Australian racing’s first lady, Gai Waterhouse speaks to Secretariat’s World about her hopes and plans
for her charge English, who prepares to contest the race for a second time. The Australian Icon together
with her partner Adrian Bott are in the race to win.
Bott said “I think she showed in the Doomben 10,000 in Queensland that she’s still capable of producing
her best ratings, figures and form and we expect that to carry through to the spring,
The figures out of the races up there were very strong and she’s showed that she’s good enough to win
The Everest.”
Australia’s Living Treasure, Gai Waterhouse will have the super mare peaking for the A$13 million
Everest (1200m).
Q - English has blossomed under your tutelage. Were you her first trainer? What do you remember most
about those initial days?
A - Yes, I am her first trainer. I remember he being a very athletic filly. She was light on her feet and
quick thinking.
Q - How has she changed?
A - She has matured and is now a much stronger mare. She is more settled in her disposition but never
lost her determination and her will.
Q - Would you consider her Doomben 10,000 (2018) race as her career best?
A - It would be right up there with the best. She’s been consistent in every run, even when she has been
beaten.
Q - She looks like a thorough professional at the racecourse. What would you say about her personality
off course?
A - She is quite a feisty mare on the race track and off the course she is very docile and easy to handle
Q - Is she good at direction and does she take orders easily?
A - She is very responsive to commands of the trainer and riders
Q - What kind of a horse is she to train?
A - She is a joy- Adrian and I wish we had a stable full of English’s
Q - Does she have a fan following amongst your staff?
A - Very much so
Q – What is she lie once she is back from the racecourse? Would you say once she’s back home, she’s
just like everyone else?
A - No she is not. She has a strong personality which makes her very special, and is the attribute that
makes her such a great mare
Q - What is in store for her over the next few months?
A- Well her main mission is to win the Everest
Q - Are there any lead-up races you are hoping to get her into?
A - No she will go to the normal races – Shorts and Premier to get her ready for the day
Q - And what are our plans for her after The Everest?
A – We can look at the Group 1 sprints in Melbourne
Q - Will she be retired directly or go to race in 2019?
A - Strong prep will allow her to race on
Q - What about Prompt Response, who is another mare expected to get into The Everest?
A - Prompt Response is a quality mare; look at her race record. She is one of the best looking mares in
the stable and we are hoping she will get a slot
Q - Has she begun training with The Everest in mind?
A - She won the TAB Tiara in QLD and she went out for a spell. She is back in training now
Q - Are there any races you hope to race her in prior to The Everest?
A - The standard race’s to prepare her for Everest
Q - Are there any contenders you are concerned about at this early stage for English?
A- They are all competitive and hard to beat.
Q - What are your thoughts about The Everest racing format?
A – It certainly grabbed people’s attention. Everyone is very keen to be part of this prestigious race
especially with the prize money.
Q - Do you see syndicates rising or do you feel the affluent Arabs and Asians are soon to become
prominently active in the ANZ region?
A- Syndicates are taking up the bulk in most stables in Australia
Q - And finally, could you tell us a bit more about your family?
A - My family are all involved with racing. Our daughter Kate and Daughter in Law all own race horses
and are heavily involved. At the moment I am teaching all the grandchildren to horse ride.
Published In EverestDiaries Issue 2, Vol 2
click To view the complete The Everest library - http://secretariatsworld.com/magazines/EDII_Final_180715.pdf
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com