Sky Racing

Episode 451: Tappy chats with Hugh Bowman

Episode 451:  Tappy chats with Hugh Bowman

Hugh Bowman wasn’t where I expected him to be when we finally pinned him down for this interview. When I spoke to him a few days earlier he was still in Hong Kong undergoing physiotherapy… (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 450: Tappy chats with Sara Ryan

Episode 450:  Tappy chats with Sara Ryan

With a team rarely exceeding twenty five horses Sara Ryan is able to do things a little differently to the bigger stables. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 448: Tappy chats with Todd Howlett

Episode 448:  Tappy chats with Todd Howlett

Some trainers enjoy the bustling environment of a city stable. Others wouldn’t leave their country bases for a Godolphin contract. One of the latter group is Todd Howlett…

Episode 446: Tappy chats with Betty Lane Holland OAM

Episode 446:  Tappy chats with Betty Lane Holland OAM

The Australian Turf Club moved swiftly to honour Betty Lane Holland following the passing of the trailblazing horse trainer on October 22nd at the remarkable age of 97.

Episode 445: Tappy chats with Brian Fletcher - His life in Racing and Rugby League

Episode 445:  Tappy chats with Brian Fletcher - His life in Racing and Rugby League

Caught up with Brian Fletcher at the recent Beauford Club luncheon at Newcastle where he was a guest speaker. His tales of the turf and stories from the Panthers camp kept the crowd entertained.

Episode 444: Tappy chats with Tyler Schiller

Episode 444:  Tappy chats with Tyler Schiller

Tyler Schiller was always destined to make it to the ranks of Sydney’s top jockeys. After a flying start in the Riverina he was fortunate to gain a start in Sydney with Mark Newnham.

Episode 443: Tappy chats with Robyn Freeman

Episode 443:  Tappy chats with Robyn Freeman

I’ve long admired Robyn Freeman’s dedication to the craft she loves. She’s one of few female riders still active from the dedicated group who were flying the flag in the 1990’s. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 442: Tappy chats with Robert Price

Episode 442:  Tappy chats with Robert Price

For the first few years of their training partnership Robert and Luke Price worked individually - Robert at Turpentine Park, a spelling and pre-training property at Cambewarra while Luke was based at the partnership’s Kembla stables. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 441: Tappy chats with Hilton Cope

Episode 441:  Tappy chats with Hilton Cope

It was the mid 1970’s and Hilton was on a flight from Dublin to Sydney after completing a three year stint with Irish trainer John Oxx. He turned to wife Marilyn and calmly announced that his riding days were over. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 440: Tappy chats with John Powell

Episode 440:  Tappy chats with John Powell

John Powell was at a loose end when he returned to Australia in 2021 after calling time on his long riding career in Singapore. It wasn’t long before Racing NSW enlisted his services as a mentor for northern NSW jockeys. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 439: Tappy chats with Wayne Collison and Kylie Kennedy

Episode 439:  Tappy chats with Wayne Collison and Kylie Kennedy

Wayne Collison and Kylie Kennedy happen to be father and daughter but choose to operate individually from their stables in the idyllic township of Narromine 40 kms from Dubbo. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS.)

Episode 438: Tappy chats with Michael Travers

Episode 438:  Tappy chats with Michael Travers

Michael Travers joined an exclusive club in 2021 when he became one of a handful of NSW jockeys to acquire a dual trainer/jockey’s licence. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 437: Tappy chats with John Wallace

Episode 437:  Tappy chats with John Wallace

It was great to catch up with John Wallace recently for the first time in several years. The veteran trainer has a great passion for the racing game, and it shows in his all too rare interviews. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 436: Tappy chats with Darryl McLean

Episode 436:  Tappy chats with Darryl McLean

NSW southern districts racing lost a loyal and dedicated servant recently when Darryl McLean called time on his 48 year career as a member of the SDRA Stewards panel. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 435: Tappy chats with Brock Ryan

Episode 435:  Tappy chats with Brock Ryan

Great to catch up with a young jockey who’s endured the lion’s share of bad luck but keeps bouncing back into the winner’s circle. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 434: Tappy chats with Leon Macdonald

Episode 434:  Tappy chats with Leon Macdonald

Everybody wanted a piece of champion trainer Leon Macdonald when he saddled his final runners at Morphettville on July 29th, and we were on the list. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 433: Tappy chats with Ethan Brown

Episode 433:  Tappy chats with Ethan Brown

The Australian racing industry continues to come to terms with the death of Dean Holland in a race fall at Donald in April. Ethan Brown, Jamie Kah, Craig Williams, and Blaike McDougall were all sidelined with serious injuries on either side of the Donald tragedy. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)

Episode 432: Tappy chats with Stephen Traecey

Episode 432:  Tappy chats with Stephen Traecey

Stephen Traecey recently told family and friends he’s unlikely to ride in races again, but most didn’t believe him. The remarkable 67 year old last rode in a race at Coffs Harbour in June. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS)