Gallops, Horse Racing, John Tapp Racing, Racing History, Racing NSW, Sky Racing
John Tapp
1976 - A MELBOURNE CUP TO REMEMBER

There were 78,500 people at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day 1976. Those still living, hold indelible memories of their visit to the historic course on the day mother nature threw a tantrum.

1976 - A MELBOURNE CUP TO REMEMBER

Racing History

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GRAHAME BEGG’S TALE OF TWO CITIES

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GRAHAME BEGG’S TALE OF TWO CITIES

Grahame Begg’s stakes double on Saturday wasn’t unique in his thirty year career, but it was the first time he’d won black type races on the same day in two states.

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A TRIBUTE TO REG PAINE 1937-2022

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A TRIBUTE TO REG PAINE 1937-2022

Reg was born in Kempsey but spent his early teen years in Coffs Harbour. In 1953 he signed up as an apprentice jockey with Randwick trainer Bert Bellingham whose stables were in Bowral St.

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THE MONSTER STORM THAT ALMOST RUINED THE MELBOURNE CUP PARTY OF 1976

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THE MONSTER STORM THAT ALMOST RUINED THE MELBOURNE CUP PARTY OF 1976

There were 78,500 people at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day 1976. Those who are still living, carry indelible memories of their visit to the historic course on the day mother nature threw a tantrum.

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REFLECTIONS FROM INDIA LATE 1930’s COURTESY JOHN PIGGOTT

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REFLECTIONS FROM INDIA LATE 1930’s COURTESY JOHN PIGGOTT

This black and white image was presented to John at Edgar’s Avalon home in the late 1990’s. Edgar in fact removed the photo from his personal album. John says the snap was taken at either Bombay or Poona at the height of the racing season.

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A BOOK FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVE A GALLANT HORSE. “THE VO ROGUE SHOW” BY LYNLEA SMALL

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A BOOK FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVE A GALLANT HORSE. “THE VO ROGUE SHOW” BY LYNLEA SMALL

Authors have been writing books about the deeds of champion Australian racehorses for two centuries. None have attacked the task with more energy and purpose than Lynlea Small…

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BRUCE COX 1938-2022 - FAREWELL TO A FRIEND IN A MILLION

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BRUCE COX 1938-2022 - FAREWELL TO A FRIEND IN A MILLION

I was deeply saddened to learn of Bruce Cox’s passing last Friday evening at age 84. Bruce was my race day assistant. He painstakingly recorded the details of every race and answered phone calls from stewards, race club staff or the television and radio stations we were servicing on the day.

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IT WAS A DAY OF NOSTALGIA FOR RON QUINTON AT KEMBLA GRANGE

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IT WAS A DAY OF NOSTALGIA FOR RON QUINTON AT KEMBLA GRANGE

Ron Quinton is as sentimental as the next bloke when it comes to the important milestones in his long and distinguished career. The legendary horseman saddled up only one member of his twenty horse team on Saturday, and that was Miss Mya.

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A CHANCE MEETING WITH LESTER

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A CHANCE MEETING WITH LESTER

Those who had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Lester Piggott never forgot the occasion. The tall, gangly, poker faced horseman with the trademark mutter presented a countenance that gave little away.

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DANNY FRAHM 1946-2022 NSW COUNTRY RACING FAREWELLS A LEGEND.

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DANNY FRAHM 1946-2022 NSW COUNTRY RACING FAREWELLS A LEGEND.

Danny Frahm strolled through the Sky Channel car park hauling a king sized two wheeled suitcase. It was a Sunday morning in 2009…

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BOBBY LEWIS - THE LEGEND LIVES ON

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BOBBY LEWIS - THE LEGEND LIVES ON

George Moore told me in 2002 that his failure to win a Melbourne Cup in nineteen rides was of little concern to him. His wife Iris told me differently.

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THE WARWICK FARM WARRIORS!

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THE WARWICK FARM WARRIORS!

“Can you imagine the number of track gallops those blokes have ridden for Warwick Farm trainers over the years?” The question was posed by one of fifty guests at a recent Xmas gathering hosted by seafood restaurateur and racing devotee Mick Doyle.

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A TALE OF TWO THOMPSONS- THE LATTER PART OF A GREAT CAREER AND THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER

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A TALE OF TWO THOMPSONS- THE LATTER PART OF A GREAT CAREER AND THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER

Mark Bradley was kind enough to send me a photo he discovered recently in the Bradley Photographers archives. This is a precious piece of racing memorabilia from the Wyong jockeys room in 1973.

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VAIN - THE EXCITEMENT MACHINE

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VAIN - THE EXCITEMENT MACHINE

When Graham McNeice stumbles upon a piece of priceless racing footage, his reaction is something akin to that of Howard Carter when the British archaeologist found the entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun. “Shadow” came across some rarely seen black and white footage of Vain’s three Sydney race starts in 1969.