Big changes in 2024 for Nathan Purdon

Nathan Purdon is upfront about where he is at.

“I am rebuilding,” he says.

Rebuilding his race team and evolving the way he, and the business, operates.

“I’m trying to establish my own identity.”

Already 2024 has seen a lot of changes. Father and training partner Mark has moved away from Christchurch, the stable has also lost some of its best horses, including Don’t Stop Dreaming, as well as some key personnel, and the once dominant Rolleston training establishment has been sold.

It’s a lot to take in.

“We are at the crossroads in some ways and I’m trying to put my stamp on it,” says the 28-year-old.

With Mark and Natalie Rasmussen no longer the stable’s go-to drivers, one key appointment has been getting the country’s top reinsman Blair Orange onboard. From August, the six-time premiership winner will work there four days a week and be the stable’s top driver, though he will be able to freelance as well.

“To have someone like Blair will be hugely beneficial,” says Purdon, “both in terms of having him here day to day and also the fact that he’ll know the horses inside out when they go to the races.”

Orange has a long association with the stable, reining nearly 400 winners for them, including the 2019 IRT New Zealand Cup with Cruz Bromac.

The “All Stars” stable, as it was known then, is now “Purdon Racing”.

It’s a deliberate move away from the past though Nathan admits the “Purdon” name does bring with it a certain level of expectation.

“I feel the pressure all the time, with Dad’s horses they were expected to perform every time they hit the racetrack so they are big shoes to fill which is both a blessing and a curse,” Nathan says, “though I do put the pressure on myself.”

He is the third generation Purdon to get into the industry, following on from one of the true legends of the sport in Roy Purdon, and then his father and uncle Barry. The trio, either on their own or in partnership, dominated the premiership for nearly 40 years from the early 1970s.

Of Mark Purdon’s 14 premierships six were in a row with former partner Natalie Rasmussen. She’s since decided to take a step back from regular race day driving.

In the two years Mark and Nathan have been in partnership they have had over 100 wins with stakes exceeding $4m.

But earlier this year Mark moved to Matamata in the Waikato where he trains stable stars Millwood Nike and Oscar Bonavena at Matamata. He is not as hands on as he was though still very much involved.

“We have a great relationship and I still send worklists to dad every day,” says Nathan.

Right now he “has a team of around 35 at the moment”.

“I’d say Chase A Dream is right up there, he’s the benchmark but there are also good Cup horses like Sherlock and Anything Goes and a stack of two-year-olds and yearlings coming through.”

“There are good horses like Rubira, Five Crowns who has surprised me and Party Central as well as a three-year-old like Look To Da Stars – he has the ability to go to the new Slot Race on Show Day.”

Purdon also has to decide where he’s going to train in the not too distant future.

The stable’s 28 hectare property at Rolleston, just outside Christchurch, has been sold. It’s prime land in an area that has become increasingly sought after by developers.

“There’s a two year possession,” says Purdon, “so I have some decisions to make.”

“I will stay in the meantime but after this year what’s the Plan B? Do I look at buying somewhere else or do I rent?”

“It will depend on how things are going.”

Winter is always quiet for the stable but things will ramp up in the next few months heading into New Zealand Cup week and beyond.

“Four went to the trials last week and there’ll be more in the next 2-3 weeks.”

“Everyone here is looking forward to what’s ahead.”

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk