John Tapp Racing

With his team of gallopers now in single digits, Terry Robinson has few city runners these days. It seems like yesterday when he and a handful of fellow trainers were dominating the TAB Highway races on Sydney tracks. So great was Terry’s win rate in the first few years that he still occupies fourth place on the Highway trainer’s table with 21 wins. Prior to turning his hand full time to the training of thoroughbreds, T.JRobinson was one of the most respected drivers at the regular Friday night meetings at the now defunct Harold Park Paceway. His late father Kevin Robinson had also excelled as a dual code trainer over a long period of years. Terry was in the winner’s circle again recently when $51.00 “pop” Tai Lung greeted the judge in a midweek race at Warwick Farm. I gave him a call to offer congratulations and you could have knocked me over with a feather when he hinted at retirement. I couldn’t get him on the podcast quickly enough. Terry talks about his Warwick Farm winner and says Tai Lung is a high maintenance horse. He talks about the inevitable scaling down of his Shoalhaven Heads training operation. Terry pays tribute to the talents of his late father Kevin Robinson. He says lessons learned from his dad have served him well in his own long career. The Robinson family have become famous for their ability to win races with unsound horses. Terry says the use of Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa has been their “ace card” over many years with both standardbreds and thoroughbreds.   Terry takes us back to his golden days at the trots and the wonderful horses he got to drive, with special mention of champions like Gammalite and Koala King. He talks of Black Line- a freakishly talented young pacer who looked destined for stardom until a complicated spinal issue impeded his progress. Terry talks of the special horses who’ve helped him to establish his reputation among thoroughbred trainers. He pays tribute to his favourite Art Cadeau, the late bloomer who finished up becoming the only horse to complete the Country Championship/Kosciuszko double. The respected trainer talks of some of the horses who’ve helped him win 21 TAB Highways since the inception of the series in 2015. Terry’s reputation as a work rider is well known. His long time involvement hasn’t been without its setbacks. He remembers two monumental “busters”- one at the Nowra racecourse, the other on Seven Mile Beach. It’s well documented that Terry was one of twelve children. He hasn’t been able to emulate the deeds of his late father, but has posted a respectable score of six in the fatherhood stakes- four from his first marriage and another two with second wife Monique. He talks about the 12 acre property at Shoalhaven Heads which has served as his training base for many years. His wife Monique runs a very successful beach and trail ride business from the same property. Monique looks after 18 saddle horses. Her former involvement as a trainer and work rider have given her a thorough understanding of the tough grind of professional horse training.   

It’s been a pleasure to welcome a sequence of popular country trainers to the podcast lately and we’re going “bush” again in our first interview for 2026.  Our guest is respected horseman Paddy Cunningham who’s currently the only trainer based at the Glen Innes racecourse in the NSW New England district. He and wife Kathy achieve consistent results with a team of just twelve horses, and are happy to travel long distances to find the right races for them. Paddy Cunningham put together a tidy record as a race rider before ongoing weight problems saw him transition to the training ranks. After two lengthy stints at Grafton and another at Caloundra, Cunningham returned to his native Glen Innes in 2016  and you’d need the army to shift him again. Paddy talks about the well appointed property he and Kathy share close to the Glen Innes track. He looks back on his early days at Ben Lomond, a unique little village situated so far above sea level that snow isn’t uncommon in the winter months. Paddy talks of his parents and siblings and the little pony that first introduced him to the sensation of speed on horseback. He looks back on the circumstances that led him to an apprenticeship with local trainer Hunter Kilner and the unforgettable thrill of his very first day of race riding at an Inverell meeting. He made a spectacular start. Paddy talks of consecutive Armidale Cup wins very early in his career.  The jockey turned trainer says he quickly tired of continual wasting and ventured to the Northern Territory in search of a complete change of environment. He found employment at the famous Wave Hill station. Paddy talks of his return to Glen Innes after a two year sabbatical and a resumption of trackwork duties for his old boss Hunter Kilner. He talks of the mare who regenerated his interest and motivated his return to race riding. The same mare would later provide his first winning ride at Royal Randwick. Paddy says he couldn’t believe his luck when another winner came along at Canterbury the very next day. Two weeks later the same horse was involved in a spectacular fall at Canterbury. Paddy was lucky to escape serious injury. He remembers a wild ride he had on a Grafton Cup day in the 1970’s. Despite doing everything wrong the horse in question was able to score an amazing win. Paddy talks about “the one that got away”. He regarded a horse called Final Say as the  best he’d ever ridden and was bitterly disappointed when the gelding went amiss. He says unstable weight eventually hastened his retirement from race riding but has never regretted his brief but exciting few years in the saddle. Paddy unhesitatingly nominated the  country jockey who inspired him the most. He looks back on the low key beginning to his training career. Surprisingly he can’t remember his first win as a solo trainer.  Cunningham talks of his training career to date- two stints at Grafton and a decade on the Sunshine Coast. His move to Caloundra coincided with daughter Kylie’s decision to become an apprentice jockey. Paddy says he often travelled to faraway Queensland destinations in search of the right races for his horses. He looks back on a return to Grafton in 2010. The winners flowed over a six year stint but he decided on yet another move when synthetic training tracks came to Grafton. He’s pretty vocal in his opposition to them. Paddy elaborates on the talents of several nice horses who helped to forge his reputation as a very serious horse trainer. He talks of Jodi Worley who rode work for the stable for close to five years before deciding to become a jockey. Paddy signed her up and the young rider got away to a spectacular start. Paddy has always been one to support the jockeys who’ve supported him. He makes mention of a few special favourites. Paddy pays tribute to best mate and devoted supporter wife Kathy whose behind-the-scenes work for Cunningham Racing has been unwavering.  He and Kathy are the proud parents of four daughters. He brings us up to date on the whereabouts and current activities of the girls. This is a laid back chat with a dedicated country horseman who can’t imagine a life away from horses.

Great to chat with a man who co-founded Hyperion Thoroughbreds, one of the very earliest racehorse syndication companies in Australia. We find out what Allan’s been doing since a crippling recession brought Hyperion’s operation to a halt in 1990. Allan takes us back to his childhood in Gravesend near Warialda when radio was a way of life to country people. He fell in love with the theatre of racing, the day he listened to the broadcast of the 1956 Melbourne Cup. He talks of school days in Inverell and his first job at the Valuer General’s Department in Sydney. A job transfer to Moree led him to a friendship with Terry Mulhall, destined to become his business partner in later years. Allan reflects on the creation of Hyperion Thoroughbreds and the concept of forming larger syndicates than those offered by predecessors. He recalls the creation of the famous black and pink silks which signalled the emerging popularity of syndication. He reflects on the tough guidelines introduced by the Corporate Affairs Commission in the 1970’s. Allan looks back on the extensive methods of communication necessary to keep hundreds of owners informed about their horses. He acknowledges some of the better horses to keep the Hyperion banner flying, beginning with the cheap Dubbo sale graduate Prince Clarendon. Allan pays a special tribute to the evergreen Targlish, almost certainly the best horse to represent the company. The remarkable gelding raced 109 times for 17 wins and 31 placings. He reflects on the ground breaking idea of purchasing a horse to race in America for Australian owners. He pays tribute to So Vague who won 5 races in the USA before being brought to Australia. He later won stakes races in Melbourne for Colin Hayes. Allan acknowledges the devotion of some special trainers who gave great service to Hyperion Thoroughbreds. He pays a special tribute to the veteran jockey who rode many winners in the Hyperion colours and frequently helped out behind the scenes. Allan reflects on the inevitable winding down of the 16 year old company when the recession started to bite. Hyperion was one of hundreds of businesses to be brought to their knees. The last of the horses were placed according to the wishes of their owners, and a great era had come to an end. It was a tough day for old mates Gainey and Mulhall.

