73-year-old chalks up first training win

The affable Kevin Sandiford is still ticking items off his bucket list at age 73 – and being a winning harness racing trainer is now one of them.

It was only in retirement that Sandiford took the leap to get his training ticket, but once he did his first victory didn’t take long at all!

“Some blokes play golf, some go fishing—I’ve done all that. I wanted to try something different, and I absolutely love it,” said the former truck driver.

“Horses get me up in the morning. And really, what else would you be doing? Sitting around watching TV? You’d be dead in months!” he joked.

Sandiford has already had success as an owner, including notching five wins with Popcornfriday (Camlach).

But in August, after completing Harness Racing Victoria’s training course, he decided to take the lead himself. Just five starts later, he secured his maiden victory as a trainer at Melton on Friday night (November 29).

“Winning that race was just so satisfying – the satisfaction is what makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

A love of horses runs in Sandiford’s family. His grandfather and great-grandfather were both farriers, and the stories they shared during his childhood sparked a fascination for Kevin.

“Growing up in Fitzroy, I wasn’t born into horses, but whenever I stayed with my Nan and Pop at Ascot Vale, it was all about horses,” he recalled.

“Pop would always be talking with trainers, and back then, every second house had a stable in the backyard. I remember hearing the clip-clop of hooves down the street and hopping on the side of a cart to ride along to the track. That’s where it all started for me.

“A lot of blokes are born to it and the horses are second nature.  I bred, trained and raced greyhounds for 30 years, but I thought while I am still standing on two legs, I’d give harness racing a go. I enjoy being around them, they’re a beautiful animal.”

Sandiford, who co-owns Popcornfriday with his wife Bernadette, started his journey by dabbling in ownership and helping trainers while he was still working. Living at Pyalong, he even cut in a makeshift track with his son-in-law and jogged horses along back roads.

But retirement brought bigger changes.

“Bernadette and I moved to Craigieburn, and within two days, we looked at each other and thought, ‘What have we done?’” he laughed.

The couple soon relocated to Romsey, where Sandiford spent two years helping out at Rita Burnett’s Kilmore stables. Their next move was to Sunbury, which brought him to trainer-driver Paul Grech’s operation.

He developed connections along the way, including with Central Victorian veterinarian and breeder Greg Hargreaves, visiting his Wedderburn property a number of times. That’s where Sandiford spotted Popcornfriday.

“He’s had his issues, but he gives you everything he’s got. At my stage in life, I don’t need a lunatic, hard-work horse and he and I get along just fine!” he said.

Sandiford’s stable now includes another young prospect—a colt by Soho Tribeca.

“He’s an absolute cracker. We’re breaking him in now, and he’s taking to everything like a pro. I’m excited to see what he can do down the track,” he said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink