Considered the premier Queensland trainer, Tony Gollan has won the Queensland Trainers Premiership for the last four years running.
Tony will be training Your Song x Sheeznodoubt, miRunners’ fifth horse. Click here to buy your unit now – they’re selling fast!
Recently we sat down with Tony to ask him the questions directly from our owners’ community.
Why did you get into racing?
I was born into it. My dad didn’t want me to become a trainer – he wanted me to get a trade – but it was what I knew, what was always there for me and what I loved.
People often talk about my time with footy but the reality is I got my training licence young, very young. At twenty I was one of the youngest trainers around. That was where my future was.
I was so lucky to be training with my dad as well when I started. I had four horses first and although Dad and I were separate trainers we worked together.
Are you still happy you made that choice?
Yes – it’s my life.
They say if you love what you do you don’t work a day in your life and that’s how I feel.
When I was 27 I had a few moments of “what am I doing? There has to be more than this.” But I always had a horse that I couldn’t leave. I always thought – what would that horse do if I wasn’t training it? So I kept at it.
You don’t enter racing to retire like Bill Gates. The prize money is not what it’s about. It’s a tough game – the hours are exhausting and the pay is a long time coming.
What’s the best thing about racing?
The horses and the people.
Seriously! If you’re a hermit, don’t get involved in racing – we’re all in it together for the good times, the bad times and everything in between. It’s a rollercoaster ride and you need each other.
What’s the worst thing about racing?
When something bad happens to one of your horses. It’s nothing short of heart breaking.
We’re in this game because we love these animals. They are intelligent, kind, beautiful creatures and getting seeing them injured is the hardest part of the job without a doubt.
And it is horrible to then have to deliver bad news to owners. I have to say, most owners are in racing for the same reason I am and they adore their horses, but it is never easy to have the talk about bad news.
What’s something not many people know about you?
When I was 15 I made the Queensland Academy for Softball. Suffice to say I am a better horse trainer than softballer.
What attracted you to miRunners?
Having more people in the stable and in this industry as owners is brilliant.
There are so many hands involved in preparing a horse for racing that to equal the numbers on the other side is amazing. Putting care on both sides of the industry is what’s best for the horses.
If you could say one thing to owners, what would it be?
There are no silly questions.
The more owners know and the more they understand me, the better an experience everyone will have so just ask.
Would you ever consider a stable in another state?
From our experience at Rosehill, our stables work better with a main stable in the stronger location. You can’t take the major runners out of the main stable and expect it to continue to work as well. We would only consider a move to NSW if it was a whole-stable move.
We have such a good relationship with Snowden Racing now. This would impact any future decision. We have similar systems and in the carnivals based down south, we can come in and base ourselves out of Snowden’s and almost feel like we’re at home.
Interested in joining the miRunners family? The stunning Your Song X Sheeznodoubt filly being trained by Tony is in pre-training now. Buy your unit for just $275 today and $15 per month.
