David McColm's not-so-easy call for son Archie

By Jordan Gerrans

Lion-hearted galloper Far Too Easy took the McColm family on a tremendous ride but there is one itch trainer David McColm wished he could have scratched before calling time on his career this week.

At seven years of age and after nine wins in 29 attempts, Far Too Easy retired following his run on Magic Millions day with more than $2.4 million in career earnings.

Far Too Easy travelled far and wide throughout his career and gained a large following as he won a Kosciuszko in Sydney, as well as placing in the race on two other occasions, on top of going close in several other Group events.

While Gold Coast trainer David McColm is comfortable to make the call to retire his stable star, he does admit there is one little disappointment or regret when he reflects on his sparkling career.

David’s young son Archie is working his way towards his maiden ride as an apprentice jockey and has been side-by-side with Far Too Easy for many years.

Teenager Archie, who has been horse-mad since he was in primary school, has long ridden the gelding in his trackwork which was recently been upgraded to partnering him in trials.

David was hopeful Far Too Easy would race on for another year to give Archie a chance to ride his beloved sprinter in a campaign or two.

“The involvement that Archie has had with Far Too Easy from day one has been a very close relationship,” he said.

“It has been a big thrill for us to get to this point with Archie starting to ride and the horse having done what he has done in his career.

“Our plan was for Far Too Easy for another year so it could have unfolded further for Archie to ride him in a race.

“That is where we were heading. It wasn’t to be. It is hard to get the stars to align in situations like this. The importance of Far Too Easy has been enormous to Archie, to give him confidence.

“For a young person to be associated with a horse like him, handling a horse of his class at such an age – I think it shows great maturity from Archie himself. To watch that unfold, I am very proud of both of them.”

Far Too Easy was often cruelled by wide barriers in big races which limited him to the nine career victories.

If it was not for young Archie, David is unlikely to have ever trained the yearling that would become the best horse he has ever prepared.

Before he was even a teenager, Archie was obsessed with former boom galloper Alligator Blood.

So, when they were at the Magic Millions sales, he ensured his father inspected every All Too Hard that was set to go under the hammer.

Archie’s nous back then led to the McColm clan enjoying a life-changing experience with their stable flag bearer.

David – who now trains at the Gold Coast after previously being based at Murwillumbah – says it has been an emotional week for the entire clan after saying goodbye in a racing sense to Far Too Easy.

The stable is still discussing their plans for Far Too Easy’s forever home following racing with a few different options being considered.

While Archie will not get the chance to ride his beloved galloper in a race, he is coming along well as an apprentice hoop.

On top of the on-going support from his father’s stable, Archie has been aided by the Munce and Sears training teams to work through his required trials ahead of his maiden race day engagements later in 2026.

“We're grateful that he had that opportunity to get that far and to ride in the trial,” David said.

“We will look back and go 'I wish we had been able to do that' – see Archie ride him in a race.

“There's no doubt because I think that was now definitely in the back of our minds, for sure.”

Archie has completed more than 20 trials in his bid to have his licence in a race approved.

Archie is a relatively tall kid for his age but has his weight under control at about 50kg.

Veteran trainer David is optimistic he will debut in the first half of this year.

“It's easy for a father to say something about their son, but I do like to sort of keep a level head for both myself and for Archie, but my opinion of Archie is that I think he's going to have a great career,” he said.

“I really do believe that for his age, he's very mature, he's very focused, he's focused on his weight and he looks after himself.

“My job now is to make sure that he keeps a level head and that he heads in the right direction.

“He knows exactly where he wants to be and what he wants to do.”

Archie is working with noted fitness guru Ron Johnson to keep his weight stable.

Following the retirement of Far Too Easy, David is on the way to New Zealand this week to head to the sales with an eye of rebuilding his barn.

The trainer has Pareto accepted to race in the Class 3 Plate over 1200 metres at the Gold Coast on Friday evening with Danny Peisley set to steer.

The four-year-old son of Pierata won at Doomben in the middle of September but has not scored in four subsequent efforts.

David is hopeful Pareto can put his best foot forward this week.

“This horse has a lot of ability. He's got tonnes of ability,” he said.

“He's a bit quirky and he's a late maturer.

“He's just one of those horses that has needed time and we've given it to him. But, I reckon he's a horse, a bit like Far Too Easy, believe it or not.

“He loves a bit of sting out of the ground. So, if we get that and it looks like we are, because we've had a bit of rain here, I think he'll go well.”