Fred and Northerly inspect the spoils of victory.
In this segment Fred looks back on the frustrating years when he struggled to gain a WA Thoroughbred trainer’s licence. He’d just about given up when a race club committeeman came to his rescue.
He remembers the thrill of saddling up his first winner at the gallops. The horse was Little Hero at Belmont in 1989.
Fred takes us back to the day he bought a half share in a yearling with ordinary conformation, because he happened to like the youngster’s sire.
He takes us through the extraordinary career of Northerly who went on to win 19 races including 9 Gr 1’s for $9.3 million dollars. He was a life changing horse for the Kersleys.
Fred pays tribute to other outstanding gallopers he’s had in the stable. Horses like Marasco ($1.7 million), Grand Nirvana ($1.1 million) and Itzahym ($1.2 million).
He speaks fondly of his four children and the support he’s had from wife Judy through the years. He reflects on daughter Kelly’s winning drive on Norm’s Daughter in a Miracle Mile, and on the progress of his jockey grandson Fred Kersley.
This is a laid back chat with one of Australia’s most respected horsemen.
(Banner image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics - Patrick Payne had the prized ride when Northerly won his second Cox Plate in 2002.)
Image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics - Damien Oliver with Fred and Jenny Kersley after Northerly’s first Cox Plate win 2001.