James Moore to create his own racing legacy

By Jordan Gerrans

James Moore carries one of the most famous surnames in the history of racing in Queensland but in his own words, the young trainer reckons he is just a ‘battler’.

Previously based at the Sunshine Coast before recently shifting his team to Deagon on Brisbane’s northside, Moore will be in the national spotlight for the first time this week with his young filly Leaves Of Lorien in the Magic Millions Classic.

Moore’s father is former champion international jockey and trainer Gary Moore while his uncle John was a legendary trainer who won multiple premierships in Hong Kong.

He is also the grandson of legendary jockey George.

Gold Coast was home for many years for the late George Moore after his highly successful career as a jockey and trainer.

George Moore, who hailed from Mackay, was Australia’s greatest rider of his era before becoming a top trainer in Hong Kong.

At 35 years of age while trying to forge his own path in racing, James uses the ‘battler’ term to describe his current status in racing.

To have a runner in the Magic Millions Classic, it is his biggest achievement in the training ranks so far in Australia.

But, George, Gary and John also needed to start somewhere to build their legacy, just as he is aiming to do in the coming years.

“I've been very lucky to be able to observe Gary and John and all the trainers within our family,” James said ahead of his maiden Magic Millions tilt this week.

“It's a complete honour to carry on the family legacy, especially here in Queensland where George was a very successful jockey and horseman.

“But, at the end of the day I'm just a battler giving it a red-hot crack. 

“It doesn't really go through my mind, I just keep my head down and keep working hard, improving and making sure the owners are well cared for and the horses come first.

“They get the best of everything.

"Then at the end of the day, if there may be a small minor legacy left, and if it's any minor amount of what George, John and Gary have left, I'll be over the moon.”

James took over his father’s stables in Macau for five years and spent two years in Japan and a short time in Dubai before setting up base on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast almost three years ago.

He has been relatively competitive in city racing since lobbing in Queensland and has regularly won races on the provincial and country circuit.

The emerging Moore stable will need to take it to another level this week to be a chance in the $3 million showpiece race for two-year-olds at the Gold Coast.

As of Thursday morning, Leaves Of Lorien is a $101 shot with the bookmakers to cause an upset on Saturday afternoon.

The young filly heads into the 1200 metre dash with the most race experience of any horse in the field.

Leaves Of Lorien has been to the races on five occasions for three minor placings but she is yet to crack a victory.

Leaves Of Lorien’s multiple placings at city-level have landed her enough prizemoney to sneak into the field for the rich assignment.

“I've been training now for over 10 years and I have been involved with big race meetings over in Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan,” Moore said. 

“The Magic Millions Classic is very much a race that we've been targeting and we're very privileged to have Leaves Of Lorien in the race.

“She is the first yearling that we bought from the January sale. We mapped out her preparation to be peaking for the Magic Millions day and she was one of the first two-year-olds to trial in Australia.

“The goal was to earn enough prizemoney to be in that Magic Millions field but without going over the top with her.

“I do feel she's going to be a better three-year-old and get over a touch further, so just we didn't want to tax her too much.

“The nutrition, training, the beach here at Deagon and the wonderful facilities have been key to keeping her up.”

Leaves Of Lorien drew a wide gate at Tuesday’s barrier draw and will be ridden by Queensland hoop Cody Collis in the time-honoured event.

Collis has been in the saddle in her last two race day appearances where she has finished third.

The Sunshine Coast-based hoop is hopeful she will be competitive in the ‘big dance’ despite her long odds.

“She has been going absolutely great, in her last two starts she's been very strong on the line,” Collis said.

“I think those runs put her in a perfect spot.

“Her first-up run in the B.J. McLachlan, she ran a very strong third. And, then last start, another third behind some nice horses.

“I think she'll be at her peak for this race. She's got that fitness going into it and that experience. I think she'll be definitely in contention on the day.”

The up-and-coming trainer and his ownership group parted with just $8,000 for the filly.

Moore is loving training his team out of Deagon in Brisbane’s north and regularly uses the beach down the road from his stables.

He believes it is key for their recovery as well as keeping his gallopers mentally fresh.

“The move to Deagon's been a blessing,” he said.

“It's just a magical place to train and Queensland's best kept secret. 

“I have been able to implement systems that have worked overseas and they've been very effective in producing horses on race day.”