2ND EDITION/SEPTEMBER 2013

GAI’SFind out more GAZETTE about racing a horse with at www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au

Cheeky Choice

EDITORIAL Who wants to own a Group One Stakes winner?

INDUSTRY FOCUS An interview with Widden’s Antony Thompson

THE PRIVATE TRACK DEBATE Rob Waterhouse on the “private track myth”

Proudly Sponsored by Magic Millions 2 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au GAI’S GAZETTE WHAT’S NEW? Information

From the Pen of the Lady Trainer...... Pages 4-5 Editor-in-Chief: Lea Stracey Recent Winners...... Pages 6-7 Editor: Madison Whant Who wants to own a Group One Winner?...... Pages 8-9 Production Manager: Adrian Bott In the Spotlight: Antony Thompson...... Pages 10-11 Advertising Manager: Adrian Bott Vale Northern Meteor...... Page 12 Journalists: Zeb Armstrong, Rob Waterhouse, James Harron, Chris O’Sullivan on colic...... Pages 12-13 Madison Whant, Grant Vandenberg and David Bay Extra... Extra... Read all about it...... Page 14 Graphic Design and Layout: Madison Whant Performance of the Month...... Page 15 Chief Photographer: Bradley Photographers The Private Track Debate...... Pages 16-17 Major Sponsors: Magic Millions, Widden Stud and Emirates Future Forecasts...... Page 18 Park Stud The Overseas Influence...... Page 19 Major contributors: Zeb Armstrong Instinction Joins Eliza Park International in QLD...... Page 20 Producers: Graphic Impressions Behind the Scenes with jockey Thomas Huet...... Pages 22-23 Behind the Scenes with stable manager Mel Norton...... Pages 24-25 Back in the Day with T.J. Smith...... Pages 26-28 Sunday at the stables...... Pages 30-31

Fiorente and Carlton House Bradley Photographers

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 3 Gai and Monty Roberts observe the Friday jumpouts on his visit to Randwick Photograph by Need for Steed

From the pen Of the Lady Trainer

am lucky to have three sensational mid- represents years of preparation in peaking a Handicap, then by running a tremendous Idle distance horses in the stable at the horse at that exact moment. will not sixth in the 2012 Cup. Carlton moment, all of whom are raring to go head- be on his own in the search for the ultimate House (Street Cry x Talented) on the other ing towards Flemington. The Melbourne racing glory. My hardy and durable front hand was sent to me by Her Majesty Queen Cup is the holy grail of Australian racing running Group One winner Glencadam Elizabeth on the recommendation of John and it is such a thrill to have these three live Gold (Refuse to Bend x Sandrella) is also Warren, Her Majesty’s bloodstock agent. chances this early in the build up towards on a quest. This gelding John has first-hand experience of how my the Cup. The leader of the pack is Fiorente was purchased for just 135,000 guineas at stable functions and how I communicate (Monsun x Desert Bloom); the striking the Tattersall’s sales at Newmarket, England. with my owners. John felt Lodge brown entire is again aimed at the first Many bloodstock agents collectively raised was the perfect place for Carlton House to Tuesday in November after a brilliant runner an eyebrow when the son of Refuse to Bend recapture his form after he seemingly was not up finish in the race that stops a nation was knocked down to Bruce Slade for Gai performing at his best, especially at his last in 2012. For one brief shining moment Waterhouse. Both Fiorente and Glencadam overseas run in the Cup at Sha Fiorente returned for the 1400m All-Aged Gold have one thing in common… they both, Tin. So the entire was shipped Down Under Stakes at Randwick in the autumn where he through their form, caught the attention of Mr and I gave him one start in the autumn where ran third. He was then spelled in preparation Rob Waterhouse. Rob has been a bookie for he finished midfield. Carlton House was then for the riches at Flemington in the spring. many a long year now and he is one of very sent for a spell. Spelling a spring contender Australia’s richest and most competitive few Australian bookmakers who still do their after one autumn start is a common practice race, the Melbourne Cup will be upon us own form for the races. Rob’s keen eye spot- among Australian trainers. Some might say before we know it. For racegoers the world ted something in Glencadam Gold’s form that it is done in order to free up boxes, but this stands still for the little over three minutes no one else could see. Glencadam Gold did could not be further from the truth. Spring the race generally takes. For Australians not last long as a stallion in Australia. Before horses enjoy coming back for one autumn everywhere the race draws us together in he was gelded his mind was on anything but start then heading back out because it breaks anticipation and excitement. For owners, racing. Glencadam Gold repaid our faith in up the monotonous routine of being in a jockeys, trainers, strappers and everyone him firstly by winning his first four starts else concerned with the industry the race culminating in the Group One Metropolitan

4 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au box and completing track work each day. Fiorente will follow a similar prep to that of am glad you gave me a call.’ In this country of sunshine and energy Green Moon in 2012. I have been studying Even in its embryonic state I am much inducing feed, a horse when spelling will the lead up races of the past 20 Cup winners enjoying the challenge and the team of peo- invariably grow. Their feet grow, their bones in an attempt to learn more and more about ple that have come together to produce the grow as does their overall size. Glencadam how to get a horse to peak for this legendary gazette. Zeb Armstrong is our driving force Gold, Fiorente and Carlton House are all two mile race. There will be no stone left and fearless leader. Zeb is also the biggest remarkably bigger now. A spell after one unturned in my attempt to take home the contributor to the gazette. His knowledge quick start also freshens up a horse’s mind. 2013 Melbourne Cup. Glencadam Gold will of the Australian racing industry is jaw For the equine residents of Tulloch Lodge fly the flag in his home state of NSW before dropping and his enthusiasm is contagious. it is my way or the highway. I want my heading south. His preparation will kick off in Madison Whant is our young and very tal- horses to be competitive at the highest the Chelmsford. Carlton House’s preparation ented budding editor. Madison is just cutting level. That is my number one goal for each is a slightly more open forum. her teeth in the industry and she is doing a horse that walks through the gates. Some While talking with Her Majesty at Royal fantastic job. Adrian Bott is our production horses have an agenda and this can stop Ascot, Monty Roberts’ name came up as and advertising manager. Adrian is doing them achieving their best. Once a horse and someone who could assist us in the solving an outstanding job of tying together all the I see eye to eye and understand each other of Carlton House’s barrier problems. Monty threads as well as liaising with the gazette perfectly we can get on with the business of was in Australia this month and the world sponsors Magic Millions and the other major winning Group One races. famous horse whisperer was not intending contributors. Lastly, but definitely not least, Lloyd Williams knows better than anyone to visit while he was Down Under. there is my dear friend Lea Stracey who else what it takes to get a horse (especially However, after I called him, he was more proofreads all the separate articles, then a horse bred in Europe) to peak at around than happy to come and see Carlton House edits, then edits again until the gazette is 3pm on the first Tuesday in November. in Sydney. ‘Anything I can do for Her Majesty, perfect for your reading. When Lloyd speaks about a potential Cup well, I am only too happy to help.’ He said, I hope you enjoy our articles each month, preparation, the Lady Trainer listens intently. ‘Her Majesty is a big inspiration of mine and I and stay tuned…..

Tommy Berry on Glencadam Gold Bradley Photographers

Have a message for Gai? Tell us your story..... Send your letters to [email protected] The deadline for our next issue is September 20.

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 5 War Bradley Photographers

Forever Loved Aussies Love Sport Bradley Photographers Bradley Photographers

Order of the Sun Bradley Photographers

6 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au Star Thoroughbreds Mr Jackman Bradley Photographers

SOME RECENT WINNERS With Bradley Photographers

Spurtonic Bradley Photographers

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 7 Who wants to own A Group One Flight Stakes Winner?

By ZEB ARMSTRONG o you want to own a Flight Stakes win- The Flight Stakes is a wonderful race named were Skyline who won a Golden Slipper Sner? The best way to achieve this goal is after a wonderful race mare. Flight was a and an AJC Derby and the immortal Sky to make your way to the Gold Coast in any champion mare in the final years of World High who is one of the best ten horses to given January for the Magic Millions sales, War II and in the immediate aftermath of ever grace the Australian turf. The race that find the Lady Trainer and ask nicely if you the conflict. The durable champion was one honours Flight - The Flight Stakes is run over may take a percentage of a filly purchased of the main reasons racing enjoyed a ‘boom’ 1600m in the Sydney Spring for three-year- by Gai. Why is this you may ask? Well Gai period directly after WWII. She had 65 old fillies. has trained seven Flight Stakes winners and starts for 24 wins including two Cox Plates It is a Group One event. Gai has trained five of these were purchased at the Magic plus many more feature races; Flight also had seven Flight Stakes winners in total; they are Millions sales on the Gold Coast. These five the unnerving privilege of regularly running Assertive Lass (1996), Danglissa (1999), Ha Magic Millions graduates that have delivered against immortal champions Bernborough Ha (2001), Lotteria (2004), Fashions Afield a Flight Stakes trophy to Tulloch Lodge and Shannon. After racing for five full sea- (2005), Cheeky Choice (2006) and More include three consecutive winners for Gai in sons, Flight produced just one foal, the aptly Joyous (2009). The middle five winners were 2004, 2005 and 2006. Has any other trainer named Flight’s Daughter. all purchased at the Magic Millions sales on in recent memory won the same Group One This mare produced two full brothers both the Gold Coast and these five were all very Classic three years in a row? by legendary stallion Star Kingdom; they special fillies.

Ha Ha (Danehill x Very Droll) cost $300,000 as a yearling at the 2000 Magic Millions sales. $300,000 is quite a price to pay for a yearling - in fact Ha Ha was the most expensive of Gai’s five Flight Stakes winners that were purchased at the Magic Millions sales. But $300,000 seems like a bargain when compared to Ha Ha’s career earnings of $2,989,465. This filly was another example of a brilliant purchase by Gai at the Magic Millions. Ha Ha won eight races in her career and six of these were at Group or Listed level. The filly’s best wins were no doubt the 2001 Golden Slipper as well as the 2001 Flight Stakes. Ha Ha was placed in the Furious before winning the Tea Rose and the Flight Stakes. In winning Danglissa Bradley Photographers the Flight Stakes, Ha Ha beat the super filly Hosannah.

Danglissa (Danzero x Vreeland) very easily both as a short priced favourite. Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice x was purchased by Gai in conjunction with Then on Epsom Day 1999, Danglissa bolted Attire) was purchased by Gai at the 2004 Denise Martin from Star Thoroughbreds in in the Flight Stakes as an odds on favou- Magic Millions sales for $230,000. The at the 1998 Magic Millions for just $45,000. rite. After this monumental win, Danglissa speedy filly through dogged determina- The daughter of Danzero had a brilliant went south and was narrowly beaten in tion and a will to win managed to bank three-year-old season; in fact almost all of the Thousand Guineas, the Wakeful and $1,974,110 on the track during her 22 start her $864,415 was won during her three- the VRC Oaks. After her Melbourne spring race career. year-old season. Danglissa resumed as a efforts, Danglissa returned to Sydney for the In all of Fashions Afield’s best wins includ- three-year-old in a 1500m Magic Millions autumn and put an exclamation mark on ing the 2005 Flight Stakes, she beat the gun race at Rosehill where she ran second, her career with a win in the Queen of the Ingham owned and multiple Group One beaten by less than half a length. Turf Stakes. This race is now a Group One. winning filly Mnemosyne. The two clashed After this second, Danglissa won the two She was retired having won six races (four as two-year-olds with Fashions Afield com- traditional Flight Stakes lead up races, the at Group or Listed level) and having made ing out on top in the Riesling and the Group Group Three Furious Stakes and the Group almost 20 times her purchase price on the One Sires’ and as three-year-olds where Two Tea Rose. Danglissa won these races track. Fashions Afield maintained her

8 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au advantage in the Flight Stakes. In five clashes, Fashions Afield won three while Mnemosyne won two. Fashions Afield is another example of a very affordable filly chosen by Gai that went on to make a huge amount of money on the track. Anytime a filly makes eight times more on the track than its sale price as Fashions Afield did, is a success story. Gai seems to have young horses under her watch that achieve these statistics very frequently.

Lotteria (Redoute’s Choice x Rose Reward) won the Flight Stakes in 2004, but unlike Gai’s previous winners in this great race, Lotteria won not as a juvenile champion, but as a filly on the rise. This daughter of Redoute’s Choice was pur- Lotteria chased by Gai at the 2003 Magic Millions Bradley Photographers sales for $260,000. In hindsight this seems like a bargain especially since Redoute’s Choice was flying as a stallion in 2003 and also the fact that Lotteria picked up $1,491,560 on the track in her 17 start race career. Lotteria may have made even more on the track had she not run into a couple of Australia’s best ever horses, but, even so, this wonderful filly was simply breathtaking on the track and she more than held her own in the biggest races on the Australian racing calendar. Whereas Danglissa and Ha Ha won the Flight Stakes off the back of great performances in the Furious and Tea Rose, Lotteria took out the classic after a trip to Newcastle. After just holding on in the Spring Classic in Newcastle, Gai felt her gun filly was going well enough to be given her chance in the Group One Flight Stakes. Again this was a masterstroke from the Lady Trainer because as the $4 second favourite, Cheeky Choice Bradley Photographers Lotteria produced one of the best Flight Stakes performances in the 66 year history of the race to win by seven lengths. After this win Lotteria came back in the autumn The filly repaid Gai’s faith firstly by winning a hard run, but to actually extend in the and won the Surround Stakes, then as a four- $595,425 on the track and secondly, after straight and beat a crack field by 2.5 lengths. year-old in the following spring the now retirement, by being sold while in foal to The evidence is conclusive. Winning a mare won the Shannon, ran a place in the More Than Ready for over one million Group One race seven times in fourteen Epsom (beaten by by a length), dollars. On the track, Cheeky Choice was a years (1996 – 2009) is remarkable enough, ran second to in the Cox Plate cheeky front runner that fought exception- but when five of these wins including then won the Myer Classic at Flemington. ally hard and was very hard to get past. She three in three consecutive years were all Lotteria did make almost six times her won four from fifteen, all at the top level purchased at the Magic Millions, well that purchase price on the track and performed and was only unplaced five times in her is a truly outstanding achievement. Gai so beautifully well against the likes of Desert career. Cheeky Choice was a winner at two Waterhouse and the Magic Millions sales War at his best and a near-on unbeatable and three but no doubt the best win of her when combined clearly have an unbeliev- Makybe Diva in that mare’s history defining career was the 2006 Flight Stakes. On this able record in the Flight Stakes. Join Gai and 2005 spring. fine October day in 2006, the team at the Magic Millions sales from from barrier 17 managed to position Cheeky January 8 to 14 2014 and you never know, Cheeky Choice (Redoute’s Choice x Choice firstly outside the leader, then even- you might leave owning a percentage of a Christchurch) was purchased by Gai at the tually in the lead. The filly showed all her future Flight Stakes winner. The form guide 2005 Magic Millions sales for $200,000. tenacity to not only hold on to win after says you have a big chance!

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 9 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Antony Thompson & Widden Stud

Widden Stud is widely known as one of the most successful thoroughbred studs in Australia. Zeb Armstrong interviews Widden owner and breeder, Antony Thompson.

ou are a 7th generation breeder at a with our clients is one example of how we muscled our yearlings are in addition to Ystud that has been in the family for are able to continue to uphold our level of them having great bone but ultimately it is 140 years. The stud has once been home excellence. the level of success on the race track where to three of Australia’s greatest ever horses you are judged and our record for producing in Ajax, Todman and Vain. These three Gai always makes mention of one specific the winners of big races is second to none. horses fit comfortably in the top ten in thing when it comes to promising year- Australian racing history and they all lings; the importance of the paddocks What does a normal day entail during ended up at Widden as sires after their that they are allowed to play and graze in breeding season? brilliant careers were finished. How do which allows them to develop and grow in Long hours and lots of hard work from the you uphold the level of excellence that is their first year. Gai also regularly makes team at Widden. expected at Widden in this age of compet- mention of the ground in the Hunter itiveness and technology after being on top Valley and how it is perfect ‘horse country.’ What about during the sales? for over 100 years? What can you tell us about the geography The hours are still long however the work Like all businesses we must continue to of Widden Stud, and the beautiful fenced is not that hard for me as I get to talk to the evolve and reinvest. We have reinvested paddocks where the yearlings spend their buyers while they inspect our yearlings. The heavily into some great young stallions, first year? yearling grooms have very busy days ensur- quality mares, facilities on the farm and the The Widden Valley is very unique, stun- ing each yearling looks magnificent and is people that work here. Having great young ningly beautiful and fertile. As we own over paraded well for each individual inspection. people involved in the stud makes the evolv- 8000 acres we are able to provide lovely ing part much easier as they bring new ideas big paddocks for the young horses to grow Leaving aside the immortal stallions that and technology. Ensuring we implement in and develop. At the sales we commonly have stood at Widden, what is the best this technology to communicate effectively receive feedback on how well-grown and horse that has ever set foot on the

10 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au property? From Marscay to , what are the able that arguably the best of these three A couple of the greatest ever to grace the most noticeable changes in the breeding industries all come from the Hunter. Australian turf in Ajax and Kingston Town industry? How does one relatively small area cope spring to mind as both had incredible race The level of care for both the horses and with three such fundamental Australian records and a huge following. clients is much higher and as a result the industries in almost perfect harmony? breeding industry has become much The wine and horses produced in the How about one of your favourite ‘Widden more labour intensive. Competition is far Hunter have co-existed and complemented Graduates’ in your time in charge? greater than it’s ever been in Australia with each other very well as both industries are There are many on the list. Selling three the introduction of major international environmentally friendly and have quite a recent Caulfield Guineas winners in Helenus, conglomerates to the market. This is why common client base. and Anacheeva gave us huge now more than ever we need to maintain Unfortunately the rapid expansion of satisfaction. Dane Ripper and Sun Classique a very close relationship with our clients. the coal mines in the past ten years has were foaled and raised at Widden and seeing Ultimately, we are in the business to achieve encroached on much of the prime land of them win the Cox Plate and the Dubai success for our clients, produce race horses the Hunter region and is threatening both World Cup was exciting. This year, we of the highest standard and offer stallions the horse and wine industry in some parts. have been enjoying Pitcrew’s success as he that are suited to Australian conditions. It is very important that the Government was Sebring’s first foal and a real character. protects the prime horse land of the Hunter Obviously many of the same team that raced The Hunter Valley is famous for three from any further expansions from these Sebring also race Pitcrew with Gai which is things: wine, horses and coal. It is remark- mines. very fitting.

Todman only ever lost one race (he broke down in his other loss) and it was to Tulloch. The colt was the first and one of the most dominant Golden Slipper win- ners ever. Perhaps the only horse that has Antony and Gai with Sebring been more dominant in the Golden Slipper was Vain. Then there are other Slipper winners Marscay, Stratum and Sebring. All these champions have stood at Widden (Sebring and Stratum currently). Why has Widden always targeted the best Slipper winners? The Golden Slipper is Australia’s sire making race. It is the ultimate test of a young horse’s speed, soundness and constitution. For a colt to be able to cope with this early pressure and excel, it proves they are very sound of mind and limb. These qualities undoubtedly attract the commercial breeders looking to breed a horse that can inherit these import- ant traits.

Gai has the runs on the board to indicate i that she has one of the best eyes for a yearling in the entire industry. How are things at Widden when the Gai juggernaut arrives each year to inspect the yearlings? Gai and her team work very hard at securing the right yearlings and this involves at least two trips to the farm each year to inspect them, as well as many parades at the sales prior to the yearlings being auctioned. They’re a very professional team and we are always pleased to see Gai none more so than my children Amy and Sam who get very excited whenever Gai is coming and there is always a great deal of fun and lots of pranks!

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 11 vale Northern Meteor By ZEB ARMSTRONG

orthern Meteor (Encosta de Lago x city winners Cosmic Endeavour, Zoustar, among others. NExplosive) had just nine starts for Gai Northern Glory, Eurozone and other prom- Sadly Northern Meteor died of colic Waterhouse. His first two starts were less ising horses Equator, The Voice, Bound For recently and we are only left to wonder how than average leading the colt to be given a Earth, Mount Zero and Swing Vote great his legacy may have been..... freshen up by Gai. This little break really switched him on and at his next two starts he broke track records: the 1250m record at Canterbury and the 1200m record at Randwick. Then he won the Group One Coolmore Stakes down the Flemington straight. With these three performances the colt had stamped his papers as a future stallion. He was then sent for a break before coming back with a brilliant fourth first up in the Newmarket at Flemington. After this race Northern Meteor had just three more starts, the best being a second to Takeover Target in the TJ Smith at Randwick. He was then retired and sent to stud. In his brief time at stud Northern Meteor Northern Meteor Bradley Photographers sired Group One winner and promising Waterhouse gelding Romantic Touch, plus

Chris O’Sullivan on Colic Specialist equine surgeon at Randwick Equine Centre, Sydney. (BVSc,MS,Dip ACVS)

olic is a word used to describe that can be a predisposing factor in some large volumes of saliva and gastrointestinal Cabdominal pain. While there are many colic cases. secretions fail to transit to the hind gut potential causes of colic, horses typically Horses evolved on the grass plains and where they are absorbed under normal manifest signs of ‘colic’ similarly. Signs have developed a very gastrointesti- circumstances. typical of a horse with abdominal pain nal system for the digestion of plant material. The horse also does not have a functional include: pawing, flank watching, rolling and The resultant anatomy of their gastrointesti- vomit reflex and obstructions of the fore gut lying down. The intensity of the signs seen nal system is not however without its flaws. can result in stomach rupture and loss of the is directly related to the severity of the pain. Horses have a very mobile large colon that animal. (Figure 1) can end up in the wrong position within the Generally the pain seen in colic is due Colic in young thoroughbred horses in race abdomen or worse twist upon itself. They to tension on the bowel. The tension may training is not common, particularly when also have up to 60 feet of small intestine that occur at the site of the blockage or as a result compared to the general horse population. is spread throughout the abdomen and is rel- of a back up of gas and ingesta oral to the The incidence of colic in the general horse atively mobile. Even in the normal abdomen site. In most cases of colic the normal flow population is somewhere around about there are areas where the bowel can become of ingesta is disrupted. This may be due to a 5% having a colic episode per year. The entrapped or incarcerated. Occasionally temporary loss of co-ordinated bowel move- resultant mortality (death) rate is less than congenital abnormalities can also contribute ment resulting in a failure of normal transit 0.5% per year. In the past, parasites did play to a bowel obstruction or strangulation. or it may be a more permanent disruption to a major role in many cases of colic. With the The horse’s gut is designed to be working the flow of ingesta. These may be due to an advent of effective anthelmintics (wormers) all the time as at pasture horses are grazing intra-luminal obstruction within the bowel combined with worming strategies, parasite approximately 22 of the 24 hours in a day. such as a foreign body, impaction of feed burdens in well maintained thoroughbred Any disruption to this constant transit of material, gravel or sand or an obstruction racehorses are minimal. We do occasionally food immediately results in a back up of due to the bowel being displaced, entrapped still see weanling aged thoroughbreds with gas, fluid and ingesta. Such disruptions also or incarcerated within the abdomen causing parasite burdens, particularly tape worms result in rapid systemic dehydration since an extra-luminal obstruction. Obstructions

12 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au may also affect blood supply to the bowel Figure 1. Uncontrollable rolling is often associated with more severe cases of colic. which can lead to death of that section of the bowel and eventual rupture. Rupture of the bowel within the abdominal cavity in all circumstances results in loss of the animal due to overwhelming peritonitis. The colic case The primary goal of the veterinary examination in a case of colic is to deter- mine the most appropriate treatment. While the cause may not be apparent, the horse should be classified as a case that should be treated medically, or one that would require surgery. This distinction Figure 2. Medical management such as intravenous fluids are required in some m is often difficult to make early in a colic edical cases and most surgical cases of colic. episode. Apart from the history and a basic clinical examination a variety of diagnostic tools are available to the veterinarian including but not limited to nasogastric intubation, rectal examination, ultrasonographic examination, blood work, abdominocentesis (abdominal fluid analysis) and radiography. These tools when used appropriately contribute to the decision making process. Medical colic cases The majority of colic cases fall into this category, with most responding to one Figure 3. Surgical colic cases require a large well trained team to maximise dose of analgesics (pain killers). Others successful outcomes. will require more supportive therapy including oral fluids, mineral oil or cathartics (such as magnesium sulfate) in order to resolve the problem. Occasionally horses will require hospitalisation in order to be monitored and treated appropri- ately with the occasional case requiring intravenous fluid support and electrolyte replacement. (Figure 2) Surgical colic cases Occasionally a colic case will require surgical intervention. The key to success in surgical cases is early identification and rapid correction of the problem (Figures Figure 4. The large colon is a large and mobile structure, as seen here with the 3 and 4). It is these surgical cases, that if majority of the colon exteriorised out of the abdomen on a purpose built tray. not identified and dealt with appropriately initially, will have a poor to grave prog- nosis. Even a couple of hours can make the difference between a good and grave prognosis. For this reason it is important for all colic cases to be properly assessed by a veterinarian in order to identify potential surgical cases as early as possible. The success rates for surgical colic have improved dramatically over the last 20 years with improvements in pre-opera- tive, intra-operative and post operative management of these cases. An uncom- plicated surgical case should be able to re-enter race training as early as 60 days after surgery.

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 13 Extra... Extra... Read all about it

By ZEB ARMSTRONG

ever won the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup in the same year. It’s A Dundeel, like Fiorente and Puissance de Lune and all the other horses nominated for these races certainly have a big job ahead of them if history is anything to go by. There are dozens of other horses, many of whom are Group One winners that are fast getting fit and waiting to start It’s a Dundeel Bradley Photographers their spring cam- paigns. Glencadam Gold, Carlton house, Shoot Out, pring is on the forefront of everyone’s months. Super Cool, Commanding Jewel, Green Smind because it is currently freezing, The Golden Rose will be upon us very Moon and Happy Trails are all in work and and also because a few of the better horses soon in Sydney and this usually provides getting fitter each day. These are just a few of are starting to make it back to the track. one of the best and most competitive Group the known horses that will excite the masses Puissance de Lune, the current Melbourne One races for the year. come the spring. Cup favourite and potential Spring drawcard There is always a certain mystery about There may yet be a horse pop up that no returned with an effortless win in the Group whether or not the gun two-year-olds from one knows anything about that will take Two Lawrence Stakes. Fellow Melbourne the previous season will come back and be all before it like Savabeel did in 2004 or So Cup fancy Fiorente is back. The stunning the best three-year-olds. Overreach from the You Think did in 2009. It is indeed a very entire has been training the house down at Waterhouse yard and Miracles of Life from exciting time of year. Randwick. Adelaide are the two major winners from Tommy Berry is back from Hong Kong The Melbourne Cup has already started last season, and both will be seen back at and riding winners galore, while its annual Australia wide tour en-route to the track very soon and both are generating has had a minor operation on his knee but Flemington in preparation for one of the plenty of excitement. is back, and already in-form. estimated 150 nominations to claim it come Atlantic Jewel has already made a huge will be back before we know it, while Nash 3pm, on the first Tuesday in November return from a long term injury by winning Rawiller and Hugh Bowman are coming off 2013. This is a fabulous initiative from the the Memsie Stakes. This mare is unbeaten a great premiership battle. is as VRC because it starts the hype for the race in her eight starts and has come back really hungry as ever and last year’s Melbourne that stops a nation nice and early. well and looks as big and as fit as ever. Cup quinella jockeys Brett Prebble (Hong Fiorente and Puissance De Lune will be Then there is It’s A Dundeel. This four Kong) and James McDonald (New Zealand) much discussed in the coming months, but time Group One winner is at the top of the are both on Australian shores. there are at least 150 other horses that will Cox Plate market and a definite Melbourne The jockeys are ready, the horses are carry someone’s dreams and someone else’s Cup fancy. Only Makybe Diva, , getting fit and the races are getting richer. hard earned at some stage in the next few Nightmarch, and have Spring is coming and we cannot wait.

14 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH The Great snowman

By ZEB ARMSTRONG he winner of the coveted ‘Performance The Great Snowman the rockabilly singer beaten in the straight, The Great Snowman Tof the Month’ award for this issue states that Jimmy aka The Great Snowman, found more in the final furlong to come back of Gai’s Gazette is The Great Snowman ‘had good looks and a big fine car. He went and win. He did not just break the hearts (Brilliance x Penelope Pitstop) after the sta- around breaking all the girlie’s hearts.’ of the fillies in the field but of the geldings ble favourite strung together two great wins as well. He was beaten. He had done all the and a second after looking to be completely hard work, the field had swamped him and out of form. The Great Snowman, named he was gone. Nash would have been for- after the Bob Luman song of the same name, “He gave everything he had given had he decided to accept his fate and was completely out of form after returning and again he did everyone glide his mount to the finish line for a nice from a spell; there is no other way to say it. proud. That ‘will to win’ is well fought fourth or fifth. But no - Nash The gelding had run a ninth, then a fourth just so special.....” was going for four winners in a row and he then a tenth. Then all of a sudden on a heavy somehow got The Great Snowman to dig 9 track at Warwick Farm, Nash Rawiller deep, perhaps deeper than the gelding ever found the best ground aboard the gelding had before, and they got off the canvas as a and steered him to a tremendous win. The The equine version of The Great Snowman team to regain the lead and win. Great Snowman was wide early, then certainly shares Jimmy’s good looks and he The Great Snowman is an example of a found the lead, then was wide again. To the definitely has an engine like a big fine car. As horse that any trainer would be happy to untrained eye it looked as if Nash was sitting for breaking the hearts of the girls, well this train and any owner would be happy to out four wide for no real reason, but really is exactly what The Great Snowman did in own. He gives his best on any track surface he was just making use of the best ground. his second win; this time Randwick was the over any distance at any venue. At the time It was a great ride and a credit to both horse venue and the win marked four in a row for of print, The Great Snowman had just been and jockey. The Great Snowman did his best Nash Rawiller on the day and gave Gai an beaten by half an inch in a good race at by galloping beautifully and Nash played his early double on her way to four for the day Randwick to run a brilliant second place part by navigating onto the best part of the also. after having a wide run from a bad barrier. track. The result was a one length win, but Yes the field that The Great Snowman beat Again, the gelding could have wilted but more importantly it was a big confidence this day was half mares and half males, so instead he gave everything he had and again boosting win for The Great Snowman. there were definitely some girls left with he did everyone proud. That ‘will to win’ is In the second verse of the Bob Luman song broken hearts after the race. Despite looking just so special.

Mark Newnham, Nash Rawiller, Motto Hosoya and Greg Kolivos with The Great Snowman Bradley Photographers

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 15 The Private Track Debate

By rob waterhouse

As TJ said, “many rich people have put fortunes into private facilities and have stocked them with expensive animals which have under performed.....”

concede this piece is an unashamed little bits of - and constantly threatened to do ‘two-year-old-centric’. Iadvertorial for my dear wife, Gai, but I more - damage to herself in her sales stable The test say: private training tracks are a myth. and in the scoping box. I’m pleased to report, The question is easy to settle. You just need Most people would reject that notion. They having seen her only a fortnight ago, that she the statistics! I think there are three main see the argument in these terms: ‘Horses are is a different filly entirely, who has settled parameters to examine: naturally paddock dwellers, city tracks and into her environment, does her work calmly · Prize money, and better, average stables must be bad; country, private tracks and cooperatively in those idyllic training prize money per runner must be good’. It is almost ‘motherhoodish!’ surroundings and enjoys her daily sessions · Median class As A. B. Patterson summed up our innate out of her box in a paddock. · The win or loss from backing them love of the bush when he wrote: As TJ said, many rich people have put for- In figure 1.0 I’ve chosen the seven most And the bush hath friends to meet him, and tunes into private facilities and have stocked prominent ‘private track’ trainers in their kindly voices greet him them with expensive animals which have blue, and the four most prominent ‘ublic In the murmur of the breezes and the river under performed (an arguable exception is racecourse’ trainers. I’ve only named the on its bars, Lloyd Williams’ training complex – a total rarely-seen Robert Hickmott (who trains And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit passion for Mr. Williams). Additionally, all privately for Mr. Williams) and Gai. A clear plains extended, the major stallion stations support, own or victory, ignoring the shy Robert Hickmott, And at night the wondrous glory of the are building private tracks. Remarkable. And for the public track trainers. The median everlasting stars. confounding. Especially as the studs are so average prize money is more than double. Private tracks would appear to have lots of advantages, like being able to train all day, no FIGURE 1.0 Represents the last five years and “runner” is for one year. pressure, everything as a trainer would want it, etc. Moreover, private training is totally TRAINER STATE RUNNERS PRIZE MONEY AVE PRIZE MONEY the norm in Europe in general and England 1. Robert Hickmott VIC 756 $ 15,043,020 $ 19,898 in particular. Works well there. 2. PRIVATE VIC 356 $ 2,215,000 $ 6,222 I remember putting the ‘private track 3. PRIVATE VIC 517 $ 1,685,978 $ 3,261 argument’ to Gai’s dad, Tommy Smith, 35 4. PRIVATE SA 988 $ 5,170,849 $ 5,234 years ago. It seemed self-evident to me 5. PRIVATE VIC 6,445 $ 31,657,002 $ 4,912 then. Tommy dismissed me very smartly: 6. PRIVATE NSW 1,101 $ 6,443,285 $ 5,852 “They’re all failures. They pour fortunes 7. PRIVATE VIC 582 $ 677,965 $ 1,165 into them. All do no good.” The champion 8. Gai Waterhouse NSW 3,376 $ 56,732,413 $ 16,805 trainer added: “I chose 16 Bowral Street, 9. PUBLIC VIC 4,652 $ 55,432,766 $ 11,916 not just because Phar Lap had been stabled 10. PUBLIC NSW 5,191 $ 51,015,690 $ 9,828 there, but because the stable is beside a noisy 11. PUBLIC NSW/VIC 6,261 $ 63,763,267 $ 10,184 school, with bells ringing and kids shouting. Good for racehorses. Prepares them for race FIGURE 1.1 Represents two-year-olds over the last five years, “runner” is for one year. day.” He won a few premierships. And had AVE PRIZE extraordinary wisdom. TRAINER STATE RUNNERS RUNNERS PRIZE MONEY MONEY But how a respected advisor sees it The private training track argument was 1. PRIVATE VIC 756 43 $ 109,863 $ 2,555 succinctly put recently by a respected 2. PRIVATE VIC 356 15 $ 24,765 $ 1,651 bloodstock agent writing to Gai, explaining 3. PRIVATE VIC 517 34 $ 59,225 $ 1,742 his decision to send two well-bred fillies to 4. PRIVATE SA 988 131 $ 1,065,525 $ 8,134 a private training track, saying in part: “‘kin- 5. PRIVATE VIC 6,445 880 $ 5,307,982 $ 6,032 dergarten-to-covering’ system, which offers 6. PRIVATE NSW 1,101 99 $ 962,390 $ 9,721 an idyllic breaking, training and spelling 7. PRIVATE VIC 582 25 $ 224,867 $ 8,995 environment that obviates the necessity 8. Gai Waterhouse NSW 3,376 493 $ 14,376,253 $ 29,161 (and associated risks) of intermittent travel 9. PUBLIC VIC 4,652 495 $ 5,766,702 $ 11,650 between and adaptation to new properties.” 10. PUBLIC NSW 5,191 340 $ 3,011,220 $ 8,857 One was a tautly-strung sales filly who did 11. PUBLIC NSW/VIC 6,261 879 $ 12,798,668 $ 14,560

16 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au Two-year-olds are much better at public tracks Two-year-old racing is the dominant part of racing. It is where the money is: on the track and in the breeding barn. You only have to look at the Gai-made stallions, such as etc., to realise – that’s where the money is. A deafening victory for public trainers with two-year-olds ( Figure 1.1). My median class ratings, over five years, tell the same story (Figure 1.2). The pattern is clear. (It should be explained, two-year-olds [and three-year- olds], not adjusted for weight-for-age in the “Workers were shocked to be told, contrary to their firmly table, bring class up quite a bit – Gai’s figures held beliefs, as a cohort, they just weren’t as productive. are better than they look). Perhaps, it’s the same with horses.....” Punters should care (but get it wrong) Now look at the betting, over five years. Figure 1.3 measures perception. (Gai’s pop- ularity doesn’t help, it depresses her prices). FIGURE 1.2 Represents two-year-olds over the last five years, “runner” is for one year. Again, there is a clear victory to public trainers TRAINER STATE MEDIAN CLASS RATING and an ‘annihilation’ with the babies. 1. PRIVATE VIC 18 Value of stock 2. PRIVATE VIC 29 It might be said: “Gai has Ferraris, private 3. PRIVATE VIC 29 trainers get the Minnie Minors.” It is not quite 4. PRIVATE SA 25 true. Figure 1.4 shows the average yearling 5. PRIVATE VIC 28 costs of horses in training with the same train- 6. PRIVATE NSW 31 ers, over the same five years. These figures 7. PRIVATE VIC 27 are not perfect, one of the private trainers has 8. Gai Waterhouse NSW 21 most of his stock from overseas at high prices. 9. PUBLIC VIC 20 But the figures show, city trainers’ stock is not 10. PUBLIC NSW 17 much different to the private track trainers. 11. PUBLIC NSW/VIC 22 “But he’s come good, now” Some might say: “Oh, so and so has got it FIGURE 1.3 Represents the betting over five years right now. It will be different from now on.” My most-recent three month figures show no TRAINER STATE WIN/LOSS (ALLAGES) WIN/LOSS (2YOS) evidence of any up-swing. 1. PRIVATE VIC -5% -44% The Past 2. PRIVATE VIC -8% -61% In the past, there are many private track 3. PRIVATE VIC -18% -68% trainers who have under performed. Just 4. PRIVATE SA -24% -38% a few years ago, a Hall-of-Fame Victorian 5. PRIVATE VIC -28% -36% trainer moved to his private track and failed. 6. PRIVATE NSW -11% -1% His brother took over but that was back at 7. PRIVATE VIC -4% -47% Caulfield. Similarly, about fifteen years ago, 8. Gai Waterhouse NSW -11% -12% the leading Queensland trainer went to his 9. PUBLIC VIC -7% -2% own facilities with poor results, until he died 10. PUBLIC NSW -13% -15% in 2009. 11. PUBLIC NSW/VIC -15% -5% Why? The fascinating question is why do private FIGURE 1.4 Represents the average yearling costs. track trainers under perform? Legendary TRAINER STATE COST NUMBER Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer, early this year ordered all “remote” employees to revert 1. PRIVATE VIC $ 87,683 385 to working at Yahoo offices. “Stay-at-home” 2. PRIVATE VIC $ 116,036 111 workers were shocked to be told, contrary to 3. PRIVATE VIC $ 33,122 74 their firmly held beliefs, as a cohort, they just 4. PRIVATE SA $ 68,480 112 weren’t as productive. Perhaps, it’s the same 5. PRIVATE VIC $ 136,970 1106 with horses. 6. PRIVATE NSW $ 183,682 210 Prize 7. PRIVATE VIC $ 54,258 185 I’d be grateful if anyone can explain the 8. Gai Waterhouse NSW $ 170,489 547 ‘private track curse’? A good prize to the best 9. PUBLIC VIC $ 118,753 666 email helping me understand it! 10. PUBLIC NSW $ 156,456 461 Email me at [email protected] 11. PUBLIC NSW/VIC $ 138,174 317 Statistics from RacingandSports.com

