Stable Stars

Nigel has trained horses to reach the highest level. We never like singling out horses, but the below stable stars are a selection of his better class gallopers.

Littorio

Selected and purchased by Nigel for just $15,000, Littorio earned more than $2.5 million on the track.

As a three-year-old, he placed in the VRC Derby, AJC Derby, and STC Rosehill Guineas.

At the age of four, he placed in the Underwood Stakes (G1) and then won the 2008 Turnbull Stakes (G1), beating Weekend Hussler, Efficient, Zipping, Viewed and Master O'Reilly.

At five years of age, he won the BMW Stakes (G1), Sydney's Premier Weight For Age race.

After a tendon injury, he returned as a six-year-old to win the Makybe Diva Stakes (G2) at Flemington, which is now a renowned Group 1 event. He is the third horse in the past 30 years, to have won or placed in the VRC Derby, AJC Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Makybe Diva Stakes, Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.

Suavito

Suavito was sourced by our loyal client Ian Lewis from New Zealand, first to lease but with a purchase option. It was a wonderful decision by the owners to purchase her early in her career, as she has now won marathon $1m in prize money with eight career victories. These victories include the G1 Futurity Stakes, G1 CF Orr Stakes, G2 Matriarch Stakes, G2 Blamey Stakes and G3 Eliza Park International Stakes. 

 

Weasel Will

Weasel Will won over $750,000 in stakes. He won the G2 Waterford Crystal Mile twice, and was G1 placed on two occasions (Emirates Stakes and Doncaster Hcp).

Outback Joe

A son of Let's Elope, who Nigel had a lot to do with during her career with Bart Cummings, Outback Joe was sent to Nigel by breeder Dennis Marks after a lacklustre career with three other trainers. Through a combination of patience, skilful training and a great support team, Nigel successfully realised Joseph's potential on the track. He won five races for Nigel and Dennis, including the G2 Adelaide Cup in 2014 following a victory in the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington.

You’re So Good

Purchased by bloodstock agent, Sheamus Mills, You're So Good was raced by great stable clients and we were lucky enough to train her.

As a three-year-old she debuted to win at Moonee Valley. At her third start she secured valuable black type by placing second in the Group 3 Vanity Stakes at Caulfield.

That performance convinced Nigel and the ownership group to run in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Her performance was outstanding to run second to FERLAX.

She then progressed to win the Listed Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley, and place in four other Black-Type events in her career.

In all, she ran in 17 Black-Type events in her 23 race career, earning more than $300,000. She retired to Arrowfield Stud to commence her breeding career in late 2014.

 

Shelbourne Lass

Shelbourne Lass showed her brilliance as a two year old winning in on debut by 7 lengths. She was then stakes placed at her next start. She progressed to win two Group Three races, placed in two other Group races and ran a brave fourth in the Group One Thousand Guineas.

Cianara

Cianara showed her toughness, racing in the first two year old race of the season, and being competitive through the whole season to eventually winning the Anzac Day Handicap, beating Serenade Rose and Benicio. She would then be stakes placed again as a 3 year old.

Took A Chance

Took a Chance was brilliant enough to win the Listed VRC Talindert Stakes as a two year old.

Firenza

Firenza was a stakes-winning two year old in Adelaide, and was also extremely unfortunate in several other stakes races in Adelaide.

Let’s Make Adeal

This beautiful, big mare ran in top grade for a number of seasons. She has run in no fewer that 24 stakes races.

Her fourth in the G1 Maybe Diva Stakes, her fourth in the G2 Herbert Power Stakes (when she almost fell soon after the start), and an agonisingly close second in the G3 Lexus Stakes all showed her class . But her win in the Listed Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville gave owner Dennis Marks' and the stable a great thrill.

In the Spring of 2015, a fully matured Let's Make Adeal earned her way into the Melbourne Cup field with a terrific win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings Stakes (2500m). Sadly she sustained an injury in the weeks leading up to the Cup of that year, and was retired to Arrowfield Stud.

Desert Jeuney

 

Nigel was fortunate enough to be asked to train this son of Desert King by Classic Bloodstock Services. Affectionately known as "DJ", he has been taken through his grades in 2013 and 2014, and scored four victories - three at metropolitan level.

But his placings in two Group races are better examples of his true qualities. He ran third to Trust In A Gust in the Group 1 Toorak Hcp in the Spring of 2014, and then followed up with a third in the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley. His spring ended on a sour note with small bone chip in his knee, and has presented some challenges in 2015. But he will be back in form soon, later in the Spring.