John Tapp Racing

10/09/2026

Colleague Greg Radley came back from the Darwin Cup carnival full of praise for race caller Craig Sant. A little research revealed a fascinating backstory to the career of a “Shire boy” whose journey finally landed him in Darwin. Craig’s a good listen on this week’s podcast.
https://buff.ly/WV7Q6Qb

Sky Racing’s Greg Radley spends time with Craig Sant at Darwin Cup time each year. He called me after this year’s NT carnival with a strong suggestion that we should invite Craig onto the podcast.

09/09/2026

David Payne rarely has more than twenty horses in training but regularly comes up with a handy one. At the moment he has two exciting prospects under his care, both 3YO fillies. Dave outlines Spring carnival plans for his talented girls.
https://buff.ly/ZkjOvTy

The spring in David Payne’s step of late is only partly attributable to his recent hip replacement. A couple of exciting three year old fillies he has in the stable might also have something to do with his buoyant mood.

09/09/2026

This week we profile trainer David Payne. On the podcast we chat with Darwin race caller Craig Sant. Brought to you by . View the stories at www.johntapp.racing

Vastly experienced horseman David Payne has been bouncing around lately like a trainer who has a nice horse in the stable. He’s entitled to bounce around because he has two very talented fillies aiming up for some black type success over the next couple of months. In fact, one of those fillies Bangkok Hottie struck early on Saturday with a convincing win in the Gr 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick.

David’s other spring contender Proxima Dea is yet to put black type on her CV but she’s certainly progressing like a filly who’s likely to do just that. Identified months ago as a potential stayer by her astute trainer, Proxima Dea took on older horses over 1800m at Rosehill recently and couldn’t have been more impressive. The trainer talks about the ambitious projects he has in mind for both girls.

The Darwin Cup carnival continues to draw bumper crowds on the first Monday in August. The “top end” festival of racing also captures the attention of interstate trainers. Michael Hickmott, who trained this year’s Cup winner, campaigned in Darwin for several weeks with ten horses. We get a comprehensive report on this week’s podcast from Fannie Bay race caller Craig Sant.

We actually profile Craig’s journey from early life in the Sutherland Shire as the son of harness horse trainer Allan Sant. Some expected him to pursue a career in harness racing, but an inherent desire to become a race caller sent him in a different direction. The story of Craig’s journey to his current role as the “voice of top end racing” makes for a very interesting podcast.

03/09/2026

Tony McEvoy went solo as a trainer when Lindsay Park moved the famous Lindsay Park operation to Victoria in 2010. That decision was vindicated when he and son Calvin landed the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double last year. Tony joins us on the podcast this week.
https://www.johntapp.racing/tappys-podcast/2026/9/1/episode-595-tony-mcevoy-from-a-streaky-bay-apprenticeship-to-a-melbourne-cup-triumph-with-many-golden-moments-in-between

As a youngster Tony McEvoy looked forward to a long career as a jockey. As it turned out he was just 19 when increasing weight put an end to that dream, but not before he’d topped a century of wins.

02/09/2026

Oh Arthur looked to be cantering as he crossed the field to lead from the outside gate at Rosehill on Saturday. He got a little tired late but still managed to make it 2 wins from 3 starts. Lucy Longmire shares an interesting backstory about a very fast horse.
https://www.johntapp.racing/gallops/2026/9/1/oh-arthur-has-taken-forever-to-get-his-act-together-but-hes-away-at-last

When you come across a five year old with only three runs under the belt you can be sure the animal in question has tested the patience of many people along the way.

02/09/2026

This week we profile Oh Arthur and his trainer Lucy Longmire. On the podcast we chat with trainer Tony McEvoy. Brought to you by . View the stories at www.johntapp.racing

For sheer blistering speed you won’t find many faster horses than Oh Arthur - named in honour of an old friend of breeder and part owner Mark McGuire. Although a five year old, the gelding was having only his third race start when he outsped his rivals to win Saturday’s 1100m BM78 at Rosehill Gardens. This followed an equally impressive win at Canterbury almost eight weeks earlier.

Oh Arthur’s current winning run is entirely attributable to the skills and unrelenting patience of co-owner Tim Martin and his Goulburn based trainer Lucy Longmire. Had a yarn with Lucy on Sunday morning about the late blooming gelding whose innate talent is far greater than his brain power.