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 17 Nash Rawiller on Romantic Touch Bradley Photographers Future FORECASTS By ZEB ARMSTRONG

omantic Touch (Northern Meteor races. Those who were at Canterbury that no fuss or drama in this Group One win. If Rx Dearness) is back in work after a day could have been forgiven for thinking the horses behind were good enough they brief lay off after winning the Group One Romantic Touch’s close relation and fellow certainly had every chance to get past him, J.J. Atkins Stakes in Brisbane. This Group Gooree owned gelding Desert War had but he just kept giving and giving and never One win made it three back to back victories made a comeback. We all enjoyed Desert really looked like being headed. This win for the gelding. Over 1400m at Warwick War, on so many occasions, bounding also marked Northern Meteor’s first Group Farm while Gai was enjoying her first ever along out the front of the field then turning, One winner as a sire. In fact Northern Warrnambool jumps carnival, Romantic clicking into a higher gear and winning as he Meteor sired the quinella in this race. Touch won by two lengths in an effortless pleased. Romantic Touch has a long way to So what is next for this powerful gelding? performance. The Gooree owned gelding go to emulate his champion relation, but the The Caulfield Guineas looks an ideal race won this race on natural class, because really, way he gallops indicates he is a big chance for him, but there are a multitude of options 1400m is short of his best distance. for more Group One success. Romantic for the newly turned three-year-olds in both At his next start three weeks later at Touch had never been to Brisbane before Sydney and Melbourne over the spring. Canterbury, Romantic Touch won a very he raced in the J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm. Romantic Touch was born to run. He is big, competitive race by 7.5 lengths and was The horse that was considered his major strong and has plenty of heart. He is the eased to the line. This race was over the rival that day had already won the Sires’ in kind of horse that will make sure that if any 1550m and gave connections a big indication Brisbane. However Romantic Touch got horse is to run past him, they would need to that the gelding wanted more distance in his out in front dug deep and won. There was be at their best.

18 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au THE OVERSEAS INFLUENCE By James Harron

he walls are closing in. is Tno longer a sport that can be carried James Harron out in the confines of any one country, but is a global entity and those embracing this will reap the greatest reward. This was evi- denced in no greater way than by this year’s Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom. This colt was born and trained in America, nothing new there, but his trainer is the very English Graham Motion, while his rider, Joel Rosario hails from the Dominican Republic. His sire, Leroidesanimaux was bred, and began his racing career in Brazil, before becoming the Champion Turf Horse in America in 2005. The final link comes back to Australia, with Arrowfield Stud hold- ing a major ownership interest in Animal Kingdom, who will be an interesting addi- tion to the Australian stallion ranks in 2013. Emerging investment has been no more conspicuous than that of the Qatar ruling family, who have been flexing their financial muscle to great effect over the past few years. Hong Kong, South Africa and Macau are unveiling of Eliza Park International earlier One of the early purchases was Melbourne as strong as ever, but only the complacent this month. China and Qatar are not the only Cup winner Dunaden, and the global racing will completely rely upon these markets in countries stepping up their involvement in and breeding industries owe this little geld- the future. Currently, the eyes of the world horse racing. At the Tattersall’s Horses in ing by Nicobar plenty. His success has got to are on China, which remains the biggest Training sale last year, the biggest of its kind, be a major factor in what has been the rapid unchartered frontier when it comes to horse horses were sold to over thirty different growth of a stable of horses for several mem- racing and breeding. China now boasts countries, from the traditional venues bers of the Qatari ruling family, with Group the second-largest economy in the entire such as Australia, America and Hong Kong, One winners such as Lightning Pearl and world behind the United States, and with to more obscure localities such as Libya, Toronado, and, like Toronado, big in-training economic growth rates averaging around ten Kazakhstan and Russia. The Melbourne Cup purchases such as this year’s French classic percent over the past thirty years, there are a is becoming testament to this increasing winners Style Vendome and Treve bolster- huge number of wealthy people increasingly globalization of horse racing, and is a trend ing their roster. It is to be hoped that their looking to spend their time on luxury leisure to be embraced, as the more people that investment continues to be rewarded by activities. The purchase of Eliza Park by the understand and love our amazing sport, the the success it deserves. Outside investment Sun International Group sends out a strong better, even if it does mean it is harder to in bloodstock has been a big part of the message that China is going to become a win! The walls may be closing in, but the Australian racing and breeding business for huge force in the racing and breeding world, time has come to respond by knocking them many years, the most traditional outlets of further evidenced by their spectacular down.

Bradley Photographers Contact us on: (02) 4868 1433 The best way to commemorate your win B (02) 4868 3794 P PO Box 18, Moss Vale NSW 2577 Simply register your details and start purchasing online at www.bradleyphotos.com.au

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 19 Instinction_Layout 1 3/09/13 10:50 AM Page 1

INSTINCTION JOINS Eliza Park International in Qld by David Bay

HE sale of Eliza Park to the Hong Kong- based investment group Sun International Tin late June is already paying dividends for Queensland breeders with news that talented sprinter Instinction (Exceed and Excel-De Lago Mist by Encosta de Lago) has joined the stud’s roster in the Sunshine State. He will command a fee of $5500. Instinction joins Love Conquers All and Monashee Mountain (USA) on the Queensland roster at the renamed Eliza Park International and he is retiring with the news that his sire, a dual Gr.1-wining sprinter by Danehill (USA), is Australia’s Champion Sire by earnings or 2012-13. Instinction’s dam is by a dual Champion Australian Sire in Encosta de Lago (Fairy King (USA)) and won two races, both Group events, the VRC Sires’ Produce-Gr.2 and the SAJC Breeders’ Stakes-Gr.3, at two. She was also third in the Moonee Valley Oaks Classic- Gr.2 and fourth in the AJC Sires’ Produce-Gr.1 and Champagne Stakes-Gr.1. Instinction is the only named foal of De Lago Mist, but she has fillies by and Redoute’s Choice and a colt by Redoute’s Choice waiting in the wings. Trained by Mick Price, Instinction took five sales and nominations managerMark Lindsay runs to break his maiden, winning over 1479m described Instinction as “a terrific addition De Lago Mist is out of the durable In The at Kyneton on October 18, 2011 after placing to our lineup and the right type of horse for Mist (Southern Appeal (USA)-Ceres Mist by second at his previous outing. He then stepped Queensland”. Instinction has Northern Dancer Plush (NZ)), whose 10 wins included four straight into stakes company, beating Mahisara 4m,4mx4m and his dam Natalma Listed events in South Australia and she was and Amah Rock into the minors when winning 5m,5f,5mx5m. also runner-up at Gr.2 level. Her sister, the VRC Hilton Hotels Stakes-LR (1400m, This is family 7d and this branch arrived in Southern Sprinter, is the dam of stakes winner 1:24.75) next time out (November 5). Put Fragmentation (Snippets), in turn dam of NZ with the importation of Lady Wayward II away until January 26, the speedy grey beat (GB) (Ladas-Vane by Orme) in the early 1900s. Gr.1 winner Wanted (Fastnet Rock), the Specter and Petman in the MRC Zeditave -Gr.1 winner who is Her dam is a sister to the English Triple Crown Stakes-LR (1200m, 1:09.37). He dead-heated winner and sire Flying Fox, and Lady on the roster at Eliza Park International in for third with Highly Recomended behind Wayward’s descendants in Australasia include Victoria, and Gr.2 winner and Gr.1 placed That’s The One and Decircles in the VRC C.S. dual Derby winner Sovereign Red and his Shrapnel (Charge Forward), who retired to Hayes Stakes-Gr.3(1410m) on February 18 and -Melbourne Cup-winning Kooringal Stud, Wagga in 2012. was tipped out after a mid-field run in the brother Gurner’s Lane (Sir Tristram), Newmarket Handicap-Gr.1 and Invitation AustralianGuineas-Group.1 behind Mosheen. winner Arctic Symbol and Stakes-Gr.1 winner Exceed and Excel (ex NZ Cup winner Calibrate. Instinction won again in October 2012 when Patrona (USA) by Lomond), a dual hemisphere successful in the MRC S-LR Instinction’s fifth dam Encircle (Moondust sire for Darley (fee $88,000), has left more than (1400m, 1:23.0) and had finished sixth of (GB)-Revolve by Solar Bear (GB)) is a half- 600 winners (71SW) since retiring to stud sister to SAJC Derby winner Ralkon (Star of in 2004 and enjoyed a remarkable season in Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Gr.1(1400m) behind Moment of Change at his previous outing. Baroda (GB)) and is the dam of a flying 2012-13 with 138 winners (17SW) of $11.08m Queensland-based juvenile of the mid-1960s to mid-July to lead two other Danehill sons, He was also third in the MRC Regal Roller called Memory’s Dream (Coronation Boy Fastnet Rock and Commands, by a comfortable Stakes-LR, and retired with four wins, a second (GB)), who won a C.E. McDougall Stakes and margin on the general sires’ list. He was and two thirds in 18 starts for earnings also of smart SA juvenile Time Circle (Ragtime also Leading Sire of Two Year-Olds with of $274,160. (GB)), who won a Cinderella Stakes-LR, 16 winners (27 wins) of $5.29m including Trainer Mick Price called Instinction “an Morphettville Plate-LR and Dequetteville the Golden Slipper heroine Overreach and exceptional type . . . a real bull and correct in Stakes-LR and whose sister Racice is the fourth runner-up Sidestep. every way”, while Eliza Park International’s dam of Instinction. I

