12 June 2019
NEW UPDATE | AMY REES
BATHURST reinsman Mitch Turnbull reached the milestone of driving 250 winners last week which also saw him reach the end of his concession driving claim.
The win came after Turnbull steered Phizzwizard home in the first race at Bathurst last Wednesday, making that the duo’s third win together.
In Turnbull’s short career he has driven in 2031 races resulting in 250 wins and 505 placings, with one of his most memorable wins being the Enacon Group Bathurst Mayors Cup at this year’s Gold Crown Carnival aboard Courtsinsession.
The six-year-old gelding has earnt his place as Turnbull’s favourite, providing him with five wins and five seconds out of the 10 times they have crossed the finish line together.
“He’s been very consistent and is going really well at the moment,” Turnbull said.
“Conviction is also another favourite of mine because we ran second in the Breeders Challenge Group 1 Final, he’s probably the best horse I have driven.”
Although having spent time with leading trainers in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, Turnbull’s greatest influences have been his father Steve (Turnbull) and sister Amanda (Turnbull).
Both leading trainers and drivers themselves, Steve and Amanda have helped Turnbull in his driving and training career.
“Steve has been great to have as a father and a boss and both he and Amanda have been a massive help with driving and training the horses,” he said.
Although he no longer has a claim, Turnbull has many goals still ahead of him including training his own team one day.
With father Steve looking to slow down in the future, Turnbull hopes that he will be able to expand his career as a trainer.
“Hopefully within the next three years I’ll have my trainers’ licence and a small team of horses, I’m hoping to slowly expand as Steve winds down,” Turnbull claimed.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au • @Amanda_Rando