It’s always a pleasure to talk to a dedicated bush trainer from any part of the nation. This week we go to the busy training hub at Dubbo and to one of its most respected participants. Dar (that’s his official christian name) was one of a family of jockeys from the tiny village of Carinda in the Walgett Shire. He spent more than 35 years as a respected member of the western riding ranks before having to quit following a serious kick from a nervous young horse. Dar has been training for some 14 years from a Dubbo base and has  no intention of trying any other job. Right off the top he appeases the curiosity about his first name. Dar talks about his infrequent trips to town and says it takes a pretty handy horse to warrant a  crack at the city slickers.  He made a rare appearance at Randwick on Saturday where his two runners were out of a place, Saint  Philomena and Elson Boy who had a pretty tough run. Dar says he travelled the horses to Sydney the day before in heatwave conditions. He talks about a horse called Green Run who might earn a trip to the big smoke in the near future. The horse’s regular rider is out of action following a freak mounting yard accident recently. Dar talks about his birthplace of Carinda which boasted a population of 200 during his childhood.  The Dubbo based trainer reflects on the riding activities of four brothers. Dar looks back on school days in Carinda and a move to Walgett as he reached a higher grade.This was when his association with thoroughbreds began under the tutelage of a veteran trainer. He makes the frank confession that he wasn’t licensed at the time of his first few race rides. He looks back on his first legitimate race ride and his first winner  way out west at Bourke. Dar says he wasn’t dedicated to looking after his weight early days, but mended his ways soon after. He talks of the shortage of race meetings in the west and the distances he had to travel to carve out a livelihood as a bush jockey. Dar says he rarely rode on metropolitan tracks, but recalls one exciting win at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. He says he could count his Sydney rides on one hand but reflects on a two year old race at Rosehill when he ran into a rising topliner. The 64 year old remembers his final winning ride on the spacious Warren track on a horse trained by brother Garry. Dar talks about the freakish accident that ended his riding career. The experienced horseman takes us through the Elson Boy story- the unraced horse identified on line by one of his most supportive owners. Dar admits he made a few mistakes before working the gelding out. He takes us through some exciting wins and one heartbreaking setback. Dar looks back on a horse he felt was going places before going amiss. He looks back on a great association with a western trainer who was destined to become his father-in-law. This was Dar’s cue to acknowledge the unwavering support of Jill, his wife of 39 years. He and Jill are the proud parents of daughters Brianna and Layne. Brianna has in turn presented her parents with three grandchildren- all girls. Dar speaks candidly of the sudden stroke that stopped him in his tracks just over two years ago. He hated the inactivity of his recovery but opted to do everything the doctors ordered. Dar Lunn has earned the respect of all in NSW country racing. It’s a pleasure to have him on the podcast.

Ray Thomas’ recent decision to quit his high pressure role triggered a flood of tributes for the hugely popular media identity. Ray’s many fans were pleased to learn he’ll still be appearing on Sky Thoroughbred Central programmes “This Week Next Week” and “News Central” and intends to continue his long time hosting role on the Sunday morning edition of Sky Racing Radio’s “Big Sports Breakfast”. Ray’s passion for multiple sports was evident from an early age, but horse racing  prevailed when it was time for the aspiring journalist to settle on a career path. That career has been well documented, but I’d like to add my tribute to the many he’s already received from colleagues and followers. He’s our podcast guest this week. Ray begins by revisiting his final day in the Sydney Press Room, and the touching tribute accorded him in the Newscorp office a few days later. The popular journalist talks about the effects of his sudden departure from a very busy role. Ray talks about a 2023 health scare and the i decision to take stock of his hectic lifestyle.  He talks of his late father’s career as an RAAF communications operator, a job that took him to several parts of the world. Young Raymond Grant was born during David Thomas’ Hong Kong stint in the early 1960’s.  Ray looks back on his dad’s transfer to Perth where his love of sport began. His interest in horse racing was triggered by the deeds of two notable thoroughbred mares and one freakishly talented harness horse. Ray says one particular race call had an amazing impact on him. The multimedia personality looks back on his own participation in Aussie Rules and cricket  during those early years in WA. He talks of the decision to follow his father into the air force.  Ray acknowledges his elderly mother Marlene and siblings Tony and Stacey. He talks about his own nine year career with the RAAF. Ray takes us through the progression of roles with the Melbourne Herald Sun, the Sydney based Sportsman and finally his transition to Daily Telegraph Racing Editor, an appointment that came out of the blue. Ray takes us back to some of the biggest stories he covered from the mid nineties up to his recent retirement. From a media viewpoint some of them were veritable “bombshells”. The sixty one year old takes delight in revisiting the five races he rates as the most memorable he got to cover for Newscorp. Ray talks about the heartbreaking Friday afternoon in the Newscorp office when much loved Rugby League writer Peter Frilingos suffered a fatal heart attack at his desk. The legendary journalist was enormously thrilled when appointed to the Daily Telegraph team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. To this day he savours memories of Cathy Freeman’s dash for gold in the 400m. He was thrilled to have what he called “the best seat in the house”. Ian Thorpe’s unforgettable final leg in the 4x100m relay remains another indelible memory. (Beat American Gary Hall Jnr who’d been making some idle threats in the media) Perhaps the major sporting event Ray enjoyed the most as a working journalist was the Wimbledon men’s final of 2012 when Roger Federer won his seventh title at the All England Club. This was a bittersweet occasion for Ray whose father had passed away the previous year.  He’s currently enjoying his new found role of grandfather to eighteen months old Charlotte. That role will soon be expanded. This is a lovely stroll down memory lane with a legend of the Australian racing media.