The cut off point in determining the award is historically the last day of each month, but in David Blundell’s case we’re going to stretch it out by twenty four hours. The Gundagai veteran won last Sunday’s Cootamundra Cup with veteran galloper Thistledo, capably ridden by Josh Richards. It was a great result for a respected horseman who’s been dealing with colon cancer issues for close to two years.
From the time of his diagnosis, David has adopted a positive attitude. Despite intensive treatment he hasn’t wavered in his attention to stable duties, and has continued to ride the bulk of his ten horse team in trackwork. He can still be found shoeing horses most days of the week. In a thirty year career David has earned wide respect as a trainer of racehorses and a yearling breaker. His great friend Peter Pollack says “there’s little about horses David Blundell doesn’t know”.
One of Dave’s favourites Itsa Fait Accompli (Blake Spriggs) wins the first of his 2 TAB Highways - Rosehill 01/07/2017 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
The talented horseman began his training career in 1992, but had to wait two years for his career building horse to come along. That horse was Carvalin who raced exclusively on southern district tracks for close to seven years putting together the remarkable record of 126 starts for 24 wins, 26 seconds and 12 thirds. Carvalin brought his trainer to the attention of many loyal country clients.
Another of Blundell’s innate talents was to identify horses who would be competitive in stronger grade. He became a familiar face on metropolitan tracks winning multiple races with horses like In The Bunker, Brimstone, Light Machine, Monterey Road, Itsa Fait Accompli and Zoregal whose four city wins included the listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill.
David was chuffed to win the second TAB Highway with Itsa Fait Accompli at Warwick Farm right on Christmas 23/12/2017 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
It’s a great pleasure to present David Blundell with twelve complimentary bags of Pryde’s EasiPerformance as the September winner of the Country Trainer’s Award. Let’s hope the winners continue to flow for a tough as teak 65 year old whose talents as a horseman are matched by his proven track record as a good bloke.
With Richard Bensley after All On Red's win at Canberra 28/06/2013 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - One of Dave's recent winners! Shafty (Billy Owen) scores easily on the synthetic track at Canberra 18/08/2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
