2007 Trainee Views

Australia - December 2008

On reflecting upon our time in Australia, I am again taken aback by how much can be packed into such a short space of time. In four months we’ve spent time on the farm and in the office, a week in Sydney, an unforgettable nine days in Melbourne, a month on work placement, countless farm tours throughout the Hunter Valley, belted out numerous assignments, and even had time to dip our toes into the waters of movie production.

Our first few weeks following our arrival in Aberdeen were spent doing the hard yards on the land again as the breeding season kicked into full swing. After getting a good taste of racing in Sydney everyone was firmly engrossed in the build up to Melbourne’s spring racing carnival and much discussion followed each Saturday’s racing. This was also the first time many got to experience the Aussie climate as the temperature began to rise and the flies began to circulate.

During this time we were lucky enough to get the chance to tour some of the Hunter Valley’s great properties including the much famed Widden, Arrowfield, and Vinery Studs as well as the historic White family’s Belltrees Cattle Station and the Packer family’s Ellerston Estate where some rare insights into rearing thoroughbreds and cattle on some of the finest land in Australia were gained from the best in the business.

Caulfield Cup weekend saw Sheikh Mohammed triumph with All The Good, and of course it was the “tinny” Jimmy who was the only one to grab a slice of the 50/1 action! While the Spring Carnival kicked into full swing, eleven of the Darley Flying Start trainees took part in the Anti Cancer Council’s annual fundraising event, the “Relay For Life” in Scone. We competed as a team walking for twenty hours through the night paying tribute to those who have suffered as a result of cancer. It was a great community event which saw over $20,000 raised for cancer research.

One of the most enduring memories of our time in Australia will no doubt be the generosity and openness of some of the industry’s most powerful players. Gai Waterhouse, John O’Shea, Peter Orton and others who took their time to share their thoughts with us. When I speak of powerful players there is none bigger than the head of Arrowfield Stud, John Messara. He kindly hosted a sensational dinner and a very open and frank discussion about leadership, his time in the thoroughbred industry, the challenges he’s overcome and the challenges the industry faces in the future. He left us all in awe of how one man could care so much for the industry and take it upon himself to make a difference.

After a taste of what Australian racing was all about during our time in Sydney, it was off to Melbourne for the event we’d all come to see... the Melbourne Cup carnival. We were shacked up nicely in the trendy suburb of South Yarra where Melbourne’s cosmopolitan lifestyle was in full swing which helped everyone settle right in! Jordyn and Andy could shop more than ever before and Jana could add to her endless collection of dresses and get her hair done for the big week ahead!

Derby Day at Flemington is one of most unique days on the World racing calendar and as we set off on the train we all got to see just how much it meant to the people of Melbourne. We joined 117,000 fans to see our good friend Gai Waterhouse’s Northern Meteor take out the Ascot Vale Stakes, and then Clare Lindop pilot Rebel Raider to victory in Derby with Kyle lucky enough to grab a slice of the 75/1 price! The day took it’s toll on some who retired early but for some of us it was a chance to enjoy the Melbourne nightlife.

After a relaxing Sunday we then headed to Seymour to visit the beautiful Northwood Park (Darley) and enjoy the hospitality of Henry Plumptre, Matt Hill and the team which included a great lunch and the chance to hear the insights of leading owner/breeder Bob Scarborough and John Messara who also happened to be taking the opportunity to see the farm.

After months of hype and anticipation Cup day became judgement day as the race became very much about national pride, as Aiden O’Brien and Bart Cummings traded blows in the press just as Darren, Mick and Cathal traded blows with Jason and myself and then of course Andy had to remind us there were Kiwi horses running as well! As the race unfolded at a frenetic pace it became clear that not only is the weather better here but our great race is still the hardest staying event to win, as our cups king Bart Cummings collected his 12 th Melbourne Cup and 250 th Group 1 success with Viewed and none of us getting a slice of the action!

