TALES OF THE TURF
TALES OF THE TURF
Step inside the world of Australian racing through the eyes, and voice, of one of its greatest storytellers. In each article, John Tapp brings the sport to life with the same warmth, insight, and passion that made him the Voice of Australian Racing. These are the moments, the people, and the horses that shaped the turf, told by the man who called them home.
2025 HAS BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR THE MINERVINI STABLE
Mark Minervini is quietly chuffed with the way his boutique stable has been chugging along since the beginning of 2025.
RANDWICK WIN PROVIDES THE THRILL OF A LIFETIME FOR MARK MINERVINI
Mark Minervini’s love affair with Randwick racecourse began when he was a race mad teenager growing up in Adelaide. He knew everything there was to know about local horses, but was also a regular listener to racing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
THERE’S A FAIR SMATTERING OF THE OLD WORLD HORSE TRAINER IN MARK MINERVINI
Prior to the arrival of Sky Channel’s home service, most trainers would be on track whenever they had horses competing. They communicated with owners before a race, and enjoyed a celebratory drink with them after a win.
MARK MINERVINI LOOKS FOR NEW HORIZONS
Mark Minervini has saddled up a handful of Group runners in a career not yet three decades old. He’s familiar with the butterflies that most trainers experience when they have a runner at the elite level.