THE BIG STABLE CONUNDRUM

By Graham Potter | Saturday, August 2, 2025

The domination of the big racing stables around the country is obviously no surprise to any racing enthusiast, but just how much they outdistance their rivals in terms of numbers will possibly raise some eyebrows.

Before we go there, it must be acknowledged that not only have all of these top trainers earned their success, but it is the kind of success that has a way of gathering a momentum of its own.

The more winners a trainer gets, the more they come to the attention of influential owners with bigger chequebooks … the more they then attract better quality thoroughbreds … the more big income-generating race options become available … and that is generally how they graduate to secure a place in the big trainer scenario.

And you can put that sequence on a loop as the cycle generally continues to repeat over and over again.

Also, this can only work for trainers who have highly sophisticated systems in place, from office administration through to direct horse stable management and client communication and, not least, the putting in place of quality staff, either through training or careful selection.

That takes an incredible amount of focus, dedication and discipline on the part of the trainer.

The money might just keep flowing in … but it is no easy gig.

Good luck to them.
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Looking at the Metro meeting statistics for the 2024/25 season

So, here we go …

In New South Wales, Chris Waller has sent out 1233 starters, 764 runners more than the trainer with the next highest number of starters … Ciaron Maher (469 runners … or 38 percent of the number posted by Waller).

In Victoria, Ciaron Maher has sent out 804 starters, 304 runners more than the stable with the next highest number of runners … Ben, Will and JD Hayes (500 runners …or 62 percent of the number of runners posted by Maher).

In Queensland Tony Gollan has saddled 853 runners, 408 starters more than the trainer with the next highest number of starters …none other than Chris Waller (445 runners … or 52 percent of the number posted by Gollan).
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The state-wide statistics for the 2024/25 season obviously show a similar trend, with a slight twist coming out of Victoria.

In New South Wales Chris Waller had 1537 runners, 532 starters more than the stable with the next highest number of runners … Anabel and Rob Archibald (1005 runners … or 65 percent of the number posted by Waller). That Waller number is twice as much as the runners sent out by the third and fourth placed trainers on the ladder combined (Bjorn Baker – 712 and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott – 643).

In Victoria this result was an exception. The statewide statistics showed a not one, but a two stable domination in terms of numbers with the Ben, Will and JD Hayes stable (the state premiership winners) saddling 1488 starters and Ciaron Maher (the runner-up) saddling 1512 starters. Again though, both of these top two stables individually saddled more runners than the third and fourth placed stables combined (Anthony and Sam Freedman – 625 and Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) – 722).

In Queensland Tony Gollan has saddled 1173 runners, 468 starters more than the trainer with the next highest number of runners … Stuart Kendrick (705 runners … or 60 percent of the number posted by Gollan)).
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For those who approve of this state of play and for those who loath it … the bottom line is the same.

This stark imbalance between stables is not going to change. In fact, in all probability, the gap is going to get bigger and bigger moving forward.

As explained, it is the right of any trainer to get as big as they can in terms of horse numbers., but, just where that might lead and what will the collateral damage be, is the big question moving forward.
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While all of the above can be acknowledged, the words of the late Pat Duff arguably still gives the best perspective on the matter.

A very wise man, Duff spoke on this very subject back in June 2022 and his views are well worth revisiting here.

“I think we now have to adhere to the fact that the world of small trainers is starting to fade away,” said Duff.

“I look at the racing landscape now as being similar to the supermarket situation. You’ve got your super stores and you’ve got your corner stores. Coles and Woolworths are obviously the super stores, and the corner stores are fading out. I think the small trainer has become the corner store in that example.

“For a trainer to have three or four hundred horses in their care would never have been heard of in days gone by, but it simply is the case today and that is what we have to live with. The corner store is being left behind.”

“It is a fact of life … and the simple bottom line is that we can’t do much to change that.”

*Stats taken from official State Racing websites