“I could, if I could apply myself to anything other than horses,” – Kristen Buchanan.
Unfortunately for the world of medicine Buchanan is into thoroughbreds. She may have a degree in human biology and exercise physiology but training racehorses on the Central Coast is all consuming .
“Basically it is about sport science and a pre-med degree,” said Buchanan who has 15 horses in work at Wyong and two are chasing metropolitan victories in coming days.
“I’ve been training in NSW for the last three years. prior to that I worked for West Australian trainer Neville Parnham for about eight years.
“I also had a small stable, a couple of horses in work, I was breaking and pre-training.”
Buchanan took the first of many riding lessons at the age of three. She then “harassed” the parents to get a pony.
“When I went to uni in WA I had to find work that I could fit around my studies,” Buchanan said.
That led to Buchanan entering a thoroughbred stable and riding trackwork. She still does today and has helpers to ensure the horses are worked exactly how she’d like.
Buchanan rises at 2.30am and the early morning rides include the likes of Lucky News, which runs in a 1300m Maiden at Hawkesbury today, and Two Blue which is down to run in a Benchmark 75 at Rosehill on Saturday.
“I think she’ll [Lucky News] run a very nice race,” Buchanan said.
“Her work has been very good, I was pleased with her first start and the extra distance will suit.
“Two Blue has form around Genteel, which won at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day and Hidden Warrior, which won a group 3 at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day.”
Two Blue is raced by a team headed by Ken Dennis who Buchanan describes as a breeder who “has done a lovely job” and adds“he has some nice horses coming through”.
As for Lucky News, well Buchanan’s partner Andrew Marshall and breeder Colin Wilson race the horse.
“Colin is fantastic, he is from Toowoomba in Queensland,” Buchanan said.
“He is a really big supporter, does all his own breeding, he is hands on, picks the stock to send to me.”
And Marshall is a major player. A bond’s trader Marshall operates from home. Buchanan and Marshall are currently putting the finishing touches on a “100 acre property at Wyee”.
On-course training and a private complex are on the way.
“Andrew owns a decent number of shares in the horses,” Buchanan said.
“He is not from a horsey background but he gets in and helps. We’re not a bad team, he loves the social side and is very good with owners.”
That leaves Buchanan to work on the horses. Those like Lucky News and Two Blue.
“I’ve had one winner in town and this is a big deal,” Buchanan said. “It is nice to have a couple of horses in the barn that could be a bit serious.”
So much for the medical world.
By Craig Young
