THE RACING VAULT
THE RACING VAULT
Few people have witnessed more racing history than John Tapp. Across decades behind the microphone, he called the greats home and saw the sport’s most iconic moments unfold. The Racing Vault is his personal archive, a place where John shares the stories, horses, and heroes that shaped Australian racing.
BILLY HILL’S FAREWELL
This one was taken in a little restaurant called Backstage in George St, Sydney in 1980. The occasion was a farewell dinner to legendary Newcastle race caller Billy Hill (centre in brown jacket) who had just announced his retirement.
Domestic airline TAA sponsored a race callers day in the early seventies
This one was snapped by Ron Bickley at a Newcastle meeting in the early seventies. Domestic airline TAA sponsored a race callers day and commentators were flown in from all parts of Australia.
LONDON TO A BRICK
This one was snapped at a Parramatta Hotel in 1994. A large group of race callers assembled for the official launch of a new book called “London to a brick on” - a salute to Australian race calling.
RACE CALLERS DAY
There were more commentators than horses at this race callers day, hosted by the Coff’s Harbour Race Club, in the mid-nineties. We all responded to an early “muster” at the Pelican Beach Resort for a casual photo, following a pretty heavy night.