The opportunity to double his team numbers was the primary catalyst in Luke Pepper’s return to Canberra last November. The trainer had enjoyed every minute of his two year stint at Scone where he’d been restricted to just seventeen boxes with little likelihood of an increase. During that period Luke experienced several career milestones with the talented mare Opal Ridge who’s well on the way to joining the motherhood ranks. The daughter of Rubick is domiciled at Arrowfield Stud and is safely in foal to champion sire Snitzel. Opal Ridge’s seven wins under Luke Pepper’s tutelage included three at stakes level - the listed Luskin Star and listed Ortensia both at Scone, and the Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill in 2023. Luke has no doubt her Darby Munro win was a career best.
Luke says Opal Ridge's win in the Darby Munro Stakes was her career best - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
The availability of a thirty six horse complex on Canberra racecourse quickly lured the young trainer back to where his training career had begun. Luke’s ability to place his horses judiciously was on display during March. He won eight races for the month, including two at popular picnic meetings. He kicked off on March 1st when Sacred Mistress scored at the Yass picnics with Michael Wade on board. The following day he reeled off a Moruya double with Tidal Rush (Rebecca Bronett Prag) and Pleasurize (Claire Ramsbotham). March 13th was a red letter day for the stable when all three runners at Wagga were successful - Rippana (Brodie Loy), Timeless Grace (Blaike McDougall) and Pleasurize (Claire Ramsbotham). It was back to the picnics on March 22nd when Sacred Mistress (Michael Wade) bolted in at Narrandera, while Pleasurize (Claire Ramsbotham) saluted at Goulburn the following day.
Another one of Luke's March octet! Tidal Rush (Rebecca Bronett Prag) wins at Moruya 02/03/2025 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
It’s been an exciting journey for Luke Pepper from the Ryde Pony Club in Sydney to a high level of competition in the show jumping arena on the NSW South Coast. Then came a five year stint at the Meringo Stud at Bergalia where his passion for thoroughbreds was ignited. He learned the fundamentals of horse training from experienced hands like Barbara Joseph and Nick Olive, before acquiring his own licence. Three hundred and thirty wins later Luke is established as a very serious trainer. He’ll be delighted to see twelve complimentary bags of Prydes EasiPerformance land in his Thoroughbred Park training complex in the near future. Eight wins for the month is a performance deserving of the Prydes EasiFeed Award for March.
Luke has collected his share of trophies since his training career began in 2008 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Luke at a Sapphire Coast meeting in 2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - Luke's 8th win for the month of March - Pleasurize (Claire Ramsbotham) wins at Goulburn - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
