Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will train all the yearlings purchased by Star Thoroughbreds this year; with the leading syndication company electing to move away from their long-term exclusive partnership with Gai Waterhouse.
Gai Waterhouse will no longer be the exclusive trainer for Star Thoroughbreds and all new yearling purchases will be prepared by Chris Waller. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Waterhouse will continue to train the Star Thoroughbreds-owned horses that are currently in her care but owner Denise Martin has elected to end her exclusive agreement with ‘racings leading lady’ that started back in 1994.
Martin was quick to pay credit to Waterhouse and stressed that she still has an extremely high opinion of the Melbourne Cup winning trainer but said that she made the decision based on what is best for the Star Thoroughbreds business.
“Gai is one of the world’s greatest ever racehorse trainers and her record breaking achievements are legendary,” Martin said in a statement.
“She is greatly admired for her impact on Australian racing and her success at the highest level of racing is remarkable.
“I have an excellent personal relationship with Gai and her team and I look forward to continued success with the large number of horses Gai currently trains for our Star owners.
“My decision is purely business based and I’m looking forward to the next challenge in the life of Star Thoroughbreds.”
Star Thoroughbreds and Waterhouse have combined to win some of the biggest races on the Australian racing calendar; with classy juvenile Sebring, now performing well at stud, and champion gelding Theseo both prepared by the leading trainer.
Theseo recorded impressive wins in the 2008 Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), 2008 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), 2009 Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (20000m), 2010 Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and 2010 Ranvet Stakes and was placed at Group 1 level on four further occasions.
Sebring was one of the star juvenile performers of the last decade but a cannon bone injury meant that he was retired before getting an opportunity to race as a three-year-old.
The More Than Ready entire recorded five wins from his six career starts; including impressive wins in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) before being denied the two-year-old Triple Crown by Samantha Miss in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m).
Classy mare Driefontein, Magic Millions contender Echo Gal, undefeated juvenile Law and progressive mare Queenstown are among the Star Thoroughbred-owned gallopers that will remain in the Waterhouse stable.