This article is reproduced by exclusive arrangement with Bluebloods magazine For more information visit bluebloods.com.au Please note the statistical information was relevant at the time this article was first published www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 2721 BEHIND THE SCENES

With jockey Thomas Huet

By MADISON WHANT

rench sensation Thomas Huet has been in Australia a short five months and Falready he is making his mark in Australian racing with his first Stakes win for his career here in Sydney at Rosehill Gardens. Bradley Photographers

hy did you come to Australia? heavy. But I prefer to ride on a good track. the first chances but I can assure you, if I WIt was a long dream for me and have the opportunity to ride a good race for Maelle to come to Australia. Probably four You have a very good strike rate at the the team, the French jockey will be there to years ago, I met Paul Messara in Deauville minute in Sydney. How do you go about win! during the summer and asked him if I could maintaining this? ride for him during the winter season. But, Yes, I have a very good strike rate and partic- Have you ridden any of Gai’s European just before the winter, I had some good ularly with Gai’s horses. Working very hard imports at the stable? propositions and chose to stay in France. everyday is the only solution. I continue to I rode Carlton House during his last trial in It was a good choice in fact because I won improve myself, ride correctly and get the Randwick. It was an impressive win with a around fifteen races during a meeting in confidence around the trainers and the own- real turn of foot like a lot of French horses. the south of France, ending with the Grand ers. I think for a good strike rate you need to He is probably one of the best soldiers Prix! Last year, I won a couple of Group ride the good horses. Horses are the jockeys of the team for the up-coming Spring. races in France and rode in the French not the opposite. Michelangelo is an English horse and I’m Derby. In September, I had finally nothing sure he has a lot of potential to do a great very exciting for the winter and Maelle and You recently experienced your first Stakes job too. I chatted together and the decision was very win here in the Winter Stakes riding quick after that. Under the Sun. Have you been working Do you find any differences in the with Under the Sun for a while and was it European imports temperaments or per- Did you plan to come directly to Gai or a good feeling to have that work come to formance compared to those raised from was that something that came later? fruition? yearlings at Gai’s stables? Not really straight to Gai, but during the first The first Stakes winner is very important for The training method here is different two months I had high hopes of coming every jockey. I was very lucky to ride Under because the races are different. The horses straight to the best of the best or to at least The Sun in the Winter Stakes this year and in Gai’s stable are very quiet and nice to ride. one of the best Australian trainers. I sent an win with him. I would like to thank the Of all 140 horses in the stables, I think only email to Gai and she invited Maelle and me owner Mr Henderson and Gai for this big ten percent of them are difficult horses. to come to work for her. opportunity. It was a great moment for me, They are just difficult because they are winning my first Stakes race after just 90 strong. In France you can ride a lot of very You have been here five months now, how rides. It was fantastic! Under The Sun is very difficult horses. Mostly they are strong and are you finding the differences between nice and a brave soldier. I ride him probably not very cooperative. European racing and Australian racing? four times a week so it is a second satisfac- During this first five months I rode on tion to obtain such a good result with him! How would you describe Gai? Is there a twelve or thirteen different tracks and I’m European equivalent? very happy about the chance to ride on a What other horses are coming up nicely It’s impossible to compare Gai with any few different tracks! I am very happy about that you are very excited about riding in other trainer! Gai is an incredible woman. this opportunity. A difference is probably the spring? First she’s a real horse woman. She knows all the right hand. In NSW you ride only on the I recently won with Mr Jackman in a very the horses and she understands the horses. right turn. In France, every day you change good style. I’m sure he can improve more She has a huge sense of case and an incredi- the turn, and sometimes you ride on a and will have a good chance during the ble relational sense. straight track like Maison Laffitte. Australian spring. Lots of horses at Tulloch Lodge races are very quick generally. In Australia will be ready and probably hard to beat You have a very good record back in we have a lot of races between 6f and 8f but during the spring, especially in Sydney and France. Do you have any all-time favour- in France it’s more between 8f and 12f. And Melbourne. Gai is the boss and she deals the ites you rode? the last real difference, in France we never cards for the rides. My last good horse in France was Top Trip. I scratch the races because the track is too The team is big and Nash and Tommy ride won a Grade Two with him before finishing

22 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au

“If I were to compare Gai with a French trainer, it would probably be Andre Fabre for the results, the records and the regularity and Robert Collet for the exuberance!” fifth in the Derby with him. I was very Of course the betting is here like every- the team, for the owners and for Gai. When happy for his trainer Francois Doumen and where. The newspapers speak everyday Gai says to the people I am a real asset of his owner when he finished so close to third about the races like the rugby. In France we course I am very proud of myself to be so in the Gold Cup at Ascot. I read the French also have some interviews just for the big highly congratulated. news every day and maybe my next cham- races like the Arc de Triomphe. In Australia I ride every morning with Nash pion can come from France. Melbourne the races seem very much like a sport more Rawiller, Tommy Berry, Neil Paine, Adam Cup? Why not? so than in France. The jockeys are mediated Hyeronimus and all the jockeys who come a lot more here. In Australia I think the for the gallop and it is a real pleasure. I work Which trainer did you ride for before you people love this sport. I’m very happy when very hard to be given the chance to ride a came to Australia, to Gai’s team? I ride a winner and the people applaud just maximum number of winners. I worked for a lot of good trainers in France. for the show. This notion of racing as a sport I work hard to be a contender. In the sport My last season I worked for Mr Doumen. It has disappeared a little in France..... and in the races we have no friends. If you was very interesting to work with him. He want to have a name and win you need to is a very respectable man who was the first You have been described as having a very be the best. I work and I respect the people French trainer to win the Cheltenham Gold bright future at Tulloch lodge, and Gai around me, but on the track I’m a jockey and Cup in England. He gave me a lot of oppor- herself has labelled you a real asset to her a winner! tunities and he was the first to push me to stable. How does it feel to be recognized as travel and to try this Australian challenge. a rising contender among the likes of Nash Do you plan to continue your racing career I have also worked for Mikel Delzangle, Rawiller and Tommy Berry? in Australia if you can? Dunaden’s trainer. I rode a lot of winners I’m very happy to be accepted among the I’m very happy about my results from the for him. With him I was given the chance to jockeys and the team so quickly. It is never last five months. I begin the new season win for the Wildenstein stable, His Highness easy to arrive as a challenger and still be to do better and hopefully find my place the Aga Khan and many others. accepted. amoung the Metropolitan jockeys. All the people working for Gai were very I am currently preparing for my English Australian’s follow the racing industry friendly with me straight away. I wake up test for my visa. After, we will see what quite vigorously, is this the case in France? every morning with a big motivation for happens but I definitely love this place and What are the major industry differences? improving the horses I ride and to gallop for will stay if I can.

