When West Australian harness racing trainer Sarah Wall quit her safe and secure government job to do horses full-time, she wanted to have a crack – even if it lasted only six months.
“I thought, well you only live once and if it didn’t work out, I could always go back with my tail between my legs to my old job,” Wall, based at Bunbury, two hours south of Perth, said.
But five years later, the energetic horsewoman has built up a team of 10, with a few more waiting to come in, and things have been ticking along nicely.
“I’m enjoying it and I just aim to better what I’ve achieved the previous season. We’ve had some luck with the breeding side and that’s helped,” she said.
Wall has prepared 74 winners and 185 placings for over $790,000 in stakemoney.
Four-year-old mare Dontbesillychilli (Western Terror) posted her ninth career win when she took out the $27,000 fillies and mare FFA at Gloucester Park last Friday night (Sept 8)—courtesy of another gem steer by Gary Hall Junior.
“It was just a ripper drive. I’ve been using ‘Junior’ a bit and he saved every centimetre in getting the win,” Wall said.
While the official win dividend was $61, it was reported 100/1 was bet during the week on the aptly named Dontbesillychilli.
“She is actually mad and has virtually destroyed my straight-load Olympic float by kicking the sides and the back in. I’m going to buy an angle float and see if that makes a difference,” Wall said.
“The horse isn’t very big, but she puts in. I call her an adrenaline junkie. We have had some moments on the training track, but I guess I can forgive her now that she’s won two feature races in her past six runs.”
In late June, “Chilli” as she’s known around the stables, claimed The Lewis Pace, of $30,000, at Gloucester Park—again at blow-out odds. On that occasion she started at $41.
“My husband Chris and I purchased her dam Justlikechocolate (13 wins by Live Or Die) when she was put up for sale. She was a really good racemare. We got her off Dave Stringer, who is now one of the owners racing Dontbesillychilli,” Wall said.
“Apart from the three of us, there’s also the Estate of Mark Forster, along with Geoff and Jill Miller and Chris’ parents Tim and Sonya.
“Mark was a close friend. He died from cancer when he was just 35, but had quite a few shares in horses. I know they gave him something to focus on when he wasn’t well. We all decided to submit the names that Mark suggested and Dontbesillychilli was his number one choice.”
Wall has also enjoyed a great deal of success with a half-brother to Dontbesillychilli in Alta Rhett (Alta Christiano), a winner of 14 races and earnings just shy of $200,000.
“He’s a good horse who races pretty consistently. Chris and Dave own him in partnership. Then there’s my golden child in Wesley (Sportswriter), a stallion that we own and have AI available. He’s a quiet and lovely little horse who has six yearlings and another three mares in foal,” she said.
“He was a great two-year-old in his racing days winning five races including a group two classic in 2016. We stand him for $1300.”
Wall said her dad Terry, now a retired schoolteacher, always trained a few horses at a time as a hobby.
“After I eventually got my trainers licence, I trained just one early on and then it hovered around three. Now with a bigger team I’ve got Chris and my mum Kerry and dad helping out. Dad comes to the meetings with me.
“Mum is also great in looking after my five-year-old son Rory. So yes, we couldn’t do it without the help that is on hand.
“This is the highest number I’ve trained so hopefully we keep getting nice results.”
For complete race results, click here.
by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink