“I watched the Kosciuszko on ground level opposite the winning post with a clear view of the big infield screen,” said David McColm. “When Far Too Easy got to Front Page’s girth I knew we were in with a big chance. He did what he always does and just tried his heart out. It was great to see him draw away late to square the account with Front Page. After a second and a third in the two previous runnings of the race, it was so good to see him finally get the win.”
David admitted he had mixed feelings on Wednesday when the six year old came up with the inside gate. Fully aware that the number one barrier can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help, the trainer could only hope that Front Page would be the only horse to cross him in the early stages. He needn’t have worried.
In the skilful hands of Craig Williams, Far Too Easy began smoothly and was right in Front Page’s slipstream at the end of 200m. By the same token the leader got a relatively easy time in front with Elson Boy and Compelling Truth on his outside. Coming up the rise McDonald looked confident on the favourite, despite the fact that his old foe had come off his back to threaten danger. McDonald’s body language changed suddenly when Far Too Easy declared war on the horse who’d owned the Kosciuszko in the previous two years. This time it was no race as the “Murwillumbah Marvel” careered away with the sixth edition of an event that has become the holy grail for country owners and trainers.
The grin on the face of Craig Williams told the story. He grinned even more broadly 90 minutes later when he won The TAB Everest on Bella Nipotina - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Predictably David struggled to control his emotions as he fielded questions from a battery of pressmen and television hosts. His responses were matched only by those of Far Too Easy’s strapper and greatest fan, fifteen year old Archie McColm. This is the great appeal of the Kosciuszko. If a former highly priced yearling happens to be in the field, it’s only because a bush environment has brought out the best in the animal. It’s refreshing to think that this is one $2 million dollar race the training behemoths can’t plunder. In the majority of cases, it’s a race for owners of modest means and NSW small team trainers who may never get the chance again. Far Too Easy also gave a little syndicate from the Tatts Hotel in Inverell the opportunity to turn their lucky slot into a surprise windfall.
David’s post race emotion was partly triggered by memories of the obstacles the gallant gelding has had to overcome on the way to his Kosciuszko triumph. For instance, in early 2022 he was one of several horses to suffer the trauma of being trapped in floodwaters at the trainer’s Murwillumbah stables. Thankfully he and his stablemates were safely removed to higher ground.
A magical occasion for David McColm. The trainer has handled the racing career of Far Too Easy with patience and skill - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Just before the 2023 Kosciuszko Far Too Easy contracted a severe skin rash which caused him great stress for several days. His effort to finish third to Front Page was all the more meritorious. Last November he had to be scratched from The Hunter after sustaining an eye injury on a water walker. Early this year fears were held for the gelding’s life when he came down with chronic colitis. Vets recommended he be moved to the nearest equine clinic, but David and his team insisted on his treatment being administered at home. After a frightening few days, the horse made a complete recovery.
Among the many skills of jockey Craig Williams is his ability to identify the potential of up and coming young horses. “Craig’s only other race ride on Far Too Easy was way back in January 2022 in the Magic Millions Guineas,” recalled David. “He drew the 12 gate and was never on the track in finishing fourth to King Of Sparta. Craig was pretty taken with him and said he’d love to ride him again going forward. He must have a long memory because he didn’t hesitate when I asked him to fly from Melbourne to the Gold Coast to ride him in a 1000m open trial on October 8th. I told him the Kosciuszko was Far Too Easy’s immediate mission. He was wrapped in the horse’s trial win and immediately locked in the Kosciuszko ride. He’s a total professional.”
Mark Bradley added an artistic touch to his photo as Far Too Easy careered away to win The Kosciuszko - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
The gelding’s win in the “mini Everest” meant the world to David McColm for more reasons than the sheer magnitude of his achievement. The priceless moment wouldn’t have been possible without the long time support of part owners Don and Mary Wardlaw. “Don first gave me horses to train forty years ago and his loyalty has stood the test of time,” said David. “He stood by me after I suffered a mini stroke in 2010 and actually quit training for close to two years. It was Don who encouraged me to get going again, and he hasn’t stopped supporting me since. My wife Judy is also a part owner in Far Too Easy and it was just wonderful to have all three at Randwick to share an amazing occasion.”