Thomas Huet on Under the Sun Bradley Photographers

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 23 BEHIND THE SCENES

With stable manager MEL NORTON

By MADISON WHANT

ow did you come to be the senior “Horses are like people - they all have their own personality. Hforeman at Desert War? I find it quite easy to read them and it doesn’t take me long I have been with Gai for eleven years to work out the friendly from the dangerous.....” now. I had worked with horses a long time and come away with a lot of experience. I already knew Gai through my father who this part of my work as it gives me a great Afternoon feeds are extremely important as was a track supervisor at Randwick and this sense of satisfaction when the horses start I have to keep a close eye on what they eat was how I got in to racing. I worked with to put on condition and perform well whilst overnight and whether they are leaving it. I John Size for four and a half years and was in my care. Sometimes it is frustrating when also go to the new stable called Sugar Rush lucky enough to be given opportunities to I try everything and the horse doesn’t start Lodge and top up their feeds making sure travel interstate with his horses. So racing to improve but I enjoy the challenge and I everything is in order. I swim a couple of definitely wasn’t new to me. I started at always find a way in the end. horses in the afternoon and make sure all Gai’s main stable working in all areas before medical treatments have been tended to, for being moved to the far side where I ran my Take us through a typical day for you from example bandaging, clay, boils, sore mouths, own section of 16 horses. I spent a while the moment your alarm goes off? heels, feet etc. I always do a round ensuring there and then was given the opportunity to My alarm usually goes off just before 2:00am. all horses are comfortable, fed and let go move to Tempest Morn as senior foreman I arrive at work around 2:15am where I before I leave. in charge of 29 horses. In this role I had a write up my board for the morning. I then lot of opportunities including trips away to do the rounds with the nebulizer (puffer) You also strap at the races, any recent win- both the Brisbane and Melbourne carnivals. for those horses needing it and put four ners that were particularly special for you? A couple of years ago I moved to Desert War horses on the walker. I walk around the yard I love strapping at the races, I find it so as senior foreman and I haven’t looked back. tying the horses up and remove their feed rewarding when I spend a lot of time caring bins to monitor which horses have eaten for a horse. I really enjoy presenting the You have multiple roles working for Gai. and which haven’t. While I am doing this I horses as best as I can and knowing that the What are they? give their legs a quick check over to make horse is going to the races as good as it can I am lucky enough to have a job I really sure there are no significant cuts, swelling or look. My most recent winner was with Sugar enjoy; my roles include running Desert War other abnormalities that need my attention. Rush who won a maiden at Newcastle. She (managing 25 horses) and the important I make up all the feed mixtures for the is one of my favourite horses so it was a real job of the tie up stalls every morning. I am morning then I go through and make sure all thrill. responsible for getting all 140 horses out to hands are on deck. By this time it is 3:20am the middle. You have to be really on the ball and I text Gai to let her know I’m ready to each morning and make sure riders are on go with any changes before I ring all the Do you have any favourites at Desert War? suitable horses. It is very important that all foreman to make sure everyone is OK with I have a few - Sugar Rush, Carlton House horses are worked each morning, so if we staffing. I then go through the schedule with and Forever Loved are very special to me. don’t operate well from our end the middle my junior foreman Motto who is in charge Stable favourites Overreach, The Great is affected too. It is a big task and is made while I am at the stalls. I head to the stalls Snowman and the old Boy Reuben Percival much easier by my number one girl Georgie at 3:50am and for the next three and a half all deserve a mention. We are a tight group Spencer. One of my most important special- hours it’s all go getting all the horses out to and all 25 horses are cared for as if they were ties for Gai is concentrating on those horses the middle and home. I usually finish around our own. that need special attention. Gai sends all 7:45am and head back into Desert War and horses that are losing condition and under see Motto. He informs me if there have been What about some of your all-time performing to Desert War. I keep a close eye any problems and then Leanne Begg the vet favourites? on them providing an environment in which lets me know if we had any sore horses and There are plenty of all time favourites, they can relax. I change their surroundings, how to treat them. Grand Armee, Desert War, Dance Hero and put them in the day yard and change their We come back at 11:45am. I put some more recently Pierro and , none feeds to get them eating. I especially enjoy horses on the walker then do the feeds. of which resided at my stable but I had the

24 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au Mel Norton (centre) with Sugar Rush and admirers Bradley Photographers

pleasure of handling and working with all running well without winning and it was incredible ability to read the horses and of them. nearing the end of the carnival. Gai was their temperaments despite having never going to bring her home and I told her she ridden them yourself. Tulloch Lodge had a treble at Warwick had done too well to go home just yet. She Horses are like people they all have their Farm early in July. Gai made a point of looked fantastic and she was jumping out own personality. I find it quite easy to read singing your praises (along with John of her skin. Gai was away at the time and them and it doesn’t take me long to work out Livingstone and Mark Newnham) in listened to everything I had to say and put the nasty, the friendly, the more dangerous regards to the success. How does it feel her in the Ipswich Cup. She went on to win and the calm. I also rely quite strongly on the to know you are so highly regarded by a by four lengths. feedback of the riders who are constantly trainer as renowned as Gai? making me aware of the more difficult rides. I feel very privileged to be in the role and it You work sometimes seven days a week. means a lot that she respects and appreciates Do you find even on your days off you like I think it is safe to say you have been my work and most of all my opinion. I am to check up on everything? party to some very momentous occasions very fortunate to work so closely with Gai. I always find at some point I will call and throughout Gai’s racing history. Does the check up on everything but I try not to go to whole team come together to celebrate the Gai obviously values your opinion and the stables on my afternoon off. I’m always victories? knowledge. Can you describe an occasion around though and usually get a phone call. Overreach winning the Golden Slipper this when your opinion has shone through and year was fantastic! It was such a big thrill produced a good result? Your work at the tie up stalls each morning for me and everyone. The team loves to get Gai does value my opinion and that means is important for Gai, you are not only together for the celebrations that Gai puts a lot to me. responsible for the flow of the morning on for us each year. We have a great team One time that springs to mind was a mare but you must also decide which riders are of staff and whether it is a Group One or a I had in Brisbane for the carnival. She was suitable for which horses. Explain your maiden, everyone enjoys each win.

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 25 BACK IN THE DAY

Tommy Smith Bradley Photographers Grant Vandenberg with T.J. Smith

e has been called the Napoleon asleep in class and was caned for it. Australia to pay half a million dollars for a Hof the racetrack, the Henry Ford At age 11, when the teacher roused him horse, and the first to win $1 million prize of horseracing, the king of the course. from a deep sleep to receive his usual pun- money in a season. When Penthouse sent Disgruntled punters have thought of other ishment, Tommy decided he’d had enough. Grant Vandenberg to Tommy’s Point Piper titles for T.J. Smith MBE, but no-one can He jumped out the window and on to his home for this interview, the trainer was in deny that he is the most successful race- horse, and never rode back that way again. hot pursuit of his third Melbourne Cup. horse trainer that the world has known. Now he goes to work in a Rolls Royce. Smith is a winner, as are the many staunch In 1937 Smith became apprenticed to a Vandenberg: By the time this interview is Smith followers who have invested hun- trainer, Mack Sawyer. He’d always wanted printed the Melbourne Cup will be over, and dreds of millions on horses from his Tulloch to be a jockey, but couldn’t ride for pea- it will be interesting to see how accurate Lodge stable. He has taken out the last 30 nuts – although today he instructs the your predictions are. Do you see yourself Australian metropolitan trainers’ premier- best jockeys in the land on how to ride his bringing the Melbourne Cup back to Sydney ships, trained 30 Derby winners throughout horses. He lasted two years as an apprentice this year? the country and 4000 city winners, and before breaking his leg in a heavy fall which Smith: I have a great chance again this year accumulated $25 million in prize money. forced him to retire from riding. Forty-three with my team racing the way it is at the These are all world records. It is no longer years later he carries the mark of that crash, moment. Kingston Town is going great guns, meaningful, then, to compare Tommy Smith walking with a pronounced limp. Tommy but naturally the Melbourne Cup is run in with other horse trainers. He is a cut above. continued to work for Sawyer as a strapper Melbourne and he much prefers the Sydney The media effort to comprehend Smith’s at Randwick, then went to Cootamundra way of racing. But he’s had a long rest, has incredible success has focused on his to help his boss’s father look after a small matured a lot, and could be even more uncanny instinct in the matter of horse flesh. team of horses. There he met up with an suited down there. Often he has correctly predicted, on first unfashionable rogue of a horse named Vandenberg: You won your first Melbourne seeing a yearling frolicking in a paddock, that Bragger. None of the horse breakers would Cup in 1955 with Toporoa. Surprisingly, it he would turn the horse into a champion go anywhere near Bragger, who was allowed took you 26 years to win your second, last thoroughbred. And no better example exists to run wild in the hills. The challenge year with Just A Dash. Was it frustrating to of his ability as a trainer than Kingston became too great for Tommy. He eventually wait so long to win another Melbourne Cup? Town, the first horse ever to pass the million ran the horse into a stockyard, lassooed him, Smith: It’s a race I’ve never really concen- dollar mark in prize money. The King was chocked him down and bolted him into trated on. I don’t just train a horse for one so plain-looking that he was passed in after a stable. The horse had ability and Smith race; I train horses as the races come along. failing to meet his reserve price as a yearling. knew it. He paid 100 pounds for Bragger Last year was the only time I’ve really set a Born at Jembaicumbene, near Braidwood and twelve months later had him ready to horse to win the Cup, and that was Just A in NSW, Smith was earning a man’s wage race. Tommy backed his pride and joy for a Dash. at the age of 10 during the height of the substantial sum and watched him run 200 Vandenberg: How long before the race did Depression. He’d do anything to make a meters last. But Bragger went on to win you set him to win it? quid – trapping rabbits, driving bullock thirteen races and usher in the arrival of T.J. Smith: About seven months beforehand he won the Adelaide Cup and I told his owners then that I thought he was an ideal “At age 11, when the teacher roused him from a deep sleep to Cup horse who could run the 3200 meters, receive his usual punishment, Tommy decided he’d had enough. and I set him for the race. He bolted in – by He jumped out the window and on to his horse, and never rode Jove, it was a smart win. He came back from back that way again. Now he goes to work in a Rolls Royce.....” a spell and I sent him to Melbourne quite early, because horses trained in Sydney take teams, carting water and running bets for Smith, the trainer. a while to handle the different way of going the local SP bookie. All of which supple- Today, anything Tommy Smith does is in Melbourne. Sometimes the tracks are mented the family income but didn’t allow surrounded by publicity. If he buys a new wet and they have to adapt to every possible much time for the performance of scholarly car or moves house it makes headlines, and element. duties. Tommy would help his father to even the purchase of a new hat will result in Vandenberg: Although until last year you’d cart flour every morning and then ride the a picture of Smith in the sports pages. never set a horse for the Cup, you’ve had 16kms to school, by which time he was Of course many of his actions are genuine a stack of runners in the race. Were you always buggered. More often than not he fell news, as when he became the first man in unlucky not to have won one in 26 years?

