ABOUT ME

Training that works

I was born into horse breeding and racing, my mother and father owned and operated Inman Valley Stud where I grew up and learned numerous things about not only breeding and raising horses but also the people who loved to race them. Racing is all about chasing the dream, whether it is Group 1 glory or winning your local Racing Club Cup, I also worked for some time at Milluna Stud and Lindsay Park under Peter Hayes. At the age of 22 I took a hiatus from the industry for a while due to the loss of my father. 
Whilst I had an interest in training, I knew that I had to spend more time working within the industry and gaining confidence within myself, also building relationships to assist me moving forward.  In 2008 my husband Norm (Racing Manager by default) and I bought the 26-acre Meadowbrook Park facility up near Kuitpo with a view to turning it into a professional training facility longer term. We had a shared passion for horses and racing and so we spent 3 years rebuilding the place and I started doing some pin hooking of weanlings and bred some foals for preparation and sale at the Adelaide Magic Millions, I also applied for and got my owner trainer’s licence.
I learnt as much as I could through various trainers who have always been very helpful to me, and within a few years I knew that ultimately training full time was what I wanted to be doing. I applied for and got my permit to train, at the same time we started building up the facilities at Meadowbrook such that I had a walker, round ring, 20 stables, day paddocks, spelling paddocks and all other facilities needed to try and morph the business into a full time professional training stable. As at March 2022 we have made a decision to concentrate specifically on training and move closer to the track to reduce travel time, and we also decided the track to move closer to in SA was Murray Bridge. The track speaks for itself, has an increasing number of world class facilities and will ultimately be the dominant city track in SA, it also puts us closer to almost every race track in SA which reduces costs for our owners. Our spelling requirements are taken care of 5* agistment facilities in the Adelaide Hills. 

Our new premises are purpose built training facilities with 15 magnificent lined stables and 9 day yard shelters, we have an 8 horse walker and treadmill, as well as a new large sand roll/roundyard. There are stripping stalls as well as hot water wash bays, the whole complex is facing east so horses get the morning sun and get full shade all day and protection from the afternoon sun. It is quiet and our horses are thriving, we are also taking all horses to the track every day which we expect will significantly assist not only there fitness levels but also their mental well being as it is now a 10 minute drive not 45 minutes.

We have reduced the team over the past 4 months and are trying to lift the quality while maintaining cost effective options for clients via access to some tried horses as well as buying quality yearlings for the future. I have very good contacts with several breeders around Australia and have been lucky enough to secure some nice horses pre-sale, or lease horses by good stallions. I also have a very good blood stock agent who has managed to help me find numerous tried horses that we have managed to turn form around on. My motto has always been to work on the KISS principle (Keep it simple Stupid), communicate well with clients, and surround myself with good people whether staff, sub-contractors, or clients. It seems to be a winning formula as we are now within the top 20 trainers in the state statistically after 2 years and attracting some very good clientele.

I am following my dream, if Racing is your passion please contact me via email, twitter or Facebook and let me help you achieve yours.