To mark our 600th podcast post I’m delighted to welcome my former colleague and long time friend, the one and only Ken Callander. Now in retirement at a very sprightly 81, Ken is no longer a regular at the track but continues to observe every development in the industry and nobody watches more races on television than this eagle eyed racing tragic.
What a career he had! Journalist, radio and TV presenter, punter, bookmaker, and racehorse owner. A unique style and a big personality endeared Ken to punters and racing fans all over Australia.
He never lost touch with his humble start in life and he’s the same bloke today that he was more than seventy years ago when he was a regular visitor to his Aunt Bertha’s SP Betting Shop.
Kenny begins by talking about his current role as an armchair jockey.
He responds to the special honour of having a feature Randwick race named after himself and colleague Max Presnell.
Ken takes us back to childhood days when he was introduced to the “buzz” of an inner Sydney SP betting shop.
The veteran says he became skilled at an early age in several popular card games.
Ken says his mother Anne loved a day at the races and couldn’t resist a poker machine.
The veteran says he went very close to being given a different christian name.
He talks of his love of a game of “Two-Up” at a time when Sydney boasted a large number of venues.
Our special podcast guest says he was born totally deaf in the right ear. He didn’t check again until age 50 when it cost a “wad” to find out nothing had changed.
Ken looks back on courting days with his bride-to-be Helen Breen.
He talks of the day in 1962 when he walked into the Daily Mirror office and was hired as a copy boy.
The popular racing identity pays tribute to some of the legendary racing writers he got to work with.
Ken says he was humbled to be appointed Editor of the historic form publication Sportsman. He was in the job for several years.
He clearly remembers the brief appearance on Ch 9’s Wide World Of Sports which would kick start his great media career.
Ken says he enjoyed radio more than any other media involvement.
He looks back on an unusual association with Kerry Packer. The “punt loving” mogul almost got Ken into hot water on one occasion.
Ken says his bookmaking career began on the provincial circuit.
He pays tribute to two special people who had a huge impact on his media career.
Ken looks back on the tragic premature passing of son Matthew, a victim of brain cancer in 2017.
He acknowledges the achievements of sons David, Richard and Steve.
Kenny talks of the invasive facial tumour which gave him some anxious months in 2022.
The affable racing identity speaks of his favourite racing writers, bookmakers and punters.
There was a time when Ken rated Darren Beadman the best jockey he’d seen since George Moore. Let’s find out if that still applies.
His choice of all time favourite horse might surprise a few.
This is a very special podcast episode for me. The man I’m interviewing is every bit as special.
A laid back chat with an iconic racing personality.
29 Sept 2026
Episode 599: Bella Youngberry - Dual Gold Coast premiership winner away to a flying start in new season
A history making feat by Angela Jones to win the 2024/2025 Brisbane jockey’s premiership has been a source of inspiration to female riders around the nation. Twenty year old Bella Youngberry created her own little piece of history last season by becoming the first female rider to win both the junior and senior Gold Coast premierships. She has carried the momentum into the new season, and is currently a handful of wins in front of Ben Thompson on the Brisbane metro ladder. Bella’s story is similar to that of many female jockeys in Australia- pony club, show ring and a gradual transition to riding trackwork. Initially apprenticed to Allan Chau, Bella subsequently spent time on loan-outs to Mel and Billy Johnson at Barcaldine, and Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour. She’s currently back on the Gold Coast with Adam Campton who supports her well, as do an increasing number of Brisbane metro trainers. It’s a delight to welcome Bella Youngberry to this week’s podcast. She begins by talking about the short suspension she’s currently serving.
Bella still can’t believe she was a dual premiership winner last season and is excited to be a front runner on the metro ladder in the early part of the current term.
The young jockey is acutely aware things will get tougher when her city and provincial claims dry up.
Bella pays tribute to her father Garry Youngberry, one of the most familiar faces on Queensland television. Garry has been totally supportive from the moment he identified his daughter’s passion for thoroughbreds.
She talks of her only sibling brother Marcus who to this point in time has concentrated on another form of horse power.
Bella talks about the 50 acre property outside Brisbane where a quarter horse mare first triggered the adrenaline rush only a full stretch gallop can bring to a budding jockey. She also pays tribute to an off-track racehorse who quickly mastered the show jumping art.
She clearly remembers the moment she announced her intention to enter the racing industry. Her plan was to finish her education online while she learned the fundamentals in a Sunny Coast racing stable. Garry Youngberry was taken aback at first.
Bella says she was hooked on race riding from her very first track gallop for trainer Darryl Hansen.
The twenty year old looks back on her initial indentureship to former successful jockey Allan Chau on the Gold Coast. She vividly recalls her first race ride at Gympie and, and the thrill of her first win at Thangool in the Burnett River country.
Bella says her regular trips to country tracks brought her to the notice of Barcaldine trainer Billy Johnson who offered her a “loan-out” opportunity. She jumped at the chance.She says the experience of riding on bush tracks against seasoned bush jockeys was a great learning curve.
Bella says she’d no sooner arrived back at the Chau stables when another opportunity arose with Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour. She looks back on the next few months as the most valuable of her career so far.
She pays tribute to current master Adam Campton who’s made quite a statement since joining the Gold Coast training ranks just over four years ago.
Bella talks about the highlights of her recent winning trot on city tracks including two Doomben trebles.
She acknowledges the influence of trailblazing jockey Angela Jones.
This is a laid back chat with a young lady whose emergence in Queensland racing has been spectacular. Good times ahead for Bella Youngberry.
22 Sept 2026
Episode 598: Stirling Osland
As his 37th birthday approaches Stirling Osland has already garnered a very sound reputation among NSW country based trainers. He’s one of only four trainers to use the facilities at the historic Armidale racecourse, and couldn’t be happier. With rarely more than twenty five horses in work Stirling has maintained a healthy strike rate over the past decade. He also manages to complete the breaking and education of around twenty youngsters every year. The young trainer has the happy knack of knowing when one of his horses has sufficient talent to warrant a trip to Sydney or Brisbane. From a limited number of runners he’s saddled up five TAB Highway winners. Stirling’s story to date makes for an interesting podcast. He begins by talking about a very hectic recent schedule.
Stirling says he enjoys the quiet environment of the Armidale training precinct as do most of his horses.
He talks of the available training facilities and his own involvement in trackwork riding duties.
Stirling speaks of his 100 acre property just outside Armidale where he lives with his family. The farm also doubles as a spelling venue for most of his horses.
The trainer pays tribute to wife Courtney and two young daughters Heidi and Clare.
He says combining racehorse training and the breaking of yearlings makes for a pretty busy life.
Stirling talks of his longtime association with owner/breeder Stuart Ramsey. He greatly values the support of a larger than life character.
He remembers childhood days on the family property at Tamworth where he and two brothers were rarely out of the saddle.
Stirling looks back on the first of two stints at Stuart Ramsey’s Turangga Stud in the Hunter Valley.
He reflects on an amazing six years as a jackeroo on Northern Territory cattle stations. He says the experience taught him about life.
Stirling looks back on his second stint at Turangga Stud. This time he proved to be a natural in the art of horse breaking.
He reflects on experience gained at Eliza Park Stud in Victoria and Gerry Harvey’s Broombee Stud at Armidale. By this time he was giving serious thought to trying his hand as a horse trainer.
Stirling says his first runner as a trainer left him a little flat, but his first win a few months later determined his future career direction. He shares the story of that first winner New Endeavour not to be confused with a Waterhouse/Bott import of the same name.
The trainer makes special mention of another horse to get him up and running. He won 8 races with the son of Dylan Thomas.
Stirling takes us through the backstories associated with his five TAB Highway winners.
He says it was satisfying to play a part in the early education of Gr 1 winner Chain Of Lightning. He actually won two country races with the daughter of Fighting Sun before her transfer to Peter Moody.
Stirling appreciated the opportunity to train So You Are until his recent transfer to Bjorn Baker. He won 4 races with the consistent galloper and posted 11 placings including a second to The Budgiesmugla in the recent Caloundra Cup.
He acknowledges the talents of the two jockeys he supports on the country circuit.
This is a laid back chat with a young man whose destiny was set in stone from those early days in the saddle on his family’s Tamworth property. Interesting to note he hasn’t strayed far from the famous New England region.
Who has been a guest on John Tapp Racing
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Luke Currie
Jeff Lloyd
Tony McMahon
Royce Simmons
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YouTube
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