1000 wins and counting

28 May 2026

MICHAEL DUMESNY | 

There are few harness racing participants that celebrate major milestones in their craft better than Bathurst’s Nathan Turnbull and his supporters.

And yet another one is likely to be celebrated after he was able to bring up his 1000th winner as a trainer at Young on Tuesday night.

A fourth-generation horseman from the famous Turnbull family from The Lagoon on the outskirts of Bathurst, Nathan first took out his trainer’s licence back in the 2001-02 season when he prepared just two winners.

Now, over two decades later that included a 10-year hiatus from the training ranks due to work and family commitments, the 43-year-old has captured a significant milestone that is reserved for only the best.

Turnbull has captured the New South Wales Trainers Premiership for the past two seasons and is well on the way to making it three in succession as he currently holds a commanding 40-win lead over his nearest rival KerryAnn Morris with 94 winners.

“It has certainly been a long and winding road to reach the 1000,” Turnbull said.

“But our last few seasons have been awesome, and special milestones like this one, and winning premierships make it all worth the challenge of training a big team of horses.

“I know I am repeating myself by saying that I cannot take all the credit myself, we have a great team of people at home headed up by Carly that put in so much hard work and long hours.

“Our kids Jett and Lacey are obviously an integral part of it as well, and with Jett driving the winner on Tuesday, it made the achievement all the more memorable.”

It was just four years ago that the sport celebrated Nathan’s father Steve bringing 4000 career winners, and sister Amanda had previously secured the magical 1000 winner milestone as a trainer too.

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PHOTO: Three generations - Jett, Steve and Nathan Turnbull at the recent Gallagher HRNSW Annual Awards.