Two days down and two to run we headed to Moonee Valley Racecourse where we were hosted by Vin Lowe and then Frank Casimaty from StrathAyr Track Surfaces who gave us insights into the track surface. We had an enjoyable walk of the track and lunch overlooking the Melbourne skyline.

Oaks Day arrived and we fronted again, some chasing bets, others enjoying yet another chance to take on the bookies but for most on the course it was time to see their adopted favourite filly Samantha Miss in action, and she didn’t disappoint!

Stakes Day rounded out a massive week at Flemington and one of the great weeks of the course so far. As most of us were happy to ride the packed Flemington train for the last time, the sad realisation set in that our time in Melbourne was now up and it was back to business, so of course we headed out to celebrate!

What is normally reserved for a recovery day after a long arduous week at the track was not be for the twelve of us who were up and about early shipping out to our month long work placements. Mick, Jordyn and Cathal headed across the ditch to New Zealand to catch up with our good friend Pins, with the specific task of finding out if he was actually called Pins or in fact “Puns” as Andy would have us believe! Ian headed to South Australia to the famed Lindsay Park in search of Australia’s finest horses and the odd bottle of red wine from the Barossa, Jimmy, Leif, Jana, Darren and Jason headed to Sydney and Kyle, Andy and I remained in Victoria.

While Jimmy was reportedly seen far too many times sipping latte’s in Double Bay, Leif and Kyle relaxed in the stressful environment of Inglis’ and Jordyn took in the sights of NZ by helicopter, the rest of us slogged it out on the track or on the land. Jana was the envy of most as she piloted some of Gai Waterhouse’s finest young horses around Randwick in the wee early hours! And as expected Darren carved himself a fearsome working reputation around the boxes of Randwick as he worked his way through four or five t-shirts a morning powering through the muck at John O’Shea’s before watching work or going racing with the trainer.

The month went by far too quick and while we were all sad to say good bye to our hire cars, the pain was eased somewhat by a great night out at the Darley staff Christmas party upon our return to Aberdeen. A great chance to catch up with everyone and talk about the good times, and of course remind the Irish how bad Aiden’s horses were in the Cup!!

Our last two weeks in Aberdeen were solely devoted to two things, (1) the successful beating of the Darley team 5-0 by us Flying Starters in the Soccer challenge and (2) our video presentations for our Christmas presentation evening. Many stressful hours followed as both teams burnt the midnight oil searching for that slight edge over the opposition. As the Breeding team put the vocal delights of Cathal Beale to good use, the Racing team tested the limits of Adobe Premier by building a video too big to burn which ensured some very tense moments late on presentation day!

Clodagh arrived in time to witness a first class performance from the entire group. The evening was attended by around 60 guests, Bill Casimaty from StrathAyr even made the journey from Tasmania to join us. The Breeding team set the bar high as they premiered “Australia, Where horses can be horses”, first up leaving the audience in awe in what a bunch of amateurs could produce in six weeks. During the interval the audience was put to work as we tested their ability to pick the winner of a number of tough races, creating great tension and excitement. Darley’s Alistair Pulford would definitely have been called before the stewards for his excessive use of the whip as his tried to ride his team’s selections home! Then it was time for the Racing team to premier “The First Tuesday” which would also leave the audience speechless.

In true film festival spirit the audience was then asked to select their favourite film and while both teams deserve full praise for two “amazing” (Brand, J. 2008) presentations there could only be one winner and it was Ian, Andy, Mick, Darren, Jordyn and myself who took the honours with The First Tuesday a tribute to the Melbourne Cup. An enjoyable evening was had by all which served as a fitting tribute to the Australian racing and breeding industries which have served us well over the past four months and left us with many great memories.

So our time in the land down under has come to an end, next stop Dubai as we swing into the home turn on what has continued to be phenomenal journey. Special thanks must go to Olly Tait, Henry Plumptre and all the team at Darley Australia, to all those who took time out to meet with us and share their insights on the industry and to all our placement hosts, and last but certainly not least Fran Khan and Mel Clark for all their help and guidance over the past few months, we’ve all had a ripper of a time!

Liam Howley.

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Mick and Jana at Widden