From Newmarket to Warwick Farm
September 21st 2008 05:07
Mark Wallace:
Sefton Lodge Stables, Bury Road,
Newmarket
Newmarket trainer Mark Wallace is to hand in his English training licence in October, in preparation for a pioneering move to Australia where he will relocate and resume training in Sydney early next year.
Mark Wallace, 35 years of age, made steady progress in the training ranks in England during the past five years - his best horse and finest advertisement for his skills is the game and resilient sprinter Benbaum.
Mark Wallace is the son of a Tipperary doctor who also ran a small stud specialising in jumping horses. As a learning curve the young Mark spent time with trainer John Oxx before landing the plum position as assistant for Aidan O’Brien. Wallace stayed at Ballydoyle for two years before moving again to the employment of Mick Channon - where he would stay for five years before forging out his own identity as a trainer in 2002.
Mark Wallace asked his boss Mick Channon for advice as to whether or not he should have an attempt at training in his own right. Channon not only suggested that he should - but went even further:
“He more or less ordered some of his owners to have horses with me," Mark would later recall.
Wallace has been previously to Australia and made many contacts and friends while working at a stud. And recently he lodged both Peter Moody and Magnus when they arrived in England for Magnus' tilt at Royal Ascot. Peter Moody has had some hand in the decision and clearly encouraged Wallace to take this pioneering decision. Similar to the advice once given by Mick Channon to take his opportunities as they arise.
And some comments on his latest move:
“People might wonder why I'm leaving when things are going well here but this is a chance to do something that's never been done before. To the best of my knowledge, no trainer has gone from Britain to set up in Australia. I'm the right age to take it on and nothing is tying me to this country - my girlfriend, Lisa O'Neill, is coming out with me.” - Mark Wallace.
“Surprisingly, I haven't had to jump through many hoops to make it happen. I'll be based at the Warwick Farm track in Sydney and the Australian Jockey Club have indicated they're keen to have me, both as a new young trainer on the site and as someone from overseas.
“I love training in Newmarket but the money is very good in Australia and I just relish the challenge of making it work. Some of my existing owners, including the Plantation Stud, say they will have horses with me and I'll be busy at the yearling sales when they start there in January.”
The well-regarded Wallace won two Listed races in his first season training and catapulted into prominence through Benbaun, the Group 1- winning sprinter.
"He only cost me seven grand and he's put me on the map," said Wallace. "Winning a Group 1 (the Prix de l' Abbaye] on Arc day last year was a big boost and he'll run in the race again next month – though I won't have many horses left here by then."
Sefton Lodge Stables, Bury Road,
Newmarket
Benbaum - Mark Wallace's star sprinter
Newmarket trainer Mark Wallace is to hand in his English training licence in October, in preparation for a pioneering move to Australia where he will relocate and resume training in Sydney early next year.
Mark Wallace, 35 years of age, made steady progress in the training ranks in England during the past five years - his best horse and finest advertisement for his skills is the game and resilient sprinter Benbaum.
Mark Wallace is the son of a Tipperary doctor who also ran a small stud specialising in jumping horses. As a learning curve the young Mark spent time with trainer John Oxx before landing the plum position as assistant for Aidan O’Brien. Wallace stayed at Ballydoyle for two years before moving again to the employment of Mick Channon - where he would stay for five years before forging out his own identity as a trainer in 2002.
Mark Wallace asked his boss Mick Channon for advice as to whether or not he should have an attempt at training in his own right. Channon not only suggested that he should - but went even further:
“He more or less ordered some of his owners to have horses with me," Mark would later recall.
And some comments on his latest move:
“People might wonder why I'm leaving when things are going well here but this is a chance to do something that's never been done before. To the best of my knowledge, no trainer has gone from Britain to set up in Australia. I'm the right age to take it on and nothing is tying me to this country - my girlfriend, Lisa O'Neill, is coming out with me.” - Mark Wallace.
“Surprisingly, I haven't had to jump through many hoops to make it happen. I'll be based at the Warwick Farm track in Sydney and the Australian Jockey Club have indicated they're keen to have me, both as a new young trainer on the site and as someone from overseas.
“I love training in Newmarket but the money is very good in Australia and I just relish the challenge of making it work. Some of my existing owners, including the Plantation Stud, say they will have horses with me and I'll be busy at the yearling sales when they start there in January.”
The well-regarded Wallace won two Listed races in his first season training and catapulted into prominence through Benbaun, the Group 1- winning sprinter.
"He only cost me seven grand and he's put me on the map," said Wallace. "Winning a Group 1 (the Prix de l' Abbaye] on Arc day last year was a big boost and he'll run in the race again next month – though I won't have many horses left here by then."
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