26 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au Smith: I think I should have won about five. Tulloch should have won two, Redcraze was a certainty beaten twice, and then there was Gunsynd. He raced off the track all the way and just got beaten. Vandenberg: The 1957 Melbourne Cup has always been a sore spot with racegoers. Tulloch was the greatest horse of the decade, but he did not start. Why? Smith: His owner, Mr Haley, was an old man and I guess he was influenced by the press. At that time Tulloch was a public idol, a three-year-old and the handicapper gave him a huge weight. But also, the paper tycoons Frank Packer and Ezra Norton were big punters who played the Caulfield- Melbourne Cup doubles, and they didn’t have Tulloch in the second leg. It kept on Gunsynd coming out in the papers that three-year- Bradley Photographers olds shouldn’t run. He was unbeaten as a three-year-old, he’d won the AJC and VRC Derbies, the AJC and VRC Legers, the and the Caulfield Cup in an Smith: I’ll be cutting down a bit in future. I “I’ll write you a check here and now, and Australian record time which still stands to won’t be having as many horses in my stable I want you to deliver it to my Point Piper this day. But I was forced to scratch him. because I won’t be buying as many yearlings, House.” He nearly fell over. Vandenberg: He’d have won? but I hope to be lucky enough in the future Vandenberg: Do owners ever try to tell Smith: He was a certainty. to get the calibre of horse that I’ve had over you how a horse should be ridden, or what Vandenberg: Since Kingston Town has been the past 30 years. jockey they want? under your training he’s done everything Vandenberg: Tom, you’re approaching 65... Smith: No, I won’t tolerate it. I think in any asked of him. He has won $1,250,000 in Smith: I’m not 65. business the man in charge should be left prize money, yet at his first start at Rosehill Vandenberg: But that has been printed in alone, otherwise it won’t work. he finished a very long last. What happened the papers. Vandenberg: Over the years you’ve been after that? Smith: Oh, bull! I was born in 1920. offered lucrative contracts to train in Smith: He wouldn’t train as a stallion. I Vandenberg: Put it this way; you’re not England, the Continent and the States, yet couldn’t get him to gallop, he used to play getting any younger, you’re up at 4.00am you’ve always turned them down... up, he’d run off the track, he wanted to do every morning and straight into your office Smith: Yes, that’s right. The first offer was everything wrong. But as soon as we gelded mapping out morning track work, then off from Aly Khan – it was a long, long time ago him he turned to the track to put your team through its – to train exclusively for him in France. Then Vandenberg: When did you know he was paces. Is it getting harder? William Hill who owns all the betting shops going to be a good horse? Smith: Not at all. I thrive on it. It’s a plea- in England, made me a fantastic offer to go Smith: The first day I started to gallop him sure to be able to get up and walk around there and train for him. But the best was after he’d been spelled and came back as a Randwick every morning. You’re not getting from Bull Hancock, the big bluegrass owner gelding. run over by cars or being pushed around by from Kentucky. He made two trips out here Vandenberg: You started training in Sydney people. If I wasn’t training racehorses, I’d be and on the second asked me to go back with in 1942. At that time you were a permit getting up and going for a walk somewhere. him to look over his famous Claiborne Farm. trainer but it only took you 18 months to Vandenberg: So it’s as much enjoyment as it He told me he was going to make me an become a number one trainer, and that was is a business? offer I couldn’t refuse. He wanted me to be the first of hundreds of records you’ve set. Smith: Well, I wouldn’t know what to do if I based in New York and to operate a team Smith: Yes, that’s never happened in the wasn’t training. I don’t like golf or bowls and throughout America. He said he was going history of training in Australia, and I can’t besides, training racehorses gives me all the to give me everything I wanted: cars for see it ever happening again. exercise I want. myself and my wife, a residence, a private Vandenberg: Is there one training record Vandenberg: What sort of people buy plane for me to go anywhere I desired, plus that you’re particularly proud of? racehorses? 10% of all winnings – and the stakes were Smith: I’ve won the last 30 Metropolitan Smith: The most surprising people buy high, even then over there – plus a set wage training premierships – not only in Sydney horses. You’ve got to be very careful around and a contract for five years. but all over Australia – and that has given the sales ring. It’s hard to pick a buyer – like Vandenberg: Was that hard to turn down? me tremendous satisfaction. when I went to buy my Rolls Royce. I got Smith: Well, I went over there and after a Vandenberg: Ten years after you started my secretary, Pauline, to drive me into town week I turned to Hancock and said I was training in Sydney you won your first and I walked into the showroom in my track going back to Australia. He said I couldn’t premiership, and you’ve never looked like clobber. The salesman didn’t even want to do it, but I’ve always had plenty of money losing it since. How long can you retain your show me the car. I said, “I’ll take that one and I told him what a wonderful country position as Australia’s number one trainer? there,” pointing to a maroon Roller. I said, Australia is.

www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au 27 BACK IN THE DAY (cont)

Vandenberg: You’ve seen racing throughout were a good trainer? Vandenberg: How long do you persevere the world, even in places like Japan and Smith: I’ve always been a great studier, and with a horse who doesn’t comply with your Russia. How does the set-up in Australia I went around the country as a youngster standards? compare? working and observing the guys I thought Smith: I’ll sell a two-year-old racehorse Smith: It’s better here – much more were the best. One was a freak trainer who doesn’t measure up, and I don’t know colourful. Not many other countries have named Dan Lewis. I used to go to the track any other trainer who would do that. I can bookmakers. The racing public in Australia and watch him, then I decided I’d watch a always tell after a short time if they are going are much better informed through the press chap called Fred Cush. He was a champion to be any good or not. and the average Australian punter seems to mentor of speed horses. In the meantime I Vandenberg: Has a horse ever slipped enjoy his racing more. won a bit of money and went to Melbourne; through your fingers that you wish you’d Vandenberg: Did you want to be a horse where I learned from old-time trainers like kept? trainer as a youngster? Jack Holt. He was near the end of his career, Smith: No. Smith: Not at all. I always wanted to be a but a super trainer in his time. I took a job Vandenberg: How many horses do you jockey. with a bloke called Steve Murphy. It lasted own? Vandenberg: You didn’t have much luck at three weeks and I packed up and finished up Smith: I don’t know. I’ve got an interest in that? at Mordialloc in Victoria with old man Lou lots of horses. Smith: No, I couldn’t ride. I failed as a jockey. Robertson, another genius of that era. But I Vandenberg: Has breeding been an import- I tried to ride over the hurdles and finished studied people before I had a go of it. I was ant source of income? up breaking my leg. only about 17 at the time. Smith: It’s been a hobby with me. I’m a Vandenberg: What happened then? Vandenberg: Do you think that’s been one dealer, I buy them and sell them. I’ve never Smith: I bought a horse and my aim was to of the T.J. Smith secrets: you have an eye for taken breeding really seriously and put my make a quid with him, sell him, then buy a things? time into it, because it would interfere with business or two. Smith: Yes, but I was very keen as well. Even training. It’s a big job to mix the two. Vandenberg: What went wrong? when I married my wife Valerie, I said I Vandenberg: But you have bred some good Smith: He was a horse called Bragger and wanted our honeymoon to coincide with horses haven’t you? after he won a couple of races I thought I’d going around looking at these chaps training. Smith: My word, I’ve bred some very good stick to the training caper, especially after She told me we didn’t have the money, and horses. I’ve bred Derby winners, Oaks win- some more quick successes came my way. we didn’t, but in the first fifteen years we ners, Classic two-year-old winners. Vandenberg: Was your father much of an went away every year through money I’d Vandenberg: Which would be the best influence on you when it came to training won on the punt. horse you’ve bred? horses? Vandenberg: You’ve always been a hard Smith: Both Denise’s Joy and Imagele were Smith: No, he wasn’t at all. He died when I worker. Is it harder to train a horse now than champions. They gave me a lot of pleasure was in my early teens. when you started? every time they won, particularly Denise’s Vandenberg: Was he associated at all with Smith: I don’t think so. I’ve always been able Joy. I’ve bred a lot of damn good horses who horses? to handle staff. I’m always very strict, but have won big races. Smith: Yes. We had draught horse teams people seem to like working for me. Vandenberg: Do you ever bet? around the country. We used to cart wool Vandenberg: How many horses a year go Smith: I used to bet quite heavily, but I don’t and timber, and there were plenty of horses through the T.J. Smith factory? indulge now. to educate. Smith: In the last four years we’ve sold just Vandenberg: What’s the biggest bet you’ve Vandenberg: When did you realise you on 100 horses per year. laid?

Kingston Town Bradley Photographers

Be sure to read part two of this fascinating Q and A archival interview between Grant Vandenberg and Australian racing legend TJ Smith in the next issue of Gai’s Gazette. 28 www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au

Gai and Richard discuss Spurtonic

Anne with Charity guests Lorraine, Lauren, Zara, Barry and Peter. Owners of Star Thoroughbreds Kapnikon

Jackie, Andrew, Aaron, Mia, Eden and Megan with Fiorente Dan, Nick, Mel, Craig and Larry celebrate the win of Danas Best and Star thoroughbreds Mr Jackman

SUNDAY AT THE STABLES With Gary Beecroft

Swans fans Abbey, Julie, Matt and Andrew. Owners of John and Anne with Rain Drum Star Thoroughbreds Eisenhower