Family:
Maria (wife) and two daughters Kate (30) and Emma (26)
Best horse trained:
Redoute’s Choice
First winner trained:
Toss at Kilmore in 1978. He won his maiden by 12 lengths. Some unknown punters backed it from 33-1 to 7/2.
First feature winner:
Lord Rocky Red won the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank in 1979
Favourite horse:
Spartacus. He got me going again after my son passed away and I had completely lost interest in the business.
Best horse seen:
Tulloch, Kingston Town.
Favourite racetrack:
Flemington, it is a big, flat track which gives every horse a chance.
Race would most love to win:
Melbourne Cup
What do you look for in a yearling:
How do you condense 500 words into 2 or 3 – an athlete!
Tip for Leading 2008/2009 First season sire:
Fastnet Rock but I love Murphy’s Blu Boy and Stratum yearlings
Favourite films:
Singing in the Rain, Casablanca, The Power of One and in more recent times The Notebook and I loved Sideways
Favourite book:
Gone With The Wind
Favourite music:
Best known classical music – Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Beethoven, Bach; popular music – country & western.
Favourite food:
Medium rare porterhouse steak
Favourite drink:
Sauvignon Blanc
Favourite holiday destination:
Gold Coast
Favourite pastime:
Unprintable
Greatest achievement:
Winning the Golden Slipper with Canny Lad in 1990 after he had hurt himself. He only went to the track twice in the month preceding the race; and winning the Blue Diamond with Redoute’s Choice only one week after winning his first start in a race.
Most treasured possession:
My memories
Idea of perfect happiness:
Refer to favourite pastime
Role model:
Anyone who enjoys their life and gets along with people
Motto in life:
Nothing ventured, nothing gained