Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
What advice would you give to a 20-year-old just starting out in racing today?
“To try to identify what you want to do in racing and work out the best way to get in on the ground level in that area.
“To try to identify what you want to do in racing and work out the best way to get in on the ground level in that area.” - Louis Mihalyka
“Find people in that sphere of racing work to help you get the experience and if at first you can't find them, just keep knocking on doors.”
Are there any figures in the racing industry who you feel deserve more recognition for their contribution?
“The people who do the work behind the scenes and keep racing going. We hear about the star jockeys for example but there are also those who drive do different meetings around the state seven days a week, keeping those meetings going. The same for the stable staff and the administrators - there would be no race meetings without them.”
What has been the biggest obstacle you faced in your career?
“When I started out I soon realised that I was the only one working in racing who didn't have previous experience or contacts. I just decided to give up accountancy and I was fortunate that we didn't have a mortgage or kids so we could take a few risks.
“Originally I was going to start Laurel Oak with a friend but he had both of those things so he changed his mind - though years later his son came to work for us and stayed about ten years, and still helps out.
Louis Mihalyka | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It was tough going at first, we had to borrow money to buy horses and lost money hand over fist in that first five years. But we walked instead of running and with with hard work and perseverance I gradually got a foot-hold into the industry.”
Can you share a story that had a lasting impact on you?
“I grew up in a total no-racing family but courtesy of Melbourne Cups I was taking notice early and at school and then university the boys tended to divide into the marijuana and music groups and the beer and gambling - and my natural tendency was to the latter!
“I was dead keen by 14 and that is when I went to my first race meeting at Randwick. I still remember half the winners and the fact that I was so new to it all - I didn't even know how to put a bet on.
“I loved the horse Tails and when I was playing sport on Saturday's I would set up my tape recorder and ask mum to set her alarm and tape his race so I could listen to them afterwards.
Tails with jockey Sammy Howard | Image courtesy of John Tapp Racing
“Then at univeristy the guys with the formguides in lectures tended to gravitate towards each other and we'd go to the races.”
And so childhood interest had a major impact on Louis' life but the direction it would take professionally comes down to a moment he had whilst still working as an accountant.
“In my last year our company merged with a smaller one who were looking after Hyperion Thoroughbreds. I went to their offices and there were all these trophies and racing books and when I looked out the window I saw Ubetido walk past on his way to serving a mare, I thought this is great!
“I was dead keen by 14 and that is when I went to my first race meeting at Randwick. I still remember half the winners and the fact that I was so new to it all - I didn't even know how to put a bet on.” - Louis Mihalyka
“I based Laurel Oak syndications on the Hyperion model so that day had a big impact on me.”
Which people influenced your career the most?
“I think that the accountant's brain leads one to pedigrees, wanting to see if there is a logical way to achieve success. So I have always been interested, I'd read magazines and books and had my own ideas.
Louis Mihalyka and trainer Gary Portelli | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I had met (the late) Patrick Brain before and then approached him about being his Australasian agent and as he fed me his research I realised that I was amateur league and he was premier league! I learned a great deal from him and we became great friends.”
