Former Victorian stable kicking goals in Queensland

By Jordan Gerrans

Lifestyle brought horsewoman Emma Fouchard and her family north from Victoria to the Sunshine State and the winners have followed.

The trainer relocated from Ballarat to Queensland late last year and she collected her first victory since the move on Friday afternoon at Gatton. 

The 38-year-old hails from England and alongside her French husband they have established their own stable at Cryna, which is just outside of Beaudesert. 

As Fouchard was previously based at Ballarat, it was fitting that her maiden Queensland winner was named Goodes.

Champion AFL footballer Adam Goodes played with the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup before being drafted by the Sydney Swans. 

The four-year-old gelding started his career in Victoria with trainer Trent Edmonds before Fouchard and her ownership team purchased him for the speedy Queensland sprint races. 

He won a Class 1 Handicap event over 860 metres on Friday by almost two lengths.

“We have always really liked the horse after buying him quite cheap online,” Fouchard said.

“We looked through his previous form and I do not think it was as bad as it actually looked.

“He is very consistent in his times and he can run a really strong 1000 metre race down there but he wasn’t quite finishing them off. We thought he would be so perfect for those real short sprints up here.

“We specifically picked him out for that and thankfully it has paid off.

“We have been happy with his runs up here and we knew he would be ready to go once he got the right gate and found some luck.”

Fouchard has thought Goodes was ready to win in recent weeks but following rain and poor barrier draws, she was unable to find a suitable race for him before Friday, which was his third start for the stable. 

Hard-working hoop Adin Thompson has stuck with the galloper since he started his first Queensland preparation at the Beaudesert trials in late March. 

“I love the way he kicked again,” Fouchard said of Friday’s win.

“He got to the lead and he kicked again.

“Adin came back and said it was like a track gallop for him. It takes horses a little while to get their head going around the other way from Victoria, it has been a learning curve for the horse, as well.

“It can take a while for the penny to drop.”

Fouchard says Goodes is a beautiful horse to do anything with around her stable. 

The Fouchard barn are also close to a victory with maiden stayer Maravich who has finished twice this month already. 

Hailing from the United Kingdom, Fouchard spent time working on stud farms in Europe before working for trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne across a decade in Victoria. 

She rides all her own trackwork as well as doing some pre-training for other trainers. 

The Cryna property boasts everything required to prepare a racehorse with the Fouchard team heading into the Beaudesert track for their fast work. 

“We have got that mindset that we are not always stuck in one place,” she said.

“We knew we didn’t want to stay at Ballarat forever despite enjoying our time there. But, with a couple of young kids, we just thought it would be a great time to venture into warmer climates. It is more a lifestyle opportunity for us.

“It has all fallen into place for us, the move, and it has just felt right for us and the family.

“The horses are just so relaxed at this property; they are so settled.

“We are always keen on bringing in new clients as much as possible, pre-training and racing.”

Fouchard has a handful in work and is looking forward to seeing Ratenotice back at the trials next week.

The three-year-old filly has not been at the races this year but ran two encouraging efforts in Victoria during October of last year.

“I am hoping she can be a nice horse up here,” Fouchard said.

“The horses that beat her in her two starts have all gone on to race really well."