John Tapp announced on tonight’s Sky Racing In the Gig episode that he will retire from racing broadcasting in June this year.
Tapp’s last official hosting role will be on the season finale of In the Gig almost 50 years to the day after his career started at 2GB.
Tapp has been one of the iconic voices of Australian racing and called more than 50,000 races over his career with his last race call in 1998. Tapp has held various hosting roles at Sky Racing since.
Tapp said he will miss sharing his love of racing with the Sky audience.
“Talking racing has been an absolutely joy and the people involved in racing – you can’t go past them,” Tapp said.
“I can’t pinpoint a career highlight. There are so many special horses, races, trainers, jockeys and harness drivers. Every day in racing is like a new frontier and every race has its own story.”
Tapp said he will continue to train harness horses in his retirement from broadcasting.
“I don’t want to have too many horses, just enough that I can be hands on,” he said.
“Apart from that, I will still be keenly watching everything that is happening in racing and will remain an avid Sky Racing viewer.”
Tabcorp Chief Operating Officer Wagering and Media, Craig Nugent said Tapp will be dearly missed at Sky Racing.
“John Tapp is a true Australian racing legend and Sky Racing is proud to have been part of his illustrious 50-year career,” Nugent said.
“I wish John all the best in his retirement. It has been a privilege for the team at Sky to have worked with him.”
Tapp was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal in 1996 “for service to horse sports as a national and international racecaller, and to charitable organisations as an organiser and compere of fundraising events” and was bestowed the title of Australia Post Australian Legend in 2007 when he was immortalised in a stamp series.
Sky is producing a special tribute to celebrate John Tapp’s racing and media career for broadcast during his final week on-air. His last In the Gig episode will air on Sky Racing on June 16.
Rebecca Ludbrook
Tabcorp