Gurney's great gelding honoured

By Jordan Gerrans

Ian Gurney’s life has taken a few hits on the health and financial front in recent years, but the long-time trainer was able to smile when his old mate was honoured earlier this year. 

The 62-year-old horseman tasted some of the biggest highs in harness racing through the career of tough gelding Avonnova through his peak between 2014 until 2016.

Multiple Group victories were claimed during that period as well as being named the Queensland Harness Horse of the Year on three straight occasions.

Avonnova last went to the races in December of 2018.

The only element of Avonnova’s career that was yet to be achieved was a race being named after Gurney’s cherished pacer. 

A race in his honour was installed into the Sunshine State racing calendar in late May of this year when the inaugural Avonnova Open was contested over 2138 metres at Albion Park.

Avonnova was the superstar of his era, so it was fitting to see another big name win the first-ever race named after Gurney’s champion with Leap To Fame landing the prize.

It was one step along the journey for the legendary Leap To Fame which ended with his second Inter Dominion crown earlier this month.

Gurney has battled numerous health issues and financial battles in recent times and he was over the moon to see his great pacer honoured.

“It meant everything,” Gurney said. 

“He meant everything to me that horse, he carried the stable. I was very lucky to have him and I was very proud to see the race named after him.

“I was ecstatic to see him win a Group 1 during his career. He was just the toughest old horse and gave me everything he had every time he raced.”

Avonnova’s career was headlined by the Group 1 Sunshine Sprint of 2015, a Newcastle Mile and Gold Coast Cup triumph the year before, as well as a swag of other black-type triumphs.

He became a dual Gold Coast Cup champion in 2016.

He won an amazing 55 races across his career and just under $1 million in stakes.

Gurney had long been in discussions with Racing Queensland’s Harness Operations Manager Brett Rail about the prospect of his former champion having a race named after him.

While Gurney does not have any champions in his barn these days, he is quietly confident about a few of the juveniles he is working with.

After training more than 25 winners in every season between 2014 and 2020, which reached a high mark of 42 triumphs in the season of 2019-20, the conditioner has slowly been building his stable back up after his health and financial troubles.

Gurney says it has been a tough battle working his racing team back up after he previously had a number of regular Saturday night contenders at his disposal.

He has seven winners to his name this term with Cullectingcardles, Cardlesfromheaven, Much Bettor and Lanai flying the flag for the team.

Gurney’s Fairney View property has also become a sense of pride for the veteran horseman.

The respected Purdon yard used the facility to house their horses during the recent carnival while other stables have also been regulars at the property in recent years.

“When we came here, there was nothing but a shed and 20 stables,” he said.

“We had to do everything myself with some tradesmen.

“It has come up spectacular after five years of hard work. I am really happy with it and hopefully I can train some winners out of it.”

The two-time Group 1-winning trainer says he is focusing most of his attention on the next generation of his stable.

“I am waiting for them babies to come through,” Gurney said.

“The babies aren’t far away; we just need to be patient. I am really happy at the moment; the babies are going good.

“Hopefully they can show a bit of promise. I have never done the babies before; I usually buy the older horses and muck around with them, so this is a new thing to me.

“Hopefully I can push forward with them, it will be great.”

Former Kiwi youngster Fitzroy is one that Gurney has high hopes for.

The Bettor's Delight pacer had four starts for the Purdon team in NZ for one win and three placings. 

“I am really happy with him, he ran well in a Group 1 over there,” Gurney said of Fitzroy.

“I just tipped him out for a period of time so he can fill out and grow a bit. He is nearly ready to get back to the races and he is probably the baby that is showing the most promise.

“But, I have got a couple of other ones I have bred that will be alright too, I think.”