John Tapp Racing

John Sadler’s coming up 72 next birthday and can look back on a fascinating  career. He’s possibly more content currently than he’s ever been, working a team of just thirty horses at the widely lauded Pakenham training centre. Half the team are pre-trainers for good friends, the other half racehorses owned by valued clients old and new. It hasn’t been all beer and skittles for the Terang born trainer with recurring bouts of depression and one unfortunate run in with a senior steward during the infamous Aquanita Racing scandal that came to light in 2017. That misdemeanour cost John six weeks on the sidelines. You’ll hear his side of the story on the upcoming podcast. John begins by acknowledging the merits of the state of the art Pakenham training precinct.

He talks about his team of thirty horses and the pre-training support given him by fellow trainers.

The veteran horseman talks of life on the farm at Terang in the 1950’s.

John talks of Terang’s history in both thoroughbred and harness racing.

He pays tribute to his remarkable parents Lindsay and Mary. His father died in 1993 at 95 years of age. His mother stayed around for much longer.

John remembers friendships formed in schooldays that would introduce him to the racing game.

He talks of the modest start he made as a trainer on the small property he’d purchased at Colac.

John reflects on his very first win as a trainer and the unforgettable thrill of his maiden metropolitan win.

You’ll enjoy the trainer’s reminiscences about the ageless Pressman’s Choice and the betting plunge he landed with the horse in the 1991 Hamilton Cup. Few knew what dire financial straits he was in at the time.

John fondly remembers his very first Gr 1 win with Jolly Old Mac.

The trainer acknowledges the talents of Kenvain and Lady Jakeo, a star two year old filly of the early 90’s.

He hasn’t forgotten the surprise phone call from jockey Greg Hall which led to an exciting overseas training stint.

On returning to Melbourne after his 4 year Dubai experience, John received an unexpected offer from leviathan owner Lloyd Williams. He became private trainer for Williams from Flemington to begin with, and later from the owners’ lavish Macedon Lodge training operation.

John has one small regret about the Macedon Lodge experience revolving around Melbourne Cup winner Efficient.

When his arrangement with Macedon Lodge ran its course, John opted to team up with young trainer Troy Corstens at Flemington under the Malua Racing banner. The four year partnership was both successful and harmonious. 

John relates the amazing story of a new Swedish owner and the acquisition of Linton, a horse he knew well from the Macedon Lodge days. A Gr 1 success would follow.

He was more than happy to talk about his recurring battles with depression. He was able to bounce back from several low periods. Today, with the right advice and continued treatment he’s on top of the problem.

John looks back on the infamous Aquanita Racing scandal which resulted in multiple disqualifications. His horses were stabled in the same barn which would later bring him unwanted “fall-out”. 
It all came to a head when a senior steward scratched one of John’s horses from a Gr 3 race. His subsequent outburst resulted in a six week suspension.

He talks of two marriages and seven children, two of whom are heavily involved in racing- Tom as a jockey and trainer, Edward as race caller and TV presenter.

We conclude the podcast by pressuring John to nominate a horse or two from his current team likely to visit the winner’s circle in the near future. He suggests two mares who are already multiple winners, but far from finished yet.

An enjoyable chat with one of Victoria’s most respected horsemen. John Sadler tells it as it is.

Few trainers have had a busier week than Brett Dodson. He left Coffs Harbour on Thursday July 9th with his bonny mare Petticoat who was to start in a BM78 at Randwick two days later. It was a case of so near but yet so far as Petticoat went down by a whisker to Zouripper.  As soon as Petticoat was ready to travel Brett embarked on the arduous journey back to Coffs. 

He had good reason to feel a little the worse for wear by the time he arrived at the Grafton track on Sunday with Miss Midas Touch for the 1400m maiden. Despite copping a hefty bump at the 300m, the mare grabbed the lead for a few strides before finishing third to You Are Mind and Occupation. No wins, but good runs by both Petticoat and Miss Midas Touch. 

