John Tapp Racing

If you’ll pardon my self indulgence I’d like to present once more a tribute to an amazing mare. To older racing fans she needs no introduction. To younger generations her story is well worth a listen. Consider this. A total of 28 starts for 16 wins and seven placings. All but two of those runs were at black type level as it’s known today. Nine of her wins were in races today classified as Gr 1’s. Regarded by many as a specialist sprinter, she managed to win three times at a mile, and one of those was a three length demolition job on her rivals in the 1970 Caulfield Guineas. When this girl was “on song” she meant business. In fact fourteen of her sixteen wins were by emphatic margins. It took a topliner called Tauto to run her to a half head down the Flemington straight in the Craven A Stakes on Derby day 1970.  Perhaps the truest reflection of her great ability came at her final start in the 1972 Newmarket Hcp, when she was asked to set a weight carrying record of 60.5 kgs for a mare- 5.5 kgs over weight-for-age. She went under by only half a length to the Cummings trained Crown to whom she conceded a whopping 8 kgs. I was inspired to put this podcast together over five years ago when Melbourne historian Dennis Najim sent me wonderful old recordings of some of Dual Choice’s finest moments. You’ll hear the admiration in the voices of race callers Bert Bryant and John Russell. A very famous trainer was in the broadcast box when Bert called the first of Dual Choice’s two Oakleigh Plates in 1971. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Norm Gillham, and Geelong trainer Ken White enjoyed a fantastic journey with the mare they called “Julie.”       In this podcast:  A mare to remember — Why Dual Choice deserves a place among Australia's finest racehorses. An extraordinary racing record — Sixteen wins, seven placings and a career spent almost exclusively in elite company. The 1970 Caulfield Guineas — Her devastating three-length victory over a mile. A memorable Flemington battle — The outstanding Tauto pushes Dual Choice to within half a head in the Craven A Stakes. The 1972 Newmarket Handicap — A remarkable final performance under 60.5 kilograms, conceding eight kilograms to the winner Crown. The voices of racing's past — Rare recordings featuring legendary race callers Bert Bryant and John Russell. A special Oakleigh Plate moment — A famous trainer joins Bert Bryant in the broadcast box for Dual Choice's 1971 victory. The people behind the champion — Geelong trainer Ken White, owners Mr and Mrs Norm Gillham, and their much-loved mare "Julie".

I see Bob from time to time and always enjoy the stories of his riding and training careers. He’s been on this podcast before but not for several years, and it’s high time we checked him out. Bobby taught himself to ride before becoming apprenticed to Tommy Smith. He stayed on with Smith for 17 years after quitting the saddle but unexpected circumstances led him to his own training career. When Bob retired in 2012 he boasted 29 Gr 1 wins provided by some wonderful horses he’d had the privilege to train. The 83 year old is fit and well, and continues to enjoy his long time passion for both golf and vintage cars. Bobby’s on the podcast with some great reminiscences. He begins by talking about his regular trips to the golf course where a regular partner is a former star jockey. Bob speaks of life on the Hills District  property where he and wife Kim provide refuge for horses bereft of suitable accommodation. He takes us back to childhood days and the little Oatley riding school where his love of horses began. Bob remembers his apprenticeship to Tommy Smith in late 1957. He says the maestro himself was his first tutor. The former trainer recalls the only barrier trial he was required to contest before gaining his licence to ride in races. Tommy Smith provided a pretty handy horse for Bob to ride in that important trial. He passed with flying colours. He recalls his first winning ride and looks back on some very smart horses he got to ride during a brief career as a jockey. Tommy Smith rarely sent horses to country meetings. Bob remembers one of those rare occasions in 1966 when the boss sent him to Kempsey to ride a very good horse in the local Cup. Despite a crushing weight Count Radiant scraped home in a desperately close finish. Bob talks about two legendary photos that pop up from time to time.  Both show a very young R.Thomsen riding iconic horses in afternoon exercise. He says he stayed on with T.J Smith for seventeen years after quitting the saddle. That arrangement ended in a most unexpected way. Bob looks bacon on his very humble beginning as a trainer in his own right. He has a good story about his first city win with a horse purchased from another stable. The jockey was the legendary Jack Thompson who supported Bob generously in his early years as a trainer. He has fond recollections of one notable horse to help kick start his career- a horse with a very curious pedigree. Bob explains. You can detect the admiration in Bob’s voice as he looks back on his wonderful run with the giant staying mare Bianco Lady. He loved the daughter of Rangong. You’ll enjoy the former top trainer’s reflections on some of the wonderful horses he got to train with special tributes to Danewin, Shogun Lodge and Slight Chance. Bob says he got to guide the careers o several talented apprentices during his years as a Randwick trainer. He had associations with several of Australia’s best jockeys but pays special tribute to Shane Dye with whom he had an impressive Gr 1 partnership.  Thomsen talks of the unpleasant encounter he had with officialdom in 2012- an event that hastened his retirement from the Sydney training ranks. He wouldn’t let the opportunity pass to pay tribute to the man who became his trusted foreman and best mate. Bob says Bill Davenport was as valuable to his operation as six Gr 1 horses. Bob talks of his longtime passion for vintage cars, a hobby he continues to enjoy.  This is a lovely trip down memory lane with a little bloke from Banksia who graduated from an Oatley riding school to racing’s biggest stage

