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Nigel Blackiston - Racehorse Trainer

Nigel Anthony Blackiston started his career in thoroughbred racing in Newmarket, England. Born in Hertfordshire, England on 14th October 1963. Nigel moved with his family to Newmarket when he was 13. Soon after arriving in Newmarket, Nigel decided that he wanted to be part of the thoroughbred industry that made Newmarket so famous and landed himself a part-time job at prominent trainer, Captain Bruce Hobbs while at school.

When he was 16, Nigel decided that his time at school had come to an end, as he was to take up an apprenticeship with trainer Captain Bruce Hobbs at Newmarket. Unfortunately height and weight was to be the end of his career as a jockey, but the determination to be involved in racing never wavered. His first foray in to the training aspect of racing was as traveling head lad for trainer Anthony Hide at Newmarket.

Nigel was determined to spread his wings and took flight to be involved in the setting up of racing in Dubai. He took the position as Assistant Trainer to William Mather for HRH Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruling family of Dubai.

After a fascinating 4 years studying the training methods of William Mather, Nigel focused his interests on Australian racing. Leading trainer Bart Cummings acknowledged Nigel's English racing background as an asset and sponsored him to seek employment within his business. For the following few years Nigel held the position of foreman for Bart Cummings in both his Melbourne and Sydney stables. He gained valuable experience working with such champions as Let Elope, Kingston Rule and Shaftesbury Avenue.

While working at Bart Cummings stable, Nigel was presented with his first opportunity to hold his own license as private trainer for Emirates Park.Nigel would be reacquainted with His Excellency Nasser Lootah, founder of Emirates Park Stud in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. They had previously met in Dubai. Nigel quickly became one of the leading trainers in the North and North Western Districts of NSW. Nigel was establishing himself against future Group one winning trainers in Tim Martin and Paul Perry.

In 1996 Bart Cummings approached Nigel to return to Melbourne to take the role of Foreman, and work directly under Bart. This gave Nigel the opportunity to work closely with more champions of the turf being Saintly, Rogan Josh, Dane Ripper, Catalan Opening and Alfa.

After working back with Bart for 3 years, the time had come for Nigel to pursue his dream of running his own business. Nigel obtained his trainer's license from the VRC in the 1999-2000 season and established a private training complex at Cranbourne. After a fruitful 5 years 2003 Nigel re-located to a complex on the course at Headquarters, making it easier for clients to come out and see their horses.

In the time he has held his VRC trainer's license, Nigel has trained over 100 winners and found the winner's circle for his owners twice in the Group 2 MVRC Waterford Crystal Mile (Weasel Will) and once in the Group 3 VRC Tooheys Stakes (Shelbourne Lass), the Group 3 SAJC Lakewood Stakes (Shelbourne Lass), the Listed Talindert Stakes (Tookachance), the Listed VRC Teac Stakes (Weasel Will), the Listed SAJC Walter Brown Stakes (Firenza) and the Listed VRC Anzac Day Stakes (Cianara). Nigel has also provided his owners with the thrill of placings in two of Australia's premier mile races with a second with Weasel Will in the Group 1 VRC Emirates Stakes (1st Tessa Rossa) and a third placing with Weasel Will in the Group 1 AJC Doncaster Handicap (1st Assertive Lad, 2nd Shogun Lodge).

Recently Nigel has risen to prominence with the performances of Littorio, Turnbull Stakes and BMW winner. Littorio is the third horse in the last 30 years, to have been placed, in the VRC Derby, Rosehill Guineas, AJC Derby, Craiglee Stakes and Underwood Stakes. The other two being Dulcify and Sky Heights.

BUSY AT THE SALES

I have been in New Zealand this week for the Karaka Sales and it's a busy time for all. As usual NZB and the vendors have done a magnificent job in looking after everyone and we have seen some lovely horses.

February 1, 2012Read More >