The life of Ian Gurney has taken a few hits on the health and financial front in recent years, but the old trainer was able to smile when his old partner was honored earlier this year.
The 62-year-old rider has some of the largest highlights in Harnas racing through the career of tough gelding Avonnova through his peak between 2014 to 2016.
Several group victories were claimed during that period and were named the Queensland Harness Horse of the Year on three consecutive occasions.
Avonnova went to the races in December 2018 for the last time.
The only element of the career of Avonnova to be achieved was a race that was named after Gurney’s Charished Pacer.
A race in honor of him was installed at the end of May of this year in the Sunshine State Racing calendar when the inaugural Avonnova Open was disputed more than 2138 meters in Albion Park.
Avonnova was the superstar of his era, so it was appropriate to see another big name win, the very first race named after Gurney’s Champion with a jump to fame that launched the prize.
It was a step during the trip for the legendary jump to Roem who ended with his second Inter Dominion Crown earlier this month.
Gurney has recently fought against countless health problems and financial fights and he was in the clouds to see his big pacer being honored.
“It meant everything,” said Gurney.
“He meant everything for me that horse, he wore the stable. I was lucky that I had him and I was very proud to see the race after him named after him.
“I was overjoyed to see him win a group 1 during his career. He was just the toughest old horse and gave me everything he had every time he raced.”
The career of Avonnova was colored by the 2015 Sunshine Sprint group, a Newcastle Mile and Gold Coast Cup Triumph the year before, as well as a SWAG of other black triumphs.
He became a Dual Gold Coast Cup champion in 2016.
He won an amazing 55 races in his career and slightly less than $ 1 million in commitment.
Gurney had long been in a discussion with Racing Queensland’s Harness Operations Manager Brett Rail about the prospect of his former champion called a race after him.
Although nowadays Gurney has no champions in his barn, he is quiet faith in a few of the young people he works with.
After training more than 25 winners in every season between 2014 and 2020, which reached a high figure of 42 triumphs in the 2019-2020 season, the conditioner slowly built up his stable backup after his health and financial problems.
Gurney says it was a tough fight to work his racing team again after he had previously had a number of regular Saturday evening candidates at his disposal.
He has seven winners in his name this period with CullectingCardles, Cardlesfromheaven, many gamblers and Lanai who fly the flag for the team.
Gurney’s Fairney View Property has also become a sense of pride for the experienced rider.
The respected Purdon Yard used the facility to accommodate their horses during the recent carnival, while other stables have also been foundation guests in recent years.
“When we came here, there was nothing but a barn and 20 stables,” he said.
“We had to do everything ourselves with some traders.
“It came up spectacularly after five years of hard work. I am really happy with it and hopefully I can train some winners out of it.”
The double group 1-winning trainer says that he focuses most of his attention on the next generation of his stable.
“I’m waiting for them to get through babies,” said Gurney.
“The babies are not far away; we just have to be patient. I’m really happy at the moment; the babies are going well.
“Hopefully they can show a little promise. I have never done the babies before; I usually buy the older horses and manure with them, so this is something new for me.
“Hopefully I can continue with them, it will be great.”
Former Kiwi -young Fitzroy is one of which Gurney has high expectations.
The Delight Pacer of the Bettor had four starts for the Purdon team in NZ for one win and three placements.
“I am really happy with him, he walked well in a group 1,” Gurney said about Fitzroy.
“I just tipped him for a while, so that he can fill in and grow a little. He is almost ready to return to the races and he is probably the baby who shows the most promise.
“But I have a few others I have bred who will be fine, I think.”
Through Jordan Gerrans For racing Queensland
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