Emotional scenes followed Kingswood’s super staying performance to win the Caulfield Cup. Trainer Gavin Bedggood brushed aside the tears to give credit to jockey John Allen and his dedicated Cranbourne staff. Special praise went to his fiancee and staunchest supporter Karen Flaherty. Gavin’s earliest ambition was to become a professional jockey and he actually gained an apprenticeship with Robbie Griffiths, but increasing weight soon put an end to his dream. He did the next best thing and rode for two years on the amateur circuit. This led him to a twelve year stint as a jumps jockey during which time he won a number of important races and got to ride three special horses.  Gavin battled to get his head around the fact that his success in one of Australia’s most famous races came just six years after his first professional training win at the Alexandra picnics. It’s a pleasure to welcome “Gr 1 Gav” to our podcast. He says he was pretty worried in the early stages at Caulfield when it was obvious Kingswood was three wide for the trip. He talks about Kingswood’s three race campaign in NZ over Xmas/New Year. Gavin says the import has been in top form this preparation but felt the firm ground in the Might And Power Stakes. The trainer says October 17th was good for the stable overall. Three other runners in Sydney and Melbourne got into the placings. He looks back on childhood days and the origins of his passion for racing. Gavin talks of his apprenticeship to Robbie Griffiths. He knew very early that his aspirations to become a professional “flat” jockey would be thwarted by increasing weight. He looks back on a rewarding two years as an amateur jockey, and his transition to jumps racing. He spent 12 years in that role during which time he won several major events and got to ride three special horses. Gavin talks of a short experiment as a jockey agent. He remembers his first win as a solo trainer with a horse gifted to him by the late Robbie Laing. The 40 year old pays special tribute to Just Folk, the online purchase destined to take him to stakes success. He continues to marvel at the ten year old’s attitude to racing. Gavin looks back on the stroke of good fortune that brought Mornington Glory into his life- the horse to take him to the elite level with a brilliant Moir Stakes win in 2024. Bedggood makes mention of a mare called No Effort- a quirky girl whose temperament was far from pleasant. He was able to win a Traralgon Cup and a Caulfield stakes race with the mare who carried the leopard print colours. Gavin gives a special shoutout to his dedicated stable staff with special mention of fiancee and staunchest supporter Karen Flaherty. The trainer says he can get a little testy when the pressure’s on but the staff have learned to work around him. He speaks with reverence of the famous Cranbourne training precinct. A laid back chat with a horseman who’s come a long way in a short time. 