Brett Dodson rarely has more than a dozen horses in work and is prepared to take them wherever they have the best chance of earning prize money. Tamworth born Dodson became “hooked” on racing in his early teens and resolved from the outset to seek a future in the industry.

He recorded 13 wins and 30 placings as a professional jockey before increasing weight halted his progress. He switched immediately to the picnic circuit where he enjoyed success for two full seasons. Brett had a trainer’s licence by age 18 and has put it to good use over more than three decades. He begins by talking about the long road trip to Sydney with Petticoat and the reliable mare’s gutsy performance in Saturday’s Keiran Moore BM78 at Randwick.

The trainer says he had to shrug off fatigue to saddle Miss Midas Touch at Grafton twenty four hours later. 

Brett outlines the backstory of his promising five year old My Mum’s Toyboy. He profiles the gelding’s pedigree and talks of the success he’s enjoyed with others out of the same mare.

He says there wasn’t a trace of racing in his family background.

Brett confirms his passion for racing was initially generated by TV and radio coverage. He later became a subscriber to two famous monthly magazines.

He talks of a friendship with a former prominent Sydney jockey who gifted him one of his old saddles. 

Brett says it all started when he visited local trainer Terry Wicks to seek advice on how best to gain an apprenticeship. He was in for a very pleasant surprise.

He clearly remembers his first race ride and his first trip to the winner’s circle. 

Brett says soaring weight quickly terminated any suggestion of a long term career as a professional jockey.

He looks back on two happy seasons as an  amateur rider.

The Coffs Harbour horseman remembers his first training win with 
a horse purchased cheaply from another stable.
He looks back on an invaluable learning experience with talented trainer Tim Martin.

Brett talks about his stint as private trainer for owner/breeder Andrew Pratten who had his horses based at Inverell. He later encouraged Andrew to consider moving his horses to the balmier climate at Coffs Harbour.

He pays tribute to the two horses who provided him with black type success.

The trainer acknowledges a few talented horses to help him along the way and gives a shoutout to a promising rising three year old he has in his care.

Brett shares the story of the amazing business deal he was able to strike with Hong Kong agents just on two years ago. 

He talks of his ongoing friendship with prominent Brisbane jockey Kyle Wilson Taylor.

This is a nice chat with a bush trainer who hasn’t regretted a single day spent in the racing industry.

Almost without exception successful horse trainers are hard workers. There’s a 35 year old Grafton based Mum who’s in accord with the quote made famous by former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who said “hard work won’t always get you to the top but with ordinary luck will get you pretty near.”

Samantha’s been around horses from the toddling stage. After notable success in the pony club and campdrafting pursuits, she transitioned to thoroughbreds by becoming a trackwork rider at the busy Grafton training precinct. A successful two and a half year stint as a jockey triggered her interest in the training of the animal and that’s where we find her today. Sam works a team of twenty horses from Hosier Lodge right on the Grafton track and has already established a reputation as a very serious young trainer in the  northern region. Samantha and husband Matt McGuren live 20 kms outside Grafton requiring very early starts for both. Matt is currently having a break from the rigours of the sweat box but still has a significant input into stable duties. Sam says he rides a number of horses before heading off to his day job.

She pays tribute to Matt’s skills as a professional jockey and the other talents he’s been able to develop along the way. 

Sam says she doesn’t ride as much trackwork these days but still needs to be on standby.

She acknowledges the input of her stable apprentice Grace Palmer and a handful of other jockeys who help out from time to time.

The young mother talks about her darling daughters Makella and Addison. Thirteen year old Makella already has her future well and truly earmarked.

Sam talks about her lifetime passion for campdrafting and the nasty injury she suffered three years ago.

She still marvels at her good luck in finding the right horse to kick start her training career. Digital online purchase Fortyfive Parklane won 6 races for his fledgling trainer.

