Punters were completely puzzled when the name J. Van Overmeire started to appear in Sydney race fields, just over two years ago.

In Part 2 Fred Kersley talks about the struggle he had to gain his thoroughbred trainer’s licence. It’s a treat to hear the maestro reminisce about the champion Northerly, who catapulted him to the upper echelon of galloping trainers.

This episode is Part 2 of Tappy chats with John Letts, former champion jockey. John continues to entertain us with his racing yarns.

John Letts deserves his ranking in the upper echelon of Australia’s jockeys. He won more than 2300 races including two Melbourne Cups, despite a couple of very serious injuries.

As a kid in Tasmania, Denise Martin often went to the races with her dad.

The magic of racing was on her mind, throughout the years she spent in the hospitality industry.

Betty Lane, sometimes called the grande dame of Australia’s female horse trainers. Betty got a blunt refusal, the first time she applied for an AJC licence in the early seventies.

For trot fans, we welcome to the podcast Menangle trainer Darren McCall. From a strong harness racing background, Darren has a tremendous passion for the standardbred horse.

We talk to broadcasting legend Alan Thomas, who quit race calling three years ago after a distinguished career. This bloke was one of the most versatile commentators of his generation.

Great to catch up with champion jockey Brett Prebble, who has decided to come home after fifteen rewarding seasons in Hong Kong. Brett didn’t win a premiership, but finished second to Douglas Whyte six times.

Pat Webster began his racing life, as an apprentice jockey with trainer Betty Lane at Geurie (NSW). He graduated to Sydney where his riding career took off, but was abruptly halted by a nasty race fall.

The Inglis Digital Online Auction has produced some exciting results, since its introduction in May 2017. SA trainer Mark Minervini showed great judgement in buying a mare from Kalgoorlie last December.

Melbourne jockey Stephen Baster is nudging up towards 1,500 career winners, and has a healthy haul of 14 Gr1 successes.

Our podcast guest is Alan Bailey, who retired from the training ranks six years ago with 3000 winners under his belt.

On the trots trail we welcome to the podcast, popular Gavin Fitzpatrick. He’s a talented driver with 1500 winners to prove it.

When Greg Miles called Almandin’s Melbourne Cup in 2016, his name went into the history books. He nudged past the great Bill Collins, to set a new Australian record of 36 Cup calls.

A delight to welcome to the podcast, Rachel King who has burst onto the Sydney racing scene in a big way, since arriving from England only four years ago.

Brian talks about the fall that ended his career sixteen years ago. He reflects on a career that brought him 2000 winners and 35 Group 1 majors.

Darren Gauci’s farewell race day at Caulfield last year, was one of the most emotional ever seen.

Tim Clark talks about his beginnings in the bush with country trainer Peter Clancy, to a couple of exciting seasons in Hong Kong, to a place among the elite of Sydney jockeys.

The powerful Lindsay Park training empire has dominated South Australian racing since 1965.

Adelaide trainers have always struggled to compete, but Leon Macdonald has managed to win two premierships in his own right.