Tony McEvoy is the first to admit he’s had a very lucky run in the demanding business of horse racing. After beginning his apprenticeship with Bill Holland at Streaky Bay the aspiring jockey had the good fortune to be transferred to Colin Hayes at Lindsay Park. He stayed on at the famous training centre long after his riding career came to an end at age 19.

Tony’s training career was launched under tragic circumstances when Peter Hayes lost his life in a light plane crash in 2001. Today he and son Calvin are running a 100 horse dual stable operation at Flemington and Ballarat. They were propelled to racing’s biggest stage last spring when Half Yours landed the coveted Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double. Tony was gracious with his time in joining the podcast to look back on a remarkable career.

27/08/2026

“Stubby” Holder’s 4th Adelaide premiership win at age 50 dominated the racing headlines. He also claimed the state title. Work ethic, professionalism and boundless talent have kept Jason Holder on top for 35 years. He’s on the podcast.
https://www.johntapp.racing/tappys-podcast/2026/8/25/episode-594-jason-stubby-holder-adelaide-riding-legend-wins-fourth-metro-premiership-at-age-50

Craig Williams was superb in winning his tenth Melbourne title, but it was Adelaide veteran Jason Holder who dominated the headlines by winning his fourth metro premiership at the remarkable age of 50.

26/08/2026

Australian racing is poorer for the passing of 83 year old Bill Farrow. A successful apprentice jockey, skilled trackwork rider and accomplished trainer Bill had his finest moment when Spanish Mix won the 1993 William Reid. We pay tribute to a master horseman.
https://www.johntapp.racing/gallops/2026/8/25/bill-farrow-1943-2026-the-horsemans-horseman

“No better horseman ever held the reins” was Banjo Paterson’s assessment of Clancy Of The Overflow in the early verses of “The Man From Snowy River”.

26/08/2026

This week we present a special tribute to Bill Farrow. On the podcast we chat with jockey Jason Holder. Brought to you by . View the stories at www.johntapp.racing

I was saddened by the news of Bill Farrow’s passing late last week following a brief illness. The veteran horseman had relinquished his trainer’s licence around six years ago following a long and diversified career. Bill rode more than a hundred winners in Queensland before increasing weight terminated his career as a jockey. In twenty five years working for major Sydney stables he gained the respect of several high profile trainers. He was universally recognised as a trackwork rider of rare skill.

When Brian Mayfield-Smith quit the training ranks in the mid 90’s, Bill made the call to take out his own licence. With rarely more than a dozen horses in work he turned out a constant flow of winners over three decades. His dream horse came along in the early 90’s. Spanish Mix was ill conformed but could run like the wind. It took the skill and patience of a gifted horseman to win several races with the brown mare including the Gr 1 William Reid Stakes. Bill Farrow’s reputation as a unique horseman preceded him wherever he went. I’m delighted this week to present a special tribute to a horseman who was once dubbed “Captain Invincible” by a large section of the racing industry.

Jason Holder’s achievement in winning last season’s Adelaide jockey’s premiership at age 50 was the talk of Australian racing. Universally known as “Stubby” the evergreen jockey maintained a consistent strike rate throughout the year to notch 47 city winners. With 84 wins on all tracks, he also claimed the South Australian premiership.

Jason began his career 35 years ago under the guidance of recently retired Leon Macdonald with whom he retains a close friendship. Andrew Gluyas who took over the Morphettville operation continues to use the services of the vastly experienced jockey. “Stubby” Holder is where he is today as a result of an unshakeable work ethic and truckloads of talent. In the wake of his fourth Adelaide riding title we welcome Jason Holder to our podcast for the first time in six years.

20/08/2026

Our podcast guest is a man of amazing versatility - footballer, long time race caller, trusted employee of multiple top trainers and a trainer himself. He’s currently an NDIS carer. Shane Green’s a great listen.
https://www.johntapp.racing/tappys-podcast/2026/8/18/episode-593-tappy-chats-with-shane-green

He made the country seconds in Rugby League, worked for some of Australia’s leading trainers, trained winners in his own right, and continues to excel as a greyhound and thoroughbred race caller.