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 Gelding, Doubly Sure as well as Classic Clanbrooke's Skystreamer (Fantastic Light - Meribel), and Matumi (Johannesburg-Only Wood Filly).
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 Invincible Spirit (Invincible Spirit - Grey
Dolphin Filly) and Temple Dancer (Danehill Dancer - Temple Filly).
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 Schwarzer, Allanthus, Astronomo, Odin Warrior, Devil's Mountain, Jaspa Collection and Rescheduled for Clanbrooke.
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.
Brian and Clanbrooke have only recently retired the ever-consistent mare, Gala Evening
( 40: 6-11-5), and Brian currently trains a 2YO Black Hawk Colt as well as a 2YO
Half Hennessey Gelding for Clanbrooke. Previous successful partnerships between Clanbrooke and Brian have
included Jack Be It (5 wins), Fine Way (4 wins), Sweetly So
(2 wins), Jumping Jane (1 win), Lanie Lass (1 win) and Spin and Miss (1 win).
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, began his International career in style, winning his first two starts and looks to have the goods.
We wish Cliff the best of luck in his new abode and look forward to more 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.
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.
More information about Simon and the stable he trains for - Aquanita, can be found here.
Heath Conners
Heath was destined to be a horse trainer becoming the
third generation of trainers in the Conners family following in the
footsteps of his grandfather and father.
His apprenticeship was guided by his father, four time Golden Slipper
winning trainer Clarry Conners. It was soon apparent Heath was not only a
good horseman but a people person too. Heath quickly climbed the ranks to be
foreman for the Sydney stable and then assistant trainer for the satellite
Melbourne stable.
During his years with his father, Heath was instrumental in assisting with
the preparation of racehorses the likes of Encounter (6 Group One wins),
Prowl (Golden Slipper), Mossman (Group One winner) and Belle Du Jour (Golden
Slipper and Newmarket Hcp).
In 2003 Heath gained his own trainers license appropriately training out of
boxes at Caulfield’s “The Heath”.
In a short time Heath quickly established himself as one of Melbourne’s
leading young trainers, and has steadily risen up the trainer’s premiership
with his small team of horses. He has enjoyed many city winners including
the listed winners Con’s Amy and At the Oasis and group placegetters
Heavenly Pun, Loyal Lauren and Davcon.
The biggest highlight of his short career was with the very promising Chasm
who Heath trained to win the Group 3 Sandown Stakes.
Heath prides himself on tailoring a horse’s training regime to their
particular needs and abilities. He has enjoyed great success by nurturing
tried and unwanted horses back to the winner’s enclosure.
Heath is the latest addition to the Aquanita stable and it won’t be long
before he makes his presence felt.
More information about Heath 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.
Despite handing in his trainers license around the middle of 2008 due to personal issues, Mark has now resumed training from new premises and has recently taken over the training of Acatabove. We wish him well.
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.
In 2008, Trent became stable foreman for Tony Vasil and Aquanita at Caulfield. Trent currently trains a `Mayneda Strategy' under the Aquanita banner and we wish him well with this exciting filly.
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 Apparel Prince, 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 Apparel Prince, Heart of Brookton and Rumble King for Clanbrooke . Jodie generally has up to 15 horses in work at any one time and runs a lovely ‘boutique’ establishment that ensures that her horses are always magnificently prepared for racing.
John Salanitri
John’s
career with racehorses began at age 14 when he commenced working for Angus
Armanasco. As an apprentice to Armanasco, John had the opportunity to watch
a legend in action as well as having the opportunity to ride some champion
gallopers - both for the home stable and for other trainers as well. Now John brings that ‘hands-on’ experience to his own stable at Caulfield. He regularly rides his own track work, allowing him the undeniable benefit to make first hand assessments of his horses.
Check out our Horses for Sale page to see what horses Clanbrooke have listed to be trained by John - John can be found
here.
Rod Symons
Rod Symons heads an intimate Racing Stable situated in the peaceful Bendigo area. Rod prides himself in his ability to accommodate the specific, individual needs of his horses. As Rod writes on his website, “…horses can keep a happy, healthy mind in a natural environment and then settle down to the job of racing when they are required.”
Last racing season, Rod boasted a terrific 16% strike rate. His’s many successes to date include the twice Group placed Ruben, winner of over $408K and 14 races, Fifeshire, winner of 12 races and over $312K, as well as Special Grange who placed at Stakes level on 4 occasions.
Check out our Horses for Sale page to see what horses Clanbrooke have listed to be trained by Rod.
