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
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THE TWO YEAR OLD PUZZLE BEGINS

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THE TWO YEAR OLD PUZZLE BEGINS

This is the time of year when exciting two year olds start popping up like mushrooms after rain. It’s been head spinning stuff these past six weeks, trying to get a handle on several promising juveniles who’ve recorded brilliant wins in NSW and Victoria.

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RIDE OF THE DAY TO PORT MACQUARIE’S PETER GRAHAM

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RIDE OF THE DAY TO PORT MACQUARIE’S PETER GRAHAM

At a rough estimate, about 140 races were run across the nation on Saturday. It’s possible the best ride of the day was produced by veteran Peter Graham, who landed a winning double at Tuncurry Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast.

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GREG EURELL HOPES MATURITY WILL MAKE A HORSE OF O’TAUTO

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GREG EURELL HOPES MATURITY WILL MAKE A HORSE OF O’TAUTO

Many of us watch an endless flow of races from all parts of Australia, the majority of which do little to get you on the edge of your seat. Once in a while you spot a performance that sends you scurrying to the replay button. 

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ONE OF RACING’S GREATEST PARTNERSHIPS COMES TO AN END

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ONE OF RACING’S GREATEST PARTNERSHIPS COMES TO AN END

Billy Prain struggled with mixed emotions as he walked off Warwick Farm racecourse on Wednesday November 28th - his last day as a trainer. He’s been saying for a long time, that he’d retire when his valued owner and friend Fred Peisah decided to call it quits.

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

There’s a maiden galloper racing in Sydney currently, whose name rings a giant bell for me.

He’s called Triplicate, a logical name for the son of a mare called Tripled, a non winning daughter of General Nediym.

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NOBLE BOY MAKES A STATEMENT AT THE ‘HILL

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NOBLE BOY MAKES A STATEMENT AT THE ‘HILL

A couple of astute judges came away from the Albury meeting on October 27th, convinced they’d seen a pretty promising four year old in action. The horse in question was a big, raw chestnut gelding by the name of Noble Boy, who made very short work of thirteen others in an 1175m Maiden.

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STONY BAY- DUAL GROUP I WINNER AT 3. ONE LAST PARADE AT 26

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STONY BAY- DUAL GROUP I WINNER AT 3. ONE LAST PARADE AT 26

Received an email during the week from popular owner Eddy Boas, who wishes to share the most touching horse story in recent memory. I’m sure you’ll remember Eddy’s hardy campaigner Stony Bay, and like me you’ll be surprised to learn that nineteen years have passed, since the tough gelding was retired.

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FROM THE SHEARING SHED TO ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST RESPECTED TRAINERS

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FROM THE SHEARING SHED TO ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST RESPECTED TRAINERS

While James Cummings, Darren Weir and Chris Waller were basking in Group 1 glory at Flemington on Saturday, veteran trainer Keith Dryden was alone with his thoughts at his Canberra stables.

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A GOOD SOLDIER NEVER LOOKS BEHIND

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A GOOD SOLDIER NEVER LOOKS BEHIND

Ray Warren and I were very honoured to be invited to “open the bar”, at the grand opening of the new Tourmaline Hotel on Windsor Rd at Vineyard in 1972. The pub was the culmination of a joint business venture between horse trainer Tom Sewell, and his partner Jack Jones, and was constructed on part of Tom’s twenty acre training property.

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THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE

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THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE

I didn’t expect John Shelton to answer his phone just before 8 am on Sunday morning (Oct 14th). When you’ve trained the winner of the inaugural Kosciuszko, and revelled in the post-race celebration into the wee hours, you’re entitled to be catching up on much needed sleep.