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.
Cecil 'Skeeter' Kelly, 1957
From the Bradley Photographers archives we’ve stumbled upon this gem of Cecil “Skeeter” Kelly, a legendary NSW bush jockey of the 1950’s and 60’s.
SUNLINE HEADING BACK TO SCALE AFTER THE 1997 DONCASTER
It was a proud and excited Trevor McKee who joined Thayne Green and Helen Lusty to lead their wonder mare Sunline back to scale after the 1997 Doncaster.
A 1960’s PHOTO OF A YOUNG HORSEMAN DESTINED TO BECOME A LEADING TRAINER
How many racing fans will recognize this 1960’s photo of a young horseman destined to become a leading Sydney trainer?
Mark Bradley of Bradley Photos uncovered this snap of a very young Paul Sutherland, during his fleeting career as an apprentice jockey.
LES BRIDGE & JACK THOMPSON AT WYONG, 1972
Mark Bradley has come up with another classic flashback from a Wyong race meeting in 1972. A very youthful Les Bridge at 27 years of age with veteran jockey Jack Thompson who was 50.
WINNERS CIRCLE AT RANDWICK ON BOXING DAY 1967
Mark Bradley sent me another classic piece of racing memorabilia. This one was snapped in the winner’s circle at Randwick on Boxing Day of 1967.
OPENING OF GOULBURN RACECOURSE, 1949
Mark Bradley of Bradley Photographers sent me this priceless piece of country racing history. This photo was snapped almost 70 years ago, and features George Moore on one of his rare bush excursions.
A TRIBUTE TO MIKE WILLESEE
Ever alert photographer Steve Hart captured Mike Willesee at Randwick at the height of the TV icon’s involvement in thoroughbred ownership and breeding.
TJ and Harry catching up at Flemington
Steve Hart caught these two champions together one Derby day at Flemington in the mid 1980’s.
Tommy Smith and Harry White look to be watching the pre race parade, but it’s highly unlikely Harry was riding one for the Sydney maestro.
EL GORDO SPOOKS AT SOMEBODY IN THE CROWD
Here’s an oldie! Fifty two years old to be precise. El Gordo spooks at somebody in the 45,000 strong crowd at Randwick as he returns to scale after winning the 1966 AJC Derby.
DARREN BEADMAN'S THIS IS YOUR LIFE
I was honoured to be a guest on Darren Beadman’s “This Is Your Life” tribute in late 1997.
The great jockey stunned the racing world in July of that year when he announced his intention to quit racing to become a minister of religion.
VO ROGUE WAS A HORSE IN A MILLION
Steve Hart was on deck to snap Vo Rogue with connections and officials , after the great horse had led all the way to win the George Main Stakes at Randwick 23/9/89 - his only Sydney win in eight attempts.
PETER COOK & KEVIN LANGBY
I can’t recall a Sydney Jockeys Premiership attracting more media attention than the 1972/73 edition. Peter Cook led Kevin Langby by 1.5 wins coming into the final day and had great crowd support.
THE DAY HOLLYWOOD CAME TO ROSEHILL
Steve Hart swung into action when one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars made an impromptu appearance at Rosehill in the mid 90’s.
FORESIGHT ON THE SHORES OF BOTANY BAY
These old “rippers” were snapped almost fifty years ago at La Perouse, where dozens of Randwick trained horses were taken for a swim, in an endeavour to give them a break from the tedium of stable life.
TULLOCH IN HIS TWO YEAR OLD DAYS
Here is the champion Tulloch, moments after completing a track gallop during his two year old days. The rider is Arthur Ward and the strapper is Neville Johnson, a valued member of Tommy Smith’s staff in that era.
A WARD & REDCRAZE BRISBANE CUP 1956
I was delighted to meet Nicole Ward at Ascot (WA) on Railway Stakes day. Nicole is the granddaughter of former champion jockey Arthur Ward, who died five years ago at the remarkable age of 94.
JOHN MARSHALL & PAT MURRAY
Steve Hart sent me this nostalgic snap of Johnny Marshall, and trainer Pat Murray from the mid 1970’s. John was a shy teenager when he arrived from Perth to be apprenticed to the genial Randwick trainer.
KEN RUSSELL
Here’s one to tug the heartstrings. A lovely photo of the late Ken Russell with his devoted wife Carol around 1992. The couple had just returned from Dubai where Ken and Michael Clarke had represented Australia in a world jockey challenge.
GOLDEN SLIPPER 1989
Larry Olsen sent me this photo recently, especially for our Friday Flashback segment.
It was snapped on Golden Slipper day 1989, the year after Larry had won the big race on Star Watch.
AVIAN DERBY SCORING A COMFORTABLE WIN!
This photo was taken by the late Gene Lett, official photographer for many years, at the defunct Harold Park Paceway. Gene’s photo captures Avian Derby scoring a comfortable win in the 1952 Inter Dominion Grand Final - the first series ever held in Sydney.