The figures are astounding but of little concern to Darley Stud’s head trainer Peter Snowden. The one time jockey, who was there from the start when Jack and Bob Ingham launched the famed Woodlands Stud, is a one day at a time type.
When Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed paid some $500m for Woodlands and rebranded the empire under the Darley Banner, Snowden was retained as the trainer.
The Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas examined Snowden’s achievements since the 2008 takeover and they reveal there has been 1097 race wins while some $65 million in prizemoney has been banked.
There has been 23 group 1 winners and Snowden explained “all we do here [Crown Lodge] is a reflection of the stud”.
Snowden has stables at Warwick Farm, and the magnificent Agnes Bank’s training complex on the out skirts of Sydney, while there is a stable at Flemington which was set up by the Inghams.
As the spring carnival bears down Snowden’s team is on the rise. The juvenile two time group 1 winner Guelph returns in the Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday while the unbeaten Safeguard goes round in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
“Guelph has come back excellent, couldn’t be happier,” Snowden said on Friday.
“She has always been a huge horse, it was a big advantage as a two-year-old and she hasn’t changed now.
“She was very mature as a two-year-old and she appears to have gone on with it.”
Darley’s retained rider Kerrin McEvoy has opted to stay in Sydney for the Randwick meeting and Guelph was the key.
“Kerrin has been taken by how she is going, he believes she has become a push button type.”
Snowden is never one to get carried away. Asked about Safeguard and the workaholic horseman replied “a nice horse”.
“He cannot do any more than win,” Snowden said.
“A tough race, he is under the pump, his biggest test.”
A quote similar to that given when asked about the lighly raced four-year-old Sessions. The winner of four from six outings Sessions, along with stablemate Kuroshio, resumes in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes which sees the return of Black Caviar’s only serious rival Hay List.
“I’m reserving my judgement on Sessions, time will tell,” Snowden said.
“The proof will be in the pudding, he is starting to meet the A graders now but I’ve been happy with how he is going and he trialled good.
“It will be his toughest test, as for Kuroshio the 1000m is perfect.”
Another returning for the spring is Champollion which resumes in the Ming Dynasty Quality at Randwick while Bello goes round in the Tramway Stakes.
“Bello is no superstar and is meeting a hot field,” Snowden said.
“His first-up run at Caulfield was great and he has never been going better.
“It is a tough race, a mini Epsom, but he is the type that always gives his best.
“Champollion, he is expected to run well but he’ll improve with racing.”
By Craig Young
