Bell rings in success at Clifford Park

By Jordan Gerrans

Respected horseman Darren Bell knows a thing or two about cold mornings from his days in Victoria and he believes training out of Clifford Park is an ideal location for his stable going forward.

The 58-year-old has recently taken up on-course stabling at the Toowoomba venue after previously being based at a few different training operations in the Sunshine State.

The move has paid immediate dividends on the track.

Over the first fortnight of July, the Bell team took four runners to the races and walked away with a 100% strike-rate, with winners coming at Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Esk and Goondiwindi.

Bell prepares his stable alongside his partner Danielle Sullivan, who he describes as crucial to his success at the races.

Bell and Sullivan have both had stints working for high-profile barns in Victoria before settling at Clifford Park.

The popular trainer can see similarities between working a team of horses around Victoria and his current approach on the Darling Downs of Queensland.

“I think that altitude has something to do with it,” Bell believes.

“I think that through the summer months you have an advantage here because you're getting away from the humidity.

“Humidity probably affects horses more than any other weather conditions. 

"And, I believe, and especially with our time in Victoria, horses cope with cold fine.

“And, even though we might get a cool winter here, I think that horses cope fine with that.

“And, I think the main challenge is getting them through the warmer months. So, I see that as an advantage.

“Toowoomba's also been a great base for horsemen and women and a great breeding ground. So, I think Toowoomba suits us perfect.

“I think there's a lot of factors that make Toowoomba a great base to train.”

Before taking on Clifford Park stables, Bell was previously based at the Bahram training and spelling centre on the outskirts of Toowoomba, while he had two stints at Deagon.

He has also spent plenty of time in the industry working for other stables, including time at the famous Lindsay Park operation in Victoria as an assistant trainer while he also worked closely with Tom Dabernig at Warrnambool.

For Bell and Sullivan, it was a thrill, and a great learning experience, to be around regular Group-level gallopers at the Lindsay Park precinct and with Dabernig.

“We found that as a great learning experience there,” Bell said.

“We worked for the Hayes family, which I'd worked for previously as a young bloke.

“We certainly had a great role there and learnt a lot. We got along really well with the boys, Ben, Will and JD Hayes, as they came along.

“Then to go with Tom when he set up his own stable at Warrnambool, Danielle and I both moved there and really enjoyed that period setting up and getting established there.

“It was an invaluable experience down there.

“When you work for those places, you realise that what you put in is what you get out.”

Now aiming to build back up their own yard, Bell and Sullivan have 15 in work at Toowoomba and have enjoyed a good run of results over the last few months.

“We're really enjoying having these facilities on course,” Bell said.

“It's made things much more efficient for us and we're enjoying it. When the stables were offered to us, we took them straight away.”

The stable's recent run of victories has been at provincial and country tracks such as Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Esk and Goondiwindi.

The training team have their eyes on being more competitive in the city through the later part of 2026 and building into the following years.

Bell notes an exciting crop of two-year-olds he is working with while also remarking that Sunny Disposition, Man Of The Town, Breezin' and Cinque Terre can aim up in the metro ranks.

Bell says he appreciates being able to work with a smaller team these days, compared to when he was at Lindsay Park where they had massive numbers.

“I love it,” he said.

“I like being hands-on. The thing that keeps you going is your love of the horse.

“We're at a size where we get to know each horse individually. I certainly do enjoy that side of it. Not saying that I didn't enjoy working in a big stable.

“It's great to be part of an operation where you consistently have Group horses and racing in big races.

“But, obviously that's something we aspire to, to have one or two of those.

“And, I think it's very rewarding when you've dealt with a horse, personally from day one to hopefully achieve one of those big race wins.

“That's probably something that we are still building on here ourselves. But, we're enjoying the challenge.”

The Bell stable is set to have runners at Clifford Park on Saturday evening and Eagle Farm earlier in the day, while Money Maestro is nominated for Wednesday's Doomben midweek meeting.