Sam gives a shoutout to a few special horses who helped to get her training career up and running.

She looks back on childhood days at Maclean near Grafton and her early fascination with horses.

Samantha looks  back on her introduction to trackwork at Grafton. She was besotted from “day 1.”

The dedicated horsewoman reflects on her apprenticeship to Grafton trainer Terry Commerford whose support was invaluable.

Sam remembers the thrill of her first race win and the momentum she was able to generate during her apprenticeship. That momentum enabled her to become champion northern rivers apprentice in the 2010/2011 season.

She had a soft spot for the Commerford trained Montana Hilton who remains the favourite from her race riding days.

Sam looks back on the transfer of her indentures to respected Taree trainer Ross Stitt who also gave her partner Matt McGuren a role in his busy operation.

She talks of her admiration for Sydney based fellow female rider Kathy O’Hara. 

This is a laid back chat with a dedicated young trainer who sees herself being around thoroughbreds for the duration of her working life.

Bob and Jenny Vance train a very small team at Ardmore in Auckland but boast a healthy strike rate with a Gr 1 win already on the board. I have vivid recollections of Bob winning the 1993 W.S Cox Plate on The Phantom Chance- the first of five Cox Plates I got to call for the Nine Network. Just three years after winning the famous Moonee Valley feature, Bobby Vance decided to call time on his stellar riding career and join his wife Jenny in the training ranks. Swedish born Jenny Moller had also enjoyed a very successful career in the saddle. We tracked Bob down last week and he agreed to join us on this week’s podcast. He begins by talking of the Ardmore training complex and says he and Jenny run the operation unassisted.

He reflects on the thrill of a Gr 1 training win at Te Rapa in 2021 with an expat Hong Kong galloper.

Bob looks back on he and Jenny’s initial reaction when daughter Maija announced her intention to become a jockey.

He talks of Maija’s immediate success in NZ and a subsequent five year stint in Australia.

The former ace jockey talks of Maija’s switch to jumps riding and the career ending injuries she sustained in a crash at Rotorua.

Bob says he was watching the race on TV in Auckland and knew instantly Maija was in serious trouble.

He talks of his daughter’s horrific injury list and her amazing recovery over a period of years. Maija is now training in tandem at Cambridge with partner Josh.

Bobby looks  back on childhood days in Auckland and a work experience stint with a legendary Ellerslie trainer.

When the time was right for Bob to be signed up as an apprentice jockey he had to go all the way to Matamata. He was required to go to school when stable chores were completed. Bob looks back on a very unhappy episode in his life. 

He remembers the stroke of good fortune that led him to an apprenticeship with legendary Takanini horseman Colin Jillings. He was there for the duration of his junior term and beyond.

The Jillings/Vance partnership soon reached dizzy heights with the ongoing success of star galloper Uncle Remus.

Bob looks back on his 4 win haul in the prestigious NZ Derby.

He pays tribute to the training skills of Colin Jillings whose passing in 2022 saddened the entire NZ racing industry.

Bob remembers with affection his two Auckland Cup wins.

Vance makes special mention of another great favourite Mr. McGinty (his name whenever he raced in Australia). He’s never forgotten the colt’s Sydney debut and a defeat of “boom  colt” Marscay. He literally won the race on three legs.

Bob reflects on Mr. McGinty’s amazing comeback and a swag of Gr 1 victories as a three year old.

He talks of McGinty’s subsequent success at the stud.

The former jockey talks of multiple premiership wins at home.

Bob looks back on a wonderful association with The Phantom Chance and that dominant Cox Plate win in 1993.

 Bob had been retired three years when invited by the VRC to participate in a non betting event at Flemington against some legendary former champion riders. He enjoyed the experience.

He gives a special “shout out” to mum Ronnie who’s still going strong in NZ.

This is a nostalgic journey with one of New Zealand’s best riders from the 80’s and 90’s.

