Outgoing Darley trainer Peter Snowden will set up base at Randwick when he relinquishes his position as head trainer for the huge world class thoroughbred operation.
Trainer Peter Snowden with stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy. Photo by Taron Clarke.
Snowden announced several weeks ago that he and his son Paul would be leaving Darley to begin a training partnership of their own which will come into effect at the conclusion of the Sydney Autumn Carnival in May.
Trainer John O’Shea has subsequently been appointed to take over the reins of the Warwick Farm based operation with Snowden set to slot straight into O’Shea’s Randwick stables.
Snowden has been granted permission by the Australian Turf Club to train at Randwick and will take over the lease of sixty-boxes that O’Shea is currently occupying.
Snowden has also been approached to train some horses which are now under the care of O’Shea who will only be able to train exclusively for Darley.
“Several owners have made contact and said they would like us to train their horses when John O’Shea moves to Darley,” Snowden told TVN.
While Snowden will remain in charge at Darley until May and concentrate on the rich Sydney Autumn Carnival, his son Paul, who is currently in charge of the Melbourne branch of the Darley operation, could leave earlier to prepare for the transition to their new surroundings.
Snowden has no regrets about leaving the well-established and successful Darley operation after six years at the helm and is looking forward to the new challenge of training in partnership with his son.
“It has been a rewarding six years and I am proud of all that we have achieved,” Snowden said.
“It is the right time to move on with my son Paul and take on a new challenge.
“It is something we have always wanted to do.”
“Sheikh Mohammed has provided me with an amazing opportunity and I will be forever grateful.
“When the time comes we will deal with the farewells but for now my focus is on producing results for Darley.”
Snowden is still set to play a major part in the Autumn Carnival with several of his Spring stars, including multiple Group 1 winner Guelph, being set for the rich Group 1s in the coming months.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will remain as Darley’s number one rider and is looking forward to the Autumn Carnival but will have a sense of sadness when Snowden finally exits Darley.
“It is Blue Diamond time soon and all the good horses are coming back,” McEvoy told Sky Racing HQ.
“I have just seen Guelph and she will probably come back into the main yard in ten days or so.
“Then we have got Complacent who is heading to the AJC Derby.
“Earthquake is a filly that I haven’t actually sat on but she was a fantastic winner for Reithy (Christian Reith) at her first and only start so I am looking forward to throwing a leg over that is for sure.
“It is funny because me and Pete are still trying to win some good races but it is weird knowing that the end is near for Peter and the Darley operation; it is a funny sort of feeling
“We have had a great run and it is business as usual.”
