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| Staff Writer |
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Sunshine In Paris had captured many eyes taking out the Group One Surround Stakes before backing up with a win in Group Two company, seven months later.
For trainer Annabel Neasham, the 4YO mare was in the market for the world’s richest turf race, The Everest, as an $11 prospect before injury forced her out of a shot at the $20 million race.
At the time, the Warwick Farm-based trainer said the injury was only minor, although it meant her plans for her first runner in the feature race were being scampered.
“She has just tweaked a ligament, it's only a minor strain but it's not worth the risk,'' Neasham told media.
"It's not career-ending, it's an annoying little setback and you can't have a setback so close to the big race. We will give her a break now and she should be back for the autumn.''
Annabel Neasham grew up with horses in her blood and has gone on to become a multiple Group One winning trainer.
Growing up in the village of Croughton in the United Kingdom, she developed her horsemanship skills through eventing, show-jumping and hunting.
Neasham came to Australian shores in 2016, for what was planned to be a working holiday but she ended up staying for a lot longer.
Spending six months with Gai Waterhouse she would relocate to the Caulfield stable of Ciaron Maher, where she was able to prepare and work with classy Group 1 winners such as Jameka and Merchant Navy.
Her work and dedication was repaid with Maher placing her in charge of the Sydney branch of the stable in 2018.
The stable’s success recorded more than 50 victories in New South Wales in its first two seasons, with Neasham breaking out on her own and being granted 36 boxes to begin her solo training career in the 2020-21 racing season.
“I was fortunate enough to work for Gai Waterhouse when I first moved to Australia, before moving to Melbourne to work for Ciaron Maher,” Neasham recounted.
“I was then fortunate enough to open Ciaron’s Sydney stable and worked alongside horses such as Dubious, Prague and Away Game.
“Both Gai and Ciaron have taught me a huge amount when it comes to training and I’m incredibly fortunate I was able to work alongside both of them.”
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Neasham’s first win was with her first runner, when Commanding Missile won on August 25 2020, racing over the 1100m trip at Scone, a memory that Neasham will never forget.
“It was certainly a huge thrill when my first runner, Commanding Missile, won at Scone,” Neasham said.
“I was then fortunate enough that he went on to win his second start too.
“He wasn’t the easiest horse to deal with at home so it was a great result for his connections.
“He is now in Hong Kong and I saw him when I was recently there in April – he is a horse that I will always hold a soft spot for. “
Commanding Missile had three starts for Neasham, with two wins and a minor placing.
Since beginning her training career, she has trained winners in eight Group Ones, eight Group Twos, two Group 3’s and nine listed class races.
Now with 380 career wins, her stable has doubled their success rate year on year since the start, with the trainer admitting her secret to success starts at the stable.
“The stable has grown considerably since my first year of training,” she said.
“For me the job wouldn’t be possible without a talented team of staff behind me who are all very good at what they do.
“We get to know the horses inside and out, so we can spot when they are having an off day and this helps to make sure that they are performing to their best ability throughout their preparation.
“Our main goal is to always improve on our previous season.
“Last season we had 172 winners so we would love to see 200 plus winners this season.”
This time of year is one of Neasham’s favourites as she commented on how the stable was progressing.
“The stable is going well,” she said.
“I love this time of year as the 2YOs are making their way to the races and Group racing is back for the Spring.
“We have a really nice team of horses for the spring campaigns so there is a buzz around the yard and the team are all hoping to knock off some good results.”
The Neasham stable is headlined by some stars with Sunshine In Paris and Zaaki.
Sunshine Paris is the daughter of Invader and Zenaida who has four wins and two minor placings from six career starts while earning $691,700 in prize money for connections. The 4YO mare is a Group One winner taking out the Surround Stakes in February this year.
Zaaki is the proven star of the stable with 15 wins and 17 minor placings from 45 career starts, also saluting in four Group Ones; Doomben Cup (2021), Underwood Stakes (2021), two Mackinnon Stakes in 2021 and 2022.
Following a third placing in the Group One Winx Stakes in August, Zaaki was freshened for four weeks before finishing runner up in the Listed 7 Stakes a fortnight ago.
Neasham said that she expects a lot from the 9YO gelded son of Leroidesanimaux this spring.
“Zaaki is going great!,” she said.
“He seems like he is back to his usual self, he has been loving his work at home, at the beach and on the racetrack. We are very excited for his next start. “
Originally with Sir Michael Stoute in the United Kingdom, he found his way to Neasham after a 36-week spell.
“We purchased Zaaki at the Tattersalls Horses In-Training sale this time nearly three years ago,” the leading trainer remembered.
“Our UK based Bloodstock Agent, Stuart Boman, had his eye on Zaaki for a while and was delighted to see him catalogued.
“We had a budget of 150k (gns) and Zaaki passed in with a reserve of 300k – he’s now won over $10M in prize money for his connections!”
Neasham commented on Zaaki’s character and how he is to train and also commented on his last few starts.
“Zaaki is a quirky character but is very easy to read when it comes to training him,” she said.
“He loves his work and has such a special personality – he knows he is good.
“He ran a very good race in the Winx Stakes finishing third and after that ran second in the 7 Stakes, he is a consistent horse who never runs a bad race.
“He is a bit older now so we like to give him more time in between runs to keep him fresh and running up to his best.
“His next target is the new $5M King Charles race that is on Everest Day.”
With a stable rich with talent, Neasham also said that there was loads of undiscovered potential along with some really hitting their straps.
We have plenty of stars in the stable, but a horse that comes to mind is Fawkner Park,” she said.
“Bennett Racing purchased him and he was a winter wonder for us, having won five consecutive races last preparation.
“He has resumed this preparation with some nice targets on the horizon, and we are excited to see what he will show us this preparation.”
Fawkner Park, a gelded son of Zoffany, has five wins and two minor placings from nine career starts and has earned $236,102 for connections.
With an eye for talent and a hand strong with the ability of getting the most from every single horse, Neasham admits that she has found herself gravitating towards particular sires when it comes to sales and potential purchases.
“This year I found myself liking a lot of Dubious’ progeny,” said Neasham.
“I had a close connection to him when Ciaron trained him and I was fortunate enough to ride him every day as a 2YO.
“I saw a lot of similar characteristics in the yearlings that I bought with their sire.
“They’ve all been showing plenty of ability at home and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do on the track this season.”
Having trained winners across the country and abroad, if there was any race around the world that she would love to win, the answer was simple for Neasham.
“I think the race every trainer in Australia wants to win is the Melbourne Cup! I’m certainly one of them.”
As one of the nation’s strongest trainers, Neasham is sure to prepare many top contenders not only in the Everest but all premium races on Everest Day at Royal Randwick on October 14.
By Dean McHugh