Bold move paying off for Donovan

14 July 2023

It has been five years since former Queenslander Jamie Donovan made a huge lifestyle decision to relocate to Tamworth.

The full-time Accountant trains a small team of horses alongside wife Rachel in the country music capital and the move south has paid dividends for the couple as already, after just six months of the current season elapsing, Donovan has already eclipsed his previous best score of winners as a trainer.

“Our team is currently racing well, and we are more than happy with the fair share of success that has come our way,” said Donovan.

“Working full time and training horses proves to be a challenge for any hobby trainer but Rachel and I enjoy what we do, and Tamworth is great to place to live and race horses from.

“Next week marks our five-year anniversary since moving from Queensland and we have no regrets.”

Donovan will make the trek down to Newcastle tonight where he has three horses engaged.

Rainbow Jet, Mister Artikulate, and Paratrouper are engaged in the first three races respectively and Donovan believes that each have realistic chances.

And his choice of engaging two inform Tamworth drivers in Caitlin McElhinney and Tom Ison certainly bolsters his chances and confidence.

“On paper Mister Artikulate appears to be the best of our chances tonight,” said Donovan.

“He is racing well and despite drawing gate ten he should gain a suitable run through the field over the 2030 metre trip.

“Paratrouper has drawn nicely in gate one but does come against some stiff opposition, while I have been pleased with the way Rainbow Jet has been racing, but his gate eight draw will be difficult to overcome.

“All three horses have been competitive week in and week out, I just hope they can keep the ball rolling tonight.”

The nine-race program at Newcastle tonight commences at 6:10pm and pre-post favourite Major Mickey does looks to be the horse to beat on paper after drawing ideally in gate two.

A recent addition to the Cessnock stables of Mick Formosa, the gelding is coming off a last start third at Tamworth behind Dollarsign where he was only gunned down late, beaten by five metres in a 1:58.5 mile rating.

Despite having 65 wins on his scoresheet, 21-year-old Andrew Bourke is claiming five concession points, allowing Major Mickey to drop in grade.