When an Adelaide podcast listener contacted me recently about a potential interview with Glynn Pretty, I couldn’t get things under way quickly enough. In the 60’s and 70’s this man’s reputation was as solid as any top jockey in the nation. He spent a lot of time out of Australia fulfilling contracts in Singapore and Hong Kong, but whenever back in Adelaide he promptly reminded owners and trainers why people like Bart Cummings were so lavish in their praise. A dreadful fall in Hong Kong in 1978 was expected to terminate his career. Six years later he made a comeback and rode 50 winners in a year before quitting for good. 

Glynn put a lot back into racing following his official retirement, and at age 80 is still involved with the SA Racing Appeals Board. He’s also enjoyed the thrill of horse ownership, especially an involvement with talented mare See You In Heaven. The daughter of Divine Prophet won six races for her ownership team, all at stakes level. We begin by talking about Glynn‘s love of the game of golf. 

The former star jockey looks back on 15 years as President of the South Australian Jockey’s Association.

Glynn’s very proud of the part he played in the establishment of the SA Jockeys Academy in conjunction with TAFE. He explains how it works and acknowledges some of the great riding talents to come under his tutelage.

He looks back on his inclusion in a team appointed by Stereline in the 90’s to visit the USA on a promotional tour. The goal was to showcase the starting gates and running rails manufactured by the company in Australia. While in America Glynn saw jockey’s safety vests for the first time. He quickly floated the idea in Australia.

He talks of his collaboration with the Australian Jockeys Association in introducing a better form of indemnity insurance for injured jockeys.

Glynn talks of childhood days in Adelaide and his battle with asthma. He was actually allergic to horses.

He talks of his original apprenticeship organised by his father Stan. Things went terribly wrong soon after he started at the Morphettville stables of Bob Burrows.

Glynn says he left racing altogether for more than a year but later regenerated an apprenticeship with trainer Bert Kenny. The legendary Colin Hayes came into the equation at one stage.

Pretty remembers his first ever race ride at Strathalbyn and the magic of his first win at Cheltenham. There was enormous sentiment attached to this win.

He recalls the traumatic circumstances under which his father lost his life in a motor accident.

We simply let Glynn reminisce about some of the better horses he got to ride early in his career. Galilee and Light Fingers make for a good start. Dayana also gets an honourable mention.

He speaks fondly of Hampton’s Pride, one of the most expensive yearlings sold in Australia in the 1960’s.

Glynn speaks of wins in the famous Adelaide double the Goodwood Hcp and Adelaide Cup. His wins came one year apart.

He looks back on wins in races like the SA St Leger, Port Adelaide Cup and SA Oaks.

Glynn  remembers his flying start the first time he took on a retainer in Singapore. He rode for just 9 months of the season but finished second in the premiership.

He looks back on 4 consecutive years as Singapore’s champion jockey.

Glynn was stunned when awarded a rare honour after so little time in Singapore. He talks of wins in some of the jurisdiction’s most important races.

He says SA premierships were never on his radar because of the time he spent out of the country. He was however proud of a South Australian premiership after returning from Singapore  in the 1970/71 season.

He talks of three amazing retainers he was forced to decline during his career. One of them came from the UK.

Glynn  talks of the success he enjoyed in HK and his injury toll after the fateful 1978 accident at Happy Valley.

He looks back on two other interesting feature wins in the early 70’s- one in Queensland the other in Melbourne. Both winners were trained by Bart Cummings.

Glynn never won a Melbourne Cup but says it could have been different had he been in the right place at the right time.

He remembers a Singapore marriage to his late wife Gladys and the whereabouts of daughter Jodie and son Troy. 

Glynn Pretty’s reputation as one of the best jockeys of his generation was set in stone. Just ask any racing man who was around in the 60’s and 70’s. Great to have him on the podcast.
Old timers will enjoy his recollections. Younger racing fans will be impressed by the merit of his achievements.