why people are surprised to learn he was once a professional jockey. He pays tribute to the horse he regards as the best he rode in his short time in the saddle. Clint looks back on a very happy eighteen months in the amateur riding ranks. He remembers the commencement of his solo training career and his father’s decision to join the team. Clint was chuffed to join the ranks of trainers who were able to win with their very first starter. He’s not a regular in the city but is thrilled to have a couple of TAB Highway winners on the board. Clint is adamant that Listen To the Band is the best horse he’s trained to date. He talks of the talented but injury plagued Quasimoto who’ll shortly return to work. Clint says he had a lot of fun with ten time winner Any Blinkin’ Day. The trainer speaks of former metropolitan galloper Notabadidea who won a country Cups tre le after entering his stable. He acknowledges the support he’s had from a select group of prominent western districts jockeys with a special shout out to his partner Zoe Hunt who’s been in top form of late. This is a nice chat with a …year old who was destined to forge a career in the racing game.