RYAN’S “MODEL” FOR SUCCESS IN HER OWN RIGHT

SARA Ryan was sufficiently impressed.

The young Wyong trainer was looking to start a new business in her own right after a successful stint as Domeland’s head trainer on the Central Coast when she noticed former Newcastle mare Diamond Model was up for sale online.

“I really liked her type, and was able to buy her (for $16,000) and brought some new clients in to race her,” Ryan explained today.

“On her breeding, I was pretty confident about getting her out to 2000m.”

Ridden by Keagan Latham, Diamond Model ($6) made short work of her outside barrier to take up the running in the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m), and thereafter was never threatened.

She scored comfortably from fellow Wyong trainers Kim Waugh and Damien Lane’s representatives, Squeezebox ($2.70 favorite) and Wealthy Investor ($41) to pick up the $21,000 first prize at only her fourth start for her new stable.

A six-year-old daughter of Akeed Mofeed, Diamond Model began her career in Victoria and won races at Wodonga (1400m), The Valley (1600m) and Sale (1429m) in 2022-23.

Whilst she wasn’t successful during her stay with Mark Minervini at Newcastle, she was placed five times – all in town at distances from 1150m to 1500m.

Only once has Diamond Model been tried beyond 1600m, and that was in September 2022 when she ran fourth over 1800m on a heavy track at Flemington.

“Diamond Model is a beautiful mare to train,” Ryan said.

“She has a kind nature, and would make a good show jumper when her racing days are over.”

Ryan, who trained 60 winners (including the 2023 Big Dance and Coffs Harbour Cup with Attractable and Provincial-Midway Championships Final earlier this year with Matcha Latte) in a superb stint with Domeland, has now prepared three winners since branching out as a public trainer at the beginning of the current season.

“It takes time to build a team, and we’re getting there,” she said.

“I now have 20 horses in work at Wyong, and another six to eight in pre-training.”

Ryan also has had an important human addition to her team in Group 1 winning former Wyong trainer Steve Farley, who has returned to the Central Coast after a stint at Port Macquarie.

“Steve is my assistant trainer, and it’s great to have a person of his experience with me,” she said.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees was the sole provincial winner at yesterday’s The Gong metropolitan meeting at Kembla Grange – and he got a quinella result to boot.

UK import Brave Call ($6) won his second race in Australia when he defeated stablemate Bestower ($11) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m).

Lees carried on at today’s Taree meeting, winning with favorites Autumn Heir ($2.60) and Trounce ($2.40).

Stable apprentice Ben Osmond the former, and Andrew Gibbons the latter.

Fellow Newcastle trainer Paul Perry also scored with Edge Of Midnight ($5), ridden by Ben Looker, and Gosford’s Adam Duggan won with $10 chance Mission Bravo, ridden by apprentice Hollie Hull.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 23, 2025 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS