Episode 264: Clarry Conners

John Tapp Racing

An overdue chat with one of Australia’s best known trainers. Clarry discloses his reasons for selling Victory Lodge- the landmark stables from which he produced a stunning 39 Gr 1 winners. He admits it was quite a wrench when the reality sunk in.

He talks of his relocation with fifteen horses to the nearby stables of his son Marc. He hints at the possibility of an official partnership down the track.

Clarry takes us on a trip down memory lane to the days when he and his father Clarry Senior were sleeping on battered bunks in a stable at Cessnock. To this day the trainer sees the funny side of the story.

He talks of the influence of the father who lived to the grand age of 98.

Clarry says he was a wonderful mentor.

Clarry remembers his very first winner and the two year old colt who gave him his first taste of Gr 1 glory.

He pays a fitting tribute to the filly who funded the construction of his new home in Hope St Warwick Farm. He admits his previous house was falling apart. Research was among the best of her generation. She was a cranky girl but had a heart like a lion.

Clarry takes us through his remarkable four Golden Slipper wins.

There’s a great story behind each of them- two fillies, one colt and one gelding.

The legendary trainer pays a heartfelt tribute to Mouawad, the horse he regarded as the best he ever trained. He still rues the memory of having to scratch the three year old from the 1997 Doncaster. Clarry thought he was unbeatable in the big mile.

Clarry was known to change jockeys at the drop of a hat. He couldn’t help but smile when friends presented him with a special gift.

The trainer talks of Stolen Jade who recently notched a hat trick of wins. He looks at her immediate programme.