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| Sumita Pawar |
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Flemington Racecourse basks in the golden glow of the Australian sun, the air thick with anticipation. In the heart of the Malua Racing stables, a whirlwind of energy named Troy Corstens paces, his eyes gleaming with the intoxicating cocktail of adrenaline and dedication that defines his life. Beside him, a magnificent bay gelding, The Astrologist, stretches his powerful muscles, a living testament to the Corstens family's unwavering pursuit of equine excellence.
Malua Racing isn't just a stable; it's a legacy etched in sweat, blood, and the thunderous hooves of champions. Built on the unwavering foundation laid by Troy and his father, Leon, it's a family tapestry woven with the triumphs of Group One victories and the bittersweet sting of near misses like The Astrologist's agonizing second place in the Al Quoz Sprint last year. Yet, for Troy, the true victory lies not in trophies or accolades, but in the journey itself – the shared moments of exhilaration and despair, the unspoken language of trust and understanding that binds man and horse in an unbreakable bond.
Corstens starts by talking about the frustration they have experienced with numerous second place finishes this season. This season, they have a few promising 2YOs that Corstens is particularly excited about. He plans to aim for some of the top 2YO races in the coming year with a couple of talented colts.
The renowned trainer is gearing up for another thrilling season at Malua Racing. With a string of impressive performances last year, including a second-place finish in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night with his star horse, The Astrologist, Corstens has high hopes for the upcoming racing season.
"We've got a few really nice 2YOs coming through that I'm quite excited about," says Corstens. "And I've got a couple of nice colts that I'm going to aim for a couple of the better 2YO races coming up into the new year."
Corstens attributes his success to a combination of factors. "Firstly, we always buy nice horses," he explains. "Secondly, we've got terrific locations for our training stables. We've got Flemington and Geelong Racecourse. And then I've got a farm. Something of an equine Shangri-La called Malua Bangtail. It's two hours north of Flemington. And it just allows us to switch things up. We can change horses around and change their training environments."
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ARIONEO SYSTEM ENHANCES TRAINING AT MALUA RACING
In addition to their top-tier facilities, Malua Racing has also implemented a system called Arioneo, which tracks the data of the horses, including GPS and heart rates. Technology like the Arioneo system gives us a deeper understanding of their horses, their physiology, their unique quirks and their strengths. Corstens believes that this system has been a valuable tool in training their horses. "I do think it's a very good aid in training our horses," he says. "We've tried a couple of different systems, but we are very happy with our current system."
Troy prefers to keep learning, always pushing the boundaries, always striving to be better. He believes that ultimately, it's the human touch that makes the difference. He needs to feel the animal, its rhythm, its anxieties, its quiet whispers of potential. That's where the magic happens.
One of the key highlights of Corstens' training career has been the opportunity to work closely with his father, Leon, who runs the Geelong stable while Troy oversees the Flemington stable. "Family businesses are never easy, but there are so many horse racing families out there that endure what we go through," Corstens shares. "We've got a Malua system, and then dad implements things down in Geelong with the 30 horses he's got down in work there. And then I've got 40 horses in work at Flemington. It just works quite nicely."
When asked about the best piece of advice he has received from his father, Corstens reveals, "My father is very, very good at not wavering. He is great at doing the same thing every day and just keeping our systems in place. Because horse racing is very hard, you have a lot of ups and a lot of downs. His consistency keeps us on a level keel all the time. And that way, we just know that it's the horses that are coming through and not our system."
"We're never satisfied," he admits, his gaze sweeping across the bustling stable. But despite the challenges that come with training racehorses, Corstens finds immense joy in the sport. "It's very funny, but I'd equate my first Group One with the time my first child was born. That was one of the greatest feelings in my life," he says with a smile. "The second-best feeling I've ever had is winning a Group One. There's nothing like getting a Group One winner. It's what we all strive for. It's what we're in the game for."
MALUA RACING’S ASTROLOGIST: AMAZING & UNPREDICTABLE
One horse that has undoubtedly given Corstens that feeling is The Astrologist. The 7YO son of Zoustar is poised to rise, and Malua Racing, with Troy Corstens at the helm, is ready to chase that feeling, one heart-pounding stride at a time. "He's not the easiest horse in the world to train,” Troy concedes with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.
“He has a few little niggling problems that we have to stay on top of all the time. But he is an amazing animal," Corstens reveals. "He tries so hard. And every time that you put him out on the racetrack, he's going to give you his one hundred percent. It's very rare in a horse, I can tell you. He's just an amazing animal."
The Al Quoz Sprint beckons once more, a chance to rewrite the narrative, to erase the bitter memory of that silver medal and claim the gold that rightfully belongs to The Astrologist. Corstens shares, "He's really good. He's ready to race. And then I'm hoping that we can get him back to Dubai. We really want to come back and try and win the Al Quoz in 2024. So that's the plan at this stage."
Corstens is no stranger to sending his horses abroad to compete on the international stage. He believes that the UAE racing season has become incredibly strong and closely follows the races happening there. "It's amazing racing, and the facilities are just world-class," he remarks.
But Troy's ambitions extend far beyond the racetrack. He dreams of a dynasty, a legacy that will see the Corstens name synonymous with equine excellence long after he's hung up his saddle for the final time.
"I see my nephew, my son, working alongside me now," he says, his voice laced with pride. And in their shared labor one can see the unwavering spirit of Malua Racing, a family bound not just by blood, but by sweat, dedication, and an unyielding love for the most exhilarating sport on earth.
While they are learning the ropes, Corstens wants to build something for them, that they can all be proud of. A legacy that whispers of Malua, of family, of horses that soar like eagles on the wind.
By Staff Writer