WYONG racecourse has been such a huge part of Steve Farley’s life for the last 40-odd years.
But the dual Group 1 winning trainer is about to pull up stumps to begin a new chapter in his life, relocating to Port Macquarie early next month.
Farley has secured 22 boxes at the mid North Coast track, left vacant by Paul Shailer, who has moved back to train at the Gold Coast.
“I had cut right back on the number of horses I trained over the last few years but want to start training full-time again, and am very keen to give it a real crack,” he said.
“The horses I have at present are better suited to country racing, so now is the right time to make the move.
“There are great opportunities for country trainers with all the Showcase meetings, and also to go to town with any horse good enough for the weekly Highway Handicaps, along with the Country Championships in autumn and The Kosciuszko in spring.
“I will take nine or 10 horses with me on February 9, but have been encouraged by the response already from owners who have become aware that I am setting up at Port.
“I also intend to start advertising soon to let more racing folk know about my move.”
Farley was born at Gloucester, and three years later moved with his family to the Central Coast, where his father Brian managed a stud farm at Yarramalong.
His four decades-plus association with Wyong began at seven years of age when his Dad was appointed caretaker at the racecourse, which then not only hosted thoroughbred, harness and greyhound meetings, but also the annual Agricultural Show.
He began helping out former successful local trainer Ron Tilley by cleaning out boxes before and after school to earn some pocket money.
An even closer involvement in the industry followed when he worked for trainers Neville McBurney and Gordon Yorke (for whom he was foreman for five years), along with riding trackwork at Wyong and breaking-in horses before taking out his own licence at the turn of the century.
The last horse he broke in was a Umatilla youngster he bought for only $8000 at the 2009 Inglis Classic yearling sale at their former Newmarket site, not far from Royal Randwick.
He was the last foal of his dam, the Prego mare Yours As Always, and earned his name from her. Racing as Sincero, he put Farley on the national racing map, winning 12 of his 30 starts and earning almost $1.8m in prizemoney until his retirement in October, 2014.
Those dozen wins included two Group 1s in 2011; the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, and George Main Stakes, normally run over 1600m at Randwick, but held over 1500m that year at Rosehill Gardens.
He won seven of his eight starts as a three-year-old, including the Stradbroke along with both the Gosford and Scone Guineas.
Sincero was unlucky not to have three majors to his credit, as the 2012 Memsie Stakes (1400m), which he won first-up, was upgraded from Group 2 status a year later.
Farley knew what he was doing when be bought Sincero, and expected him to bring more than what he paid to get him.
At the time he was training his half-brother Zarzeus (by Zariz), who had raced a few times and won a Newcastle 2YO Maiden and been placed three times, including once in town at Canterbury.
Now 16 years of age, Sincero is in fine fettle being cared for at Jilliby on the Central Coast, and Farley, once he gets settled, intends to also take him to Port Macquarie, as well as Billydakid (with whom he won six races) to give both a good home for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, Farley just over 12 months ago had to put down his second most prolific winner Go Go Apollo (10 wins) because of cushing’s disease.
Now 19-year-old Gazza Guru, with whom he won two South Grafton Cups, a Taree Cup, and was placed in three Wyong Cups and a Newcastle Cup, is also being cared for in retirement at Wagga by a former employee Megan Manning.
Wyong Race Club fittingly is acknowledging Farley’s lengthy contribution to the industry and impending move by naming the “Best Wishes WRC Trainer Stephen ‘Crusher’ Farley Class 1 Handicap, 1000m” at their Sunday meeting, coinciding with the Australia Day holiday weekend.
“It was general manager Greg Purcell’s decision to do this, and it is greatly appreciated,” Farley said.
“I don’t have a runner, but perhaps my final starter from Wyong will be at Taree on Friday.”
Story John Curtis, January 27, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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