Warwick Hailes at the races early in his training career - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
We catch up with a former Hawkesbury trainer who surprised friends and clients when he slipped away from racing four years ago. Warwick explains the reasons for his departure.
He gives the impression he hasn’t completely dismissed a return to training down the track.
Warwick looks back on his childhood days in the saddle and gives great credit to the work being done by the Pony Club movement around Australia. He remembers his transition to showjumpers.
He recalls riding trackwork for his father at Hawkesbury, and a brief career as an amateur jockey.
Warwick looks back on work experience in the Ray Guy stable, a short stint on a stud farm and his first experience as a trainer in his own right.
He looks back on a decade operating his own poultry farm at Kellyville.
The sixty six year old recalls his modest start as a full time trainer and pays tribute to a few special horses who got him on his way.
Warwick capsulises the career of Prince Trialia, the horse who didn’t attract a bid at the yearling sales. He delights in telling the story of the little horse who went on to win $692,000 and two Doomben $10,000’s (then the Castlemaine Stakes).
The former trainer tells a great story about his brush with racing royalty - the day renowned English jockey Lester Piggot rode one of his horses at a Wellington Boot meeting.
Warwick makes special mention of 5 time metro winning mare Lady Bureaucrat and her full brother Mr. Bureaucrat who gave him his third Gr 1- the 2002 Doomben Cup.
He tells the story of his chance meeting with the owners of the former Group 1 winner Straussbrook. The horse was near death with a chronic scouring complaint. How Warwick brought him back to health and got him back to the races is an amazing story.
(Banner image - Mr. Bureaucrat’s full sister Lady Bureaucrat in one of her five city wins - Rosehill 13/12/1997 with Corey Brown in the saddle - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.)
Lenny Beasley wins a Class 6 at Randwick on Mr. Bureaucrat defeating Mastery (Mick Dittman) - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Larry Cassidy had one ride for one win on Mr. Bureaucrat - Randwick 02/10/1999 - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Rod Quinn won 6 races on Prince Trialia. He had to get past two great jockeys to win this one at Rosehill 19/11/1988 - Darren Beadman on The Original (centre) and Peter Cook on Great Venture - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
With fellow Hawkesbury trainer John Holgate, now the proprietor of Prestige Horse Transport - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.