A quickfire round with Annabel Neasham.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2020?
Annabel Neasham: I had some great moments with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace earlier on in the Spring, with some big wins, including the Magic Millions 2YO race and Etah James winning the Sydney cup, but on a par with those would be my first winner as a trainer at Scone with Commanding Missile over 1100m.
TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?
AN: My 30th birthday Hawaiian boat party in November – it was a blast and there were some sensational outfits.
Annabel Neasham (right)
TDN AusNZ: What is the best thing about starting the year with Magic Millions on the Gold Coast? Do you have a restaurant to recommend?
AN: Starting the year with the Magic Millions is like starting the year with a working holiday – it’s a work hard, play hard week with a great atmosphere. You get to catch up with clients and friends and it’s a fantastic way to kick start a new year.
Fingers crossed Annastacia Palaszczuk opens the borders so we can get there this year.
If you’re a big seafood fan like myself, you can’t go wrong with Omeros Brothers Seafood Restaurant – one of my favourites.
TDN AusNZ: Whose progeny have impressed you so far on your Magic Millions inspections?
AN: There have been a lot of nice first season sires this year. I’ve been particularly taken with the Hellbents, Impendings and Pariahs.
Impending | Standing at Northwood Park
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day. Who would it be, and why?
AN: I’d like to be the credit controller at Magic Millions for the day so I could approve Annabel Neasham Racing $10 million interest-free credit!
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of the decade? Domestic and international.
AN: It would have to be Kauto Star who won three Gold Cups.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
AN: Ashema – she ran 2nd in the Inglis Nursery race at Randwick and went into that race fairly soft after just one trial. I think she can measure up in the Autumn 2-year-old feature races. She has the sweetest temperament and biggest heart.
TDN AusNZ: What do you consider the greatest sporting moment this decade (not solely racing related).
AN: Victoria Pendleton completing the 2016 Foxhunters’ chase at Cheltenham. Victoria, who was a double Olympic Cycling Champion in the UK, retired from cycling and was set a challenge to learn how to ride within a year and compete in the Foxhunters’ Chase at Cheltenham on Gold Cup Day. She finished fifth which was an astounding result for someone who had only been riding for a year.
Victoria Pendleton following her ride at Cheltenham
TDN AusNZ: Who is the most under-rated stallion in Australasia?
AN: Smart Missile – they can be quirky but he produces an awful lot of winners year in year out.
TDN AusNZ: What is your New Year's Resolution for 2021? Can you remember your 2020 resolution? Did you achieve it?
AN: My resolution for 2021 is to exercise more and eat less – the same as every other year. Training can be an unhealthy lifestyle but in 2021 I’m going to run a full marathon and I’m also going to ride in the Bong Bong cup – watch this space.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2021?
AN: I’d like there to be an Australian racing school, similar to the British Racing School – where young people can go to learn how to ride. We have a serious shortage of good trackwork riders in Australia. There are some organisations that do this, such as TAFE but more funding needs to be put into this from Racing NSW.
