Jamie, whose stalwart mare Faith Full (Majestic Son) added another victory to her record in the Speeding Spur at the Woodlands Stud Horsham Trotters Cup on Sunday, has had more than his share of tests and trials in his time.
Jamie had to interrupt his schedule while raising his severely disabled son Jason, who was in a wheelchair from birth.
And that clearly influenced his path through life.
Growing up as a young boy, all Jamie thought about was horses, despite growing up in the suburb of Lalor.
I was related to the Hoysteds in Wangaratta, so every school holiday I would ride my push bike to their stables to help out.
Even at that stage he realized that thoroughbred racing was a much more professional pursuit, but harness racing was ideal for the hobby trainer who turned his attention to standard breeds.
And so he started going to the Yarrambat complex, a thriving running center on the outskirts of North East Melbourne. It was there that, in addition to obtaining his license, he learned from many running coaches, including the late Gordon Rothacker, whom he idolized as a young man. Other running identities who helped included Charlie Farrugia, Ron Francis and George Mahar.
The late Scott Stewart even rode for me at one point.
I worked part-time shifts for Carlton and United Breweries for about twenty years, which allowed me to become a part-time hobbyist running trainer.
But I used to work as a groomer, which I enjoyed doing. After some time I decided to work full-time as a groomer.
At the same time, my wife Bec and I realized that property was too expensive in our area of Whittlesea and Wallan. We have found a lovely property in Shepparton and we think it is ideal.
As a full-time groomer, I ride approximately 120,000 km per year and treat all types of horses. It can be tough and in the summer it is very hot with lots of flies. I work for a lot of horse people, including the Miles in Romsey, and I also go to Wangaratta. Bec is a trainer of thoroughbreds and currently employs three at Benalla.
I was also very interested in greyhounds. At one point I trained thirty, including prolific winners Papaya and Jet To Burn. We now only have one greyhound.
FAITH COMPLETELY DECEMBER 8 REPEAT
But back to Faith Full, who has now won ten races this time. After racing outside the leader on the final lap, Faith Full rode flawlessly and was confidently handled by James Herbertson. She comfortably held off El Conqueror and Jakarta with a score of 2.5.7 for the 2700 meter test run.
She has been a real little ripper since I owned her. She was very tested at first, with a few gallops in the beginning. But now she’s getting her confidence and she’s come through with her grades and I thought, let’s have a go at the Horsham Cup today.
She’s just so tough. It was a big question mark whether she would reach that distance.
She seems to like the mile and over 7,000 feet distance. This was a bit iffy, but she’s done with it and is doing pretty well. The way she worked during the week, I was pretty confident she would make the distance.
So I couldn’t be happier with her.
I just enjoy buying horses and racing them week in and week out. Whether they win or not, I just enjoy going to the races with them.
That little faith, she just keeps going and performing so well. The woman is training them gallopers and she keeps asking me if we are going to cast another spell on her. And I said: a mare in the shape you can’t spell. You just keep running them. She’ll tell me when she’s ready for a spell.
And she keeps getting better and better with the consistent racing.
Egan reflected on how he came to have Faith Full.
I have retired Harley Blue, a pacer of mine, who had a tendon done. And I was looking for a new horse to buy. Another pacer and I had never trained a trotter in my life. And the woman actually found Faith Full for sale. I told her it’s a trotter, forget it. I don’t train trotters. And a few days later I still couldn’t find a pacer, she was still there. I kept coming back to her and decided to bite the bullet and give trotter training a try. And I haven’t looked back since.
I have a good chiropractor Peter Smith, who is a canter trainer, and he has been working on her back after every run. Every time she runs, she comes to a stop with a sore back and Peter has played a big role in that. And the woman is extremely picky with her diet and makes sure she sounds completely happy and healthy, and she just thrives on the love and care.
Egan also has a trotter Aldebaran Buddy on whom he hopes.
He defeated Faith Full in a test by ten meters. He fared well and beat her by ten yards before tearing his hind legs open in a fence. It’s been two months and he just came back today.
Faith Full is now ready for next Sunday’s Gunbower Trotters Cup.
Egan still remembers the days when he would take young Jason on fun laps in his wheelchair. We went everywhere, both short and long distances.
I clearly remember the last time we did the Lorne Fun Run, but Jason couldn’t continue and I realized that was the end.
Jason passed away in 2017.
Because Jason played such a big role in Jamie’s life, he is still remembered fondly. And following Faith Full’s win over Horsham it would certainly have been another emotional moment for Jamie whose dedication as a father remains an inspiration to us all. And it’s people like Jamie who make the sport of running such a dignified and close-knit family that we are all privileged to be part of.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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