It’s always a delight to welcome country horse people to the podcast and this week we go to the NSW mid north coast. We introduce a great all round horseman from idyllic Wauchope, a pretty little town of 6,500 on the Hastings River just under 20km from Port Macquarie. Colt Prosser grew up in the town and learned about horses from parents Grant and Debbie Prosser. Debbie was a very successful trainer, and Grant one of the most respected farriers in the state. Colt gained experience under two astute outside trainers before going solo in 2010. More than 300 winners later he’s firmly ensconced as one of the best bush trainers in NSW. He begins by talking about Bjorn Ironside, one of his recent winners at Port Macquarie.  He says the October 10 meeting was a great day out for the whole family. Colt speaks highly of Bjorn Ironside’s rider Luke Rolls who’s just back from injury. The trainer takes us back to the altercation he had last year with a runaway Angus cow. He came off second best in the unlikely collision. He says the legacy of that accident has precluded him from trackwork duties.  Many are curious about the trainer’s unusual christian name. Colt sets us right. Colt sings the praises of mum Debbie who made her mark as a trainer on the northern rivers. She’s still a valued member of the team. He says Debbie was the natural choice for the role of Secretary of the Wauchope Jockey Club.  Colt talks of Grant’s skills as a farrier and remembers the esteem in which he was held by local trainers. The 43 year old says he learned the art himself as a youngster. He continues to shoe most of his own horses.  He reflects on a further five year stint with the now retired Brian Guy on the Gold Coast. He had one special favourite among the many talented horses in the Guy stable. Colt says he’s the only trainer to use the facilities at the Wauchope racecourse where his father is the track curator. He explains that the Wauchope Jockey Club conducts only a handful of meetings each year and is restricted to no more than eight horse fields. He talks of the benefits of his recently acquired stable treadmill and expresses his gratitude to a handful of jockeys who’ve supported him with trackwork duties for more than a decade. Colt talks of his modest venture into the breeding side of the business with special mention of his one and only resident stallion. He takes us back to his very first training win at Armidale in 2010. There was great sentiment attached. Colt takes us through his four TAB Highway wins to date. One of the horses won two editions.   He looks back on his only Country Championship Final experience so far with a highly nervous mare. He says the best of Little Prophet was never seen. The trainer acknowledges the talents of Dis Is Heaven, a horse he could easily have “sacked” early days. He’s very pleased he didn’t. Colt gives a shout out to the ever consistent Prince Mayted. The genuine gelding won 9 races with 22 placings thrown in. He’s still on the Prosser farm.   He talks of Casino Sweep, a horse he purchased at the Patinack Farm dispersal sale. He says this horse had more raw ability than any other horse he’s trained. Colt says he’s always endeavoured to provide race rides for the jockeys who’ve supported him with trackwork input. He delivers the appropriate tribute to wife Tarsha and the three great Prosser kids. One of the trio is already hooked on horses. Nice yarn with a popular bush horseman.   

When Simon Marshall was booting home Gr 1 winners at the rate of knots he was lauded by experts as one of Australia’s best jockeys. Behind the scenes he was jeopardising his health to stay in the game he loved. Simon’s worst fears were realised in the Caulfield jockey’s room one day in 1997 when he collapsed following a long session in the sauna. He heeded the advice of specialists and retired immediately. Over the next five years he made his mark in racing media but the urge to give race riding one more shot never left him. He discusses that comeback and many other aspects of a fascinating career on this week’s podcast. He tells the story in his usual entertaining style beginning with a summary of his current involvement in three popular Racing.com programmes. Simon talks about his long time ambassadorial role with Sportsbet. The former ace jockey talks about parents Len and Gael and siblings Grant and Trent. He looks back on his father’s successful riding career with special emphasis on 1977 Golden Slipper runner-up Lloyd Boy.  Simon mentions a few more of Len’s favourite horses and talks about the veteran’s ability as a maintenance man.  He says Len later became a trainer at Cranbourne and was the obvious choice to sign him up as an apprentice. He greatly valued his dad’s tutorship.  Marshall looks back on his first win, first metro success and the magical experience of his first Gr 1 win at just 16 years of age. The former brilliant jockey added another 14 Gr 1’s to his tally before quitting for good in 2005. He looks back on some wonderful horses with special mention of his all time favourite Durbridge. Simon speaks with great reverence of the dashing sprinter Hareeba. He says the gelding’s win in the Gr 1 Australia Stakes  was off the charts. To this day Simon rues a lost opportunity on Better Loosen Up in the 1992 W.S Cox Plate. He acknowledges the talents of several other topliners he was privileged to ride. The former top jockey looks back on his torturous battle with weight He reflects on the blackout he suffered in the Caulfield jockey’s room in 1997. He knew he’d come to the end of his riding career- at least for the time being. Simon looks back on his association with triple world boxing champion Jeff Fenech who helped him with a change of routine. Was that before the first retirement. Fast forward to 2002. Simon had been away from racing for five years but the bug hadn’t left him. With the help of a biochemist he dropped dramatically in weight and made a brief comeback. He still had the magic touch. The 55 year old says he received a lot of support from Melbourne racing media following his permanent retirement in 2005. He became a favourite with punters on radio and television. He fondly recalls a long association with the Seven Network which led him to a spot on the equestrian commentary team at the Beijing Olympics. He fondly recalls his association with Bruce McAvaney and the team on several Ch 7 Melbourne Cup broadcasts.  He talks about another role away from the media. Simon tells us more about his tutorship of three very high profile jockeys.  He rounds off our podcast with a special shoutout to son Ethan, daughter Shugar Bella and partner Marie. This is Simon Marshall at his witty and humorous best.