Tony Vasil

Tony Vasil is a former successful jockey, with 3,500 rides to his credit. Increasing weight however, led him to take up training and he has never looked back since.

Tony has built a fine reputation in the industry, not just for his consistently impressive strike rate over the years, but for his knowledge and approach to training. He has never been afraid to travel, if that is what is best for the horse, and has a very good eye when it comes to selection of young racing talent. He brings a tremendous strike rate of starters to black type returns and gets maximum results from limited numbers.

Based at Caulfield with a team of about 32, Tony achieved international success with the Caulfield Cup Winner ELVSTROEM, also winning the Duty Free in Dubai in 2005. Tony's other success stories include SUPER ELEGANT, ZAZZMAN and UNDER THE BRIDGE to name only a few. Today he is the trainer of champion HARADASUN.

Tony currently trains our 5YO Colt, Doubly Sure and also trains Callisto Kid (Galileo-Lakshimi) and Classic Clanbrooke's Skystreamer (Fantastic Light - Meribel), as well as Matumi (Johannesburg-Only Wood Filly) listed below.

1. Johannesburg - Only Wood Filly. Shares $8950 per 10% - only 2 shares remaining.

More information about Tony and the stable he races for - Aquanita, can be found here.

Pat Carey

Former Flemington trainer Pat Carey has set the world on fire since relocating to Mornington last year, averaging more than one winner a week, many on city tracks. Pat's sea change has certainly brought the best out of the Carey team and the success has just continued with both Clanbrooke and Pat's first Group 1 win with champion filly Arapaho Miss. Arapaho's stablemate, Royal Harmony finished 4th in the race in a sweetener for Carey and his team.

Pat began working with Melbourne Cup winning trainer John Meagher at the age of 12 and continued with him to the age of 28. Pat then decided to go out on his own, purchasing an excellent training complex in Epsom. Following the closure of Epsom, Pat moved to Huntly Lodge and trained from Flemington with great success, producing horses such as THONG CLASSIC, winner of the Moonee Valley Cup. With John Meagher's impending return from Singapore, Pat decided a shift to Mornington was his best option. The success of the Club and the redevelopment plans, along with the commitment to training, consolidated his decision to shift to Mornington.

Pat's best horse, Mango Daquiri was on target for the SA Oaks in 2006 following her win at Moonee Valley on April 4, her promising 4th in the AJC Oaks and 3rd in the Wakeful Stakes. However the filly suffered a leg injury that may end her career. Pat has, however, been fortunate to acquire recent metropolitan winner Pretty Penny and G2 winning CANDY VALE.

Pat and wife Cheryl have purchased a complex close to the track that can cater for a team of 25 horses. With three children, Shaun, Mark and Mandy and Cheryl running the office side of the business, the Carey team is a real family affair.

Pat currently trains Arapaho Miss for Clanbrooke - the 2007 Crown Oaks [G1] winner as well as Grand Ness (Untouchable-Turbo), Beulah Belle (Fubu-La Quita)and will soon take over the reins of our 2YO Invincible Spirit - Grey Dolphin Filly (see below) as well as our Danehill Dancer - Temple Filly.

1. Invincible Spirit - Grey Dolphin Filly. Shares $6000 per 10% - only 2 shares remaining

Brian Jenkins

Brian Jenkins, well known as 1998 Melbourne Cup winning trainer of JEZABEEL, has certainly made an impact since relocating from Cambridge, NZ, earlier this year to base himself at the magnificent multi-million dollar training complex, `Riverend Park,' at Bangholme on the southeatern outskirts of Melbourne.

Since taking over the reins, Brian has trained city winners in Green Birdie, a top 3YO Classic chance, Desert Master, the early Melbourne Cup favourite, as well as Bird Dancer.

Boasting an imposing record when training in New Zealand, Brian trained Group Winners STARDANE, DR GREEN, TRIASSIC and Melbourne Cup winner, JEZABEEL. Brian was also responsible for the pre-training of Group winners PERLIN, JADE ESSENCE and WINDWINNER. Brian won the Wonganui Guineas twice with STARDANE and DR GREEN and although renowned as a trainer of stayers, it should be noted that JEZABEEL also won Black Type as a 2YO in the Champagne Stakes. JEZABEEL also remains the only horse to have won the Auckland Cup - Melbourne Cup double.

Brian currently trains Acatabove, Schwarzer, Allanthus, Astronomo, Odin Warrior, Soy, Galileo's Scribe, Evening Dress, the Postponed Colt and the upcoming horses listed below for Clanbrooke.

1. Johannesburg - Fine Silk Lady Filly - For Lease - $750 ingoing fee

Brian Cox

Brian Cox is Victoria’s foremost trainer of winners. From his stables at Wodonga, Brian has achieved rising status in his ability to place his horses to winning advantage. Brian’s horses travel all over the state and he is a regular visitor to the City tracks where his hit-rate is equal to any of the metropolitan trainers. Brian’s ability was further exemplified by his winning the Victorian Country Trainer of the Year for 2001/2002.

At present, Brian trains the ever-consistent mare Gala Evening as well as recently transferred Jupiter Lass for Clanbrooke. Previous successful partnerships between Clanbrooke and Brian have included Jack Be It (5 wins and back in training), Fine Way (4 wins), Sweetly So (2 wins), Jumping Jane (1 win), Lanie Lass (1 win) and Spin and Miss (1 win).

1. Half Hennessy - Bold Elba Colt - For Sale - $1500 per 10% share

Shane Fliedner

Shane Fliedner has been surrounded by, working with and attending to thoroughbreds his entire life. A jockey for eighteen years, Shane won 10 jockey premierships in Northern Victoria as well as riding Adelaide and Sydney winners throughout his riding career. Upon retirement from competitive riding, Shane elected to train thoroughbred racehorses.

In a period of only seven years since purchasing and developing his Bendigo complex, Shane has trained in excess of 200 Provincial winner and 26 Metropolitan winners including CLASSICONI, LITTLE DOZER, Jakodae (5 city wins) and LAURA'S CHARM (multiple city winner). With only 25 horses in work at any one time, the stable is proud of its achieved strike rate of:
20% Metropolitan winners to Starters
50% Metropolitan placings to Starters

Co-ordinating the training with a "Hands On" approach and genuine feel for his horses, Shane oversees all aspects of his horses wellbeing and training. We are pleased to be working with Shane who already trains Laundering and Bromson for Clanbrooke.

Cliff Brown

Cliff Brown is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most successful young trainers. After leaving school he commenced work with trainer Rob McGuiness at Caulfield before applying to enter the Marcus Oldham College where he completed the Horse Management Programme. Following this, Cliff spent 18 months in England at Newmarket where he worked for Chris Wall.

Cliff has built up an outstanding reputation as a trainer, especially of stayers. Already he has had 6 Group 1 winners including TARNPIR LANE, MARKHAM, CHEVIOT, BLUE MURDER (the latter 3 all winning the South Australian Derby), THE A TRAIN as well as countless Stakes winners including the Clanbrooke syndicated horse EMISSION, Group 3 winner and three times Group 1 placed.

Cliff has recently moved his primary training base in Singapore where Clanbrooke stable horse, So Majestic, will debut shortly.

We wish Cliff the best of luck in his new abode and look forward to International Syndications in the near future.

Robert Smerdon

Robert was an extremely accomplished jockey on the flat and over the hurdles but he was always destined to turn his hand to training once weight forced him from the saddle. His success as a jockey, both within Australia and at international level provided Robert with an extensive grounding for his arduous choice of profession.

Being a member of the famous Smerdon training dynasty further prepared him for the challenges associated with training horses. Originally based at Ballarat, and arguably Victoria's most successful country trainer for many decades. Robert made the decision in 2003 to become predominantly a metropolitan based trainer, the switch has been very successful, with Robert always prominent in the trainers premiership table.

Although now based at Caulfield, Robert maintains a strong country flavour through a sizeable team still trained from our Ballarat stables. Robert has trained Group winners in all states of Australia, excluding Western Australia. He has a Sydney Cup, Adelaide Cup and Goodwood Handicap to sit among his Group 1 successes since joining Aquanita, and the rare distinction of training outstanding hurdler Zabenz to a Group 1 win in America. He is one of the country's most versatile trainers, having won Group 1 races with stayers and sprinters, not to mention his countless successes over the jumps. His ability to place horses where they have their best chance of winning and of getting the absolute maximum out of each horse's ability are legendary.

1. Invincible Spirit - Unbridled Fire Filly. Shares $7950 per 10% share. Only 2 shares remaining

More information about Robert and the stable he trains for - Aquanita, can be found here.

Simon Miller

Simon Miller learnt to walk hanging onto a horse and with racing in his blood he was always destined to follow a path to the race track. His family remain involved through ownership, syndication, and bookmaking.

In his early teens Simon started to think seriously of a career in racing which is when he joined the stable of Charlie Goggin where he worked weekends and school holidays. After successfully finishing his schooling Simon was drawn into the business world but the lure of the horses rang loud and he returned to the familiar sounds of racing stables. Charlie Goggin provided Simon with a solid back ground in horses but after three years with Charlie, Simon made the move to the stables of leading Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths. Simon found his niche at the Griffiths stable and quickly rose through the ranks to be Assistant Trainer. In this time Simon was responsible for horses such as Dandy Kid, Big Pat and Solar Antiquity.

With six extremely successful years under his belt Simon received a phone call from Sydney trainer John O’Shea. The offer to move north to take up the position of Assistant Trainer was hard to refuse and Simon was quickly off to take up the new role. As assistant to O’Shea, Simon had another tutor in which he could better learn his trade. Top liners Racing To Win, Fast’n’Famous and Safwa were in the stables at this time. However as the team prepared for the spring of 2007 equine influenza hit Sydney and racing ground to a halt.

It was at this time that an offer to train in Perth under the Aquanita name was made to Simon. He readily accepted, but before heading west, spent a further six months under the guidance of Aquanita Caulfield trainers Tony Vasil and Robert Smerdon.

With his degree in race horse training complete, Simon will oversee Aquanita’s foray into the west. Starting with the capacity to train 24 horses Simon is sure to have an instant impact.

1. Invincible Spirit - Unbridled Fire Filly. Shares $7950 per 10% share. Only 2 shares remaining

More information about Simon and the stable he trains for - Aquanita, can be found here.

Mark Minervinii

An experienced horseman, Mark Minervini has been involved in the horse industry for 27 years and has trained professionally from Morphettville in South Australia since 1993. In that time he has won over 200 metropolitan races in both Adelaide and Melbourne including eight stakes winners. In 2002, Mark won two races during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington with RED LABELLE in the Cadbury Roses Stakes and SURE BET in the 927 Sprint. Some other horses Mark has trained that may be familiar include Vicksburg, Savage Attack, MR SANDS and Dizzy De Lago.

Mark recently returned to his home state of South Australia, and, since his return, has produced an impressive list of winners. Not least our own `Scrubby Creek,’ an outstanding first and second trial winner, not to mention first start winner at Victoria Park. Based in Morphetville, Mark currently trains Scrubby Creek, Danrossa (Testa Rossa - Danzomo) and Artina (Street Cry - Strictly Speaking) for Clanbrooke.

At the end of June, 2008, Mark decided to hand in his trainers' license and retire from training. We wish Mark all the best in his new
endeavours.

Trent Pennuto

Trent’s passion for horses began when he Graduated with a Diploma of Applied Science (Horse Management) Glenormiston, Victoria 1994. Subsequently working with Greg Eurell at Cranbourne, Trent then spent 12 months in Newmarket, England. Whilst in England Trent was fortunate enough to work with several well-respected trainers and horse persons including Sir Mark Prescott, Dr. John Scargill & Herringswell Bloodstock. On return from England Trent spent 6 years working as Foreman for Robbie Griffith at Cranbourne before choosing to go out on his own.

Trent took out his trainers licence in 2002/03 season and has started to build a small but successful team. Trent prides himself on personalised care and this is evident in his strike rate. Trent has a winners strike rate of 13% and a placegetter strike rate of 31.9%. Winners include dual metropolitan winner Race The Heart, Our Kels Belles & Maddie to name a few.

Jodie Bohr

Jodie Bohr took over the reins at Bohron Park in 2000. Since then she has built up an impressive list of winners and placegetters in the Northeast/Southwest NSW area.

Jodie has trained many horses for Clanbrooke over the past few years and winners have included Symphonette, El Vixen, Summer Solstice, Little Brown Jug, Nothing on Deck and Green Sapphire (2004 Corowa Cup winner and 2003-2004 `Albury Horse of the Year' ). Jodie currently trains Heart of Brookton and Persian Prince for Clanbrooke . Jodie generally has up to 15 horses in work at any one time. Jodie runs a lovely ‘boutique’ establishment that ensures that her horses are always magnificently prepared for racing.

Brett Cavanough

Brett Cavanough is based at Albury on the border between NSW and Victoria and trains from an 80 box stable complex adjacent to the Albury racecourse. Brett believes that the country environment suits horses who would otherwise not be at home in city stables. His belief is well founded and Brett was the leading NSW country trainer for the 2006-07 season.

Brett also takes a number of horses to Qld for the firmer tracks over the winter months and has recently resumed the training of Clanbrooke stable horse Ask The Music who will accompany him this winter. Brett trained Ask The Music to all five career wins to date.