John Tapp Racing

We get ongoing requests from regulars with podcast suggestions.  Sometimes our correspondents are unaware their choice has already featured. One name to keep coming up, is that of Neville Begg who joined the podcast eighteen months ago and was warmly received. I spoke to Neville this week and found him in great fettle, just five months after his 90th birthday. He was flattered to learn that he’s getting another run . The Hall Of Famer talks about his early life in Newcastle and his first tutor Ray Cashman.   He talks of that fateful day in 1945 when he arrived at Randwick to begin his apprenticeship with the legendary Maurice McCarten. Neville discusses McCarten’s extraordinary riding career. He was already a two time premiership winner in NZ before coming to Australia where he rode another 1000 winners.   Begg remembers his days with the quietly spoken McCarten who trained champions like Todman. The veteran horseman shares his memories of the iconic racehorse and stallion. Neville recalls the racing c