Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
While Tom Charlton, 26, might be the son of prominent British-based trainer Roger Charlton, his role as Racing Manager/Assistant to O’Shea wasn't handed to him on a ‘silver platter’.
“I came over (from England) without a job in 2019 and approached John (O’Shea) at the Magic Millions (Gold Coast) as before that I’d spoken to a few people that had spoken very highly of him,” Charlton told TDN AusNZ.
Tom Charlton | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“John’s stable was starting up again and I thought it was a good opportunity to get involved in the journey with him.
“So, I started from the bottom, working hard as a stablehand and trying to earn his respect before I eventually moved into a foreman role, then after a year, into the position I maintain today.”
A three-month stay in Victoria with G1 Melbourne Cup fancy Withhold (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), during the spring of 2018, sparked Charlton’s love for Australia.
Withhold (GB)
He said the health of the Australian thoroughbred industry was the driving force behind leaving the safety net of his father’s stable to forge a path of his own.
“At the beginning with John I thought I’d be here for maybe six months or a year, but quickly I stopped counting the days I’d been here for and started planning for the future,” Charlton said.
“What became very apparent to me early on, was anyone can become involved in racing and hard work is rewarded out here, whereas in England it’s a difficult sport to get into unless you are very well-connected.
“Anyone can become involved in racing and hard work is rewarded out here, whereas in England it’s a difficult sport to get into unless you are very well-connected.” - Tom Charlton
"And while I was born into a very privileged position, I don’t think that’s the way it should be.”
Charlton has thoroughly enjoyed his tenure with O’Shea to date, saying the astute trainer’s meticulous preparation and knowledge of the industry is ‘second to none'.
He said there was no doubt in his mind that O’Shea would return to the top of the Sydney training ranks after parting ways with Godolphin in April 2017.
“A lot of people ask me what it’s like to work with John and I always say no matter what he did in life he’d be very successful because he’s a very well-thought-out, intelligent man that works hard,” Charlton said.
John O'Shea
“When I first started, we were growing and rebuilding and while we weren’t having the success we are today, I knew that the way John did things it wouldn’t take long for the rewards to come.”
Despite boasting a remarkable resume for his age, Charlton doesn’t endeavour to set up his own training establishment or return to England anytime soon.
He said he isn’t looking too far ahead and that he is excited by what the future holds with O’Shea as the stable continues to expand.
“Like all things, you have to grow at the right speed, you need to make sure you have the staff in place because you want to make sure that the quality doesn’t drop as you expand,” Charlton said.
“Like all things, you have to grow at the right speed, you need to make sure you have the staff in place because you want to make sure that the quality doesn’t drop as you expand.” - Tom Charlton
“But John would definitely like to expand and while box space is a premium at Randwick, our other stable at Hawkesbury, which we aren’t racing out of yet, has allowed us to do more work with the horses.”
Maximal to make his mark
Charlton, who played a vital role in identifying Frankel’s (GB) three-quarter brother Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as a horse that would be suited to Australian conditions, said the Juddemonte Farms and Rosemont Stud-owned entire is trending in the right direction after an eye-catching debut Down Under in the Golden Eagle.
Charlton believes the stakes-placed 4-year-old, who finished fourth in the G1 St James’ Palace S. and second to subsequent multiple Group 1 winners Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), will provide a boost to Sydney's middle-distance ranks.
Maximal (GB) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
O’Shea is yet to map out an exact plan for Maximal in the autumn, although noted the G2 Apollo S. in February as a likely return date.
“He’s been back in the stable the last three weeks just doing slow work, it’s evident how well he’s doing, physically and mentally he’s a fresh and happy horse who looks a much stronger conveyance this time in,” Charlton said.
“It’s evident how well he’s (Maximal) doing, physically and mentally he’s a fresh and happy horse who looks a much stronger conveyance this time in.” - Tom Charlton
“His run in the Golden Eagle was indicative that he was looking for further (than 1500 metres) but perhaps the Australian style of training combined with a freshen up might see him come back a bit sharper than he was that day.
“However, he is a horse with a really good cruising speed, a turn of foot and the tactical speed to compete here.”