David directs much of the credit to some special people who’ve all played a part in the Far Too Easy story. He acknowledges the contribution of staff members like Ella Lyons, Nicholas Chadburn, Keira Kempnich, Nicolle Carkazis, Terri Cheney and former jockey Brodie Loy who’s now a regular at Murwillumbah trackwork. “They’ve each had an involvement with the horse somewhere along the line,” said the trainer. “They didn’t all make it to Randwick, but it’s not hard to imagine the reaction of those watching the race back in Murwillumbah.”
David asked me to save the appropriate space for his tribute to fifteen year old son Archie, who was indirectly responsible for his father’s acquisition of Far Too Easy at the 2020 Gold Coast yearling sale. “Archie has been a racing devotee from a very early age and has always had his favourite horses,” said McColm Snr. “He was fanatical about Alligator Blood and knew everything there was to know about the horse. He was equally hooked on the deeds of Alligator Blood’s sire All Too Hard, that four time Gr 1 winning half brother to Black Caviar. When he learned I was planning to attend the Gold Coast yearling sale he put plenty of pressure on me to have a good look at the All Too Hards.”
It was a day to remember for 15yo strapper Archie McColm who played a major part in David's purchase of Far Too Easy as a yearling - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
It’s now history that the northern rivers trainer arrived at the sale with a bank of $60,000, not expecting to come away with any bluebloods. To appease Archie’s unrelenting persistence, David looked at five All Too Hard yearlings none of which got him too excited. “To be honest I wasn’t wrapped in any of them for different reasons, and I was just about to move on to the progeny of other stallions when somebody told me a bay colt by All Too Hard from an unraced Hussonet mare was worth a look. He was a touch on the small side, but had a lovely eye and was perfectly correct. We got him for a way under budget $45,000 and Archie has bragging rights for years to come.”
Archie and his dad flew to Sydney together on Wednesday, while Far Too Easy left Murwillumbah by transport a few hours later. The McColms were there to greet the horse at first light Thursday morning at the ATC’s “visitor’s quarters” located at Rosehill. The trainer was relieved when the transport driver reported the gelding hadn’t budged on the 800 km trip. “He’s always been a wonderful traveller,” said McColm. “It’s a great feeling to see him arrive unfazed and put his head straight into the feed bin. He did the same when he got back to Rosehill after the Kosciuszko. He didn’t leave a flake on Saturday night.”
This was a day to remember for 63 year old David McColm whose racing life began as an apprentice jockey with trainer Reg Powell at Werris Creek near Tamworth. “I was never going to last long,” said David. “I was too tall and too heavy. It’s a miracle I was around long enough to ride seventy winners mostly on country tracks with a couple at Bundamba (now Ipswich). I clearly remember my first win on Lady Janna trained by my boss at Grafton, a track that’s been very good to me in recent years. I also spent some time with the late Kevin Keidge at Ipswich in the late 1970’s. He was a great horseman and a wonderful tutor.”
This magnificent satin rug will generate many reminiscences in the years ahead - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Reports immediately after the Kosciuszko hinted that Far Too Easy would be eased up and set for the Brisbane Summer Carnival, but David has subsequently changed direction. “He’s in such a great headspace at the moment we feel he should have a shot at the Hunter on November 16th, the race he missed last year because of the eye injury. The slight increase in distance to 1300m is perfect, as is the four week gap between Saturday’s Kosciuszko and the big one at Newcastle. Obviously, I’m hoping Craig Williams will be in a position to ride him again.”
Far Too Easy’s wonderful journey isn’t the only thing David’s fired up about at the moment. He looks forward to the commencement of Archie’s apprenticeship in the near future. “The paperwork is all in place and he’ll soon be an apprentice jockey. He’s a naturally talented rider and as keen as they come. I’m sure he’ll make a go of it, but like me I think he’s going to have a restricted career. He’s on the tall side and certainly not a natural lightweight, but you can never be sure. I hope I can find another Far Too Easy for him to ride before he calls it a day.”
(Banner image - Far Too Easy was airborne in the closing stages of The Kosciuszko - A well earned win after 2 placings in the $2,000,000 race - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)