Timely boost for Brosnan family

Well-known harness racing father and son training team Richard and Emmett Brosnan had a welcome change of fortunes at TABcorp Park Melton this week.

The combination landed a training double, encompassing one winner apiece in the sulky.

“Maybe there really is a God in harness racing who was looking down on us because the wins were fantastic on so many levels,” Richard’s daughter Virginia said.

“Just over 12 months ago, dad was having chemotherapy treatment for bowel cancer. He’s getting on okay, but he’s still not 100 per cent because he’s waiting for surgery on two hernias,” she said.

“Now our mum Julija is starting her own cancer treatment journey.  She had bowel cancer surgery just 10 days ago and was released from hospital today.”

Virginia said while there had been challenging times, the wins meant a lot to the family.

Emmett set the ball rolling with three-year-old bay colt Aldebaran Huey (Majestic Son-Aldebaran Honey (Muscles Yankee), taking out the Allied Express VicBred Maiden Trot.

The youngster paid $18 on the tote and scored by a short half head from Montelena (Jason Lee).

Emmett’s dad Richard then showed fine touch to get home by the narrowest of margins with Sun Body (Sundon-Body And Soul (Frugal Gourmet) in the Niota Bloodstock Trot.

Richard Brosnan, who was a king of the sport in New Zealand in the late 1970s and early 1980s, preparing such superstars as No Response (1979 InterDominion Trot Final) and Bonnie’s Chance (1983 NZ Cup), was having his first race drive in some time.

“Dad hadn’t driven for quite a while, but ‘Nelson’ is like his little child. He bred him and brought him over from NZ when they moved over here to live a few years ago,” Virginia said.

“He had planned to drive the horse earlier this year but felt ill at the races and Emmett took the reins. Dad had been saying for a bit how he just wanted one drive on the horse—and he certainly made the most of it in the best possible way!

“I think both of the horses had one hoof out the door, but that might be on hold now because I think they’ve given themselves a reprieve.”

Emmett and Virginia Brosnan are fourth-generation family participants in the sport, following in the footsteps of their great grandfather, grandfather and Hall of Famer father Richard, a trainer for more than 50 years.

The Brosnan racing team is setting up base on 150 acres at Meredith, between Ballarat and Geelong.

They have established the property from scratch and there’s now a 1200m straight track and another 2200m circuit. A number of paddocks with shelters have been completed, with further infra-structure plans including shedding.

“Emmett and his wife Bridie recently moved into a new house, and our parents are living with them at the moment,” Virginia said.

“I can say that Emmett had a pep in his step after the double. He’s been finding it hard to get a foot in the door because there’s so many great young trainers out there.”

Virginia said her brother had a reasonable season last year, but had been contemplating cutting back his team.

“He had some hiccups with delays with the completion of his home and the tracks, and he’s been super focused on that as well as the health of our parents. So hopefully he can now put the time needed into a few of the exciting youngsters he’s working, and they turn out to be good ones,” she said.

Virginia said her father often comments how shifting to Australia possibly saved his life.

“He openly says it’s the best thing he ever did. Back home in NZ there’s no screening program for bowel cancer so it was fortuitous he took part in the bowelscan program out here even though he had no symptoms. With mum they caught the cancer early and also picked up lesions on her ovaries that proved to be benign.”

Virginia, who is well respected in her work as an associate veterinarian with Garrards Horse n Hound, said it was a team effort with the family’s horses.

“My partner Glenn (Gath) has heaps of experience and watches them closely. He’s always suggesting gear changes and trying different routines. Emmett’s wife Bridie is also a vet, so we all work in pretty well together,” she said.

“I’m sure dad and Emmett would have had a few drinks to celebrate the wins. It would have been an interesting trip home because Dad would have been saying ‘I told you son’ –Emmett would have been firing back how he timed his run to perfection to snatch victory!

“We will all get together soon when we can and definitely have a big celebration dinner – it was a big lift for everyone.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink