By Mac Henry
Murray Brown became just the second-ever trainer to prepare the winners of 500 races from a Southland base when Soapbox, his first runner for the season, was successful at Gore on Sunday.
It is a milestone 33 years in the making and one the Invercargill horseman is justifiably chuffed to have reached, given the logistics involved.
“It wasn’t something I thought about when I started out, I was only training a couple after work,” Brown said. “It hasn’t been easy from down here, horses win the way out of their class, the racing season in Southland use to stop in April.”
Initially from Makarewa, Brown said his parents weren’t into racing and even though he wanted a pony when he was young, was never allowed one.
“My grandparents were keen racegoers though, they used to catch the bus to Forbury Park, that’s probably where I got my interest in racing from.”
It was further fostered during his time at the freezing works, and as first five outside Southland halfback Des Langford in the Central Pirates premier rugby side.
“We played at Ryal Bush, John Hay, Henry Skinner and Alan Devery all lived handy and they would come to the games,” Brown explained. “I joined the Golden Arrow syndicate at the (freezing) works, they had a galloper but it was no good, the second horse was the trotter Classic Pride, Henry Skinner won some with her. “
Those connections led to Brown helping Skinner in the off-season. He learned to gear-up and drive but never considered taking to the sulky on raceday.
“You’ve got to start when you’re young,” he said, “I’ve driven in a few workouts but only do it now if I can’t get anyone else.”
Although around good horses at Skinner’s, Brown said getting to feel what it was like to sit behind one had to wait until he got one himself. “We only got the B-graders.”
In 1984, Skinner supported Brown get a trainer’s licence. He leased a couple of boxes from Nancy Swain close to Ascot Park and trained a couple after work. David Barlow lived even closer and when he gave up training, Brown rented his boxes. He also had first option to buy, exercised it and still trains from there.
Cleland Murdoch and Brown’s brother Bevan were among his early owners. Murdoch secured Mike Adios from the late Derek Jones and he was Brown’s first winner, at Invercargill on 22 September 1984. Syndicates organised by Murdoch continue to provide winners for the Brown barn.
In the early days Brown recalls buying videos of races from the TAB, identifying potential winners, buying them, winning and moving them on.
“We bought Tekau on the Wednesday, won on the Saturday and sold it on Sunday.”
Dave Kennedy is another prominent owner who has supported Brown right through. In 1988, Beaudiene Bolta was the first Kennedy winner, and Brown’s first at Addington. Rimesaut, a former Devery and Skinner pacer out of Classic Pride and raced by the Golden Arrow syndicate, was Brown’s first ‘big-banger’, winning six races in the first five months of 1989.
“He won his way out of his class in Southland, we left him with John Hay, Barry Purdon bought him.”
In those days, there was no winter racing in the south, it was off-season at the works and Brown regularly based his team at Ashburton with Hay.
In 1996, with more than 50 wins, Brown made the decision to go full-time training. Freeway Don won 10 for him and in September 1999 gave him a taste for winning feature races in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru. His team grew.
“I got up to 28 horses in work and won the Southland premiership seven times. I had three staff, now there’s only me and (wife) Marlilyn and Sheree (Tomlinson). We had 10 to 12 this winter, 16 will be our maximum. We don’t use a jogging machine, I prefer one in the cart and leading one each side, it makes them more professional.”
In 2008, Brown took Hemisphere to Addington to win the group three Cheviot two year fillies feature for long-time supporter John Higgins. Earlier, at a Gore Tuesday meeting in December 2007, Brown produced Beaudiene Bad Babe to win a $4000 two year old race for new owner Peter Ryan.
“Peter came to the stables and shouted us smoko,” Brown recalls, “he had a heart attack and died the next week.”
In Cambridge at the end of May, Beaudiene Bad Babe, raced by Ryan’s family, and Hemisphere, clashed at the Jewels. Beaudiene Bad Babe finished an unlucky third and favourite Hemisphere fourth.
Beaudiene Bad Babe went on to become Brown’s biggest winner, 22 wins including the Jewels in 2010.
Soapbox is owned by the popular Tri-Code Racing syndicate, organised by local identity Peter Kett.
“Peter got her from Brian West, he’s also got a half brother by Auckland Reactor (Please Shuddup), had his first workout on Saturday, I like him. I’ve won three for the syndicate, two with Soapbox and one with Just Wish earlier this year. Soapbox will go to Invercargill next, she corners good, better on the wee tracks.”
Of the others in his current team, Brown rates Triple VC one of the brighter prospects and with half a dozen promising three year olds, there will be no slowing done.
“I’ll keep going while my health’s good,” Brown said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
