Pershouse finds healing through horses

By Jordan Gerrans

Following the tragic death of his beloved sister last year, Bundaberg horseman Steve Pershouse says he has found solace in preparing his small team of gallopers.

The 36-year-old had been a long-term owner and stablehand within the industry before recently branching out to prepare his own barn.

Pershouse previously assisted the Torbanlea-based Grant Parker with his horses, before he relocated to the ‘Rum City’ with an eye to taking out his own training ticket.

Pershouse’s sister Sarah, who was a mother of three, died in a sad traffic accident in Moranbah in late November of last year.

After starting his first horse in a race in his own name in May of this year, the young trainer believes being back around the horses following Sarah’s death has done his mental health the world of good.

“After I lost my sister last year, I moved to Bundaberg to follow my career and try and start out on my own,” he said.

“It wasn't good after she passed away, I went off the horses there for a while.

“Once I got over the grieving and got back into the racing, it helped to get my mind occupied.

“It has now brought me back to myself and I am enjoying being around the horses.”

Following the traumatic period in his life, the Bundaberg conditioner was able to smile once again when he landed his first winner for his own stable when Embezzles sprinted to victory at Gympie on Saturday afternoon.

The three-year-old filly was yet to win a race before her triumph on Saturday, which came in a Class B Handicap over 1030 metres against more experienced horses.

While Pershouse has been involved in many winners as an owner and helping out other stables, he says it was a special moment to see apprentice hoop Steph Tierney lift his filly in the finish.

The trainer was full of praise for the mature-aged apprentice rider.

"It was the experience of the jockey that made the difference on the day, I believe,” he said.

“She was ridden quiet for the first half of the race and then when she asked her to go, she performed.

“It was good. Going into the race, I was confident of a performance like that.

“Being a maiden horse, she's only small, so we are lucky to get that win. She's still more of a sprint horse over the 850 to 1000 metres.

“So, against them more experienced horses, she held her own.

“I like her for just around this area, having the sprint racing, you need to have a sprint horse around this area, in the bush.”

Pershouse, who is a taxi driver for a day job, purchased Embezzles after she was previously raced through the Central Queensland zone with trainer Kevin Miller.

The daughter of Encryption broke through at her fifth attempt for her new Bundaberg stable after placing on two earlier occasions.

Pershouse worked closely with trainer Parker earlier in his tenure in the industry and he has also been mentored by Darryl Gardiner since relocating.

“I have been around horses most of my life since I was a young kid, camp drafting, working up on cattle stations and stuff like that,” he said.

“I did a stint at Eureka Stud many moons ago and was heavily involved in the Torbanlea picnic races, which is a popular event.

“I just thought it was time I went out on my own. I moved to Bundaberg, got my licence and I get a lot of guidance from Darryl.

“He helps me out a lot with the horses.”

Pershouse also prepares Resolute Lady, who is set for a race at Rockhampton next week.

The four-year-old mare had three encouraging efforts for Gardiner while Pershouse was waiting for his licence to be approved.

Resolute Lady won two races for Deagon conditioner Jason Edwards and Pershouse thinks she will be competitive for him.

“Hopefully we can find some luck with her,” he said.

“We just need to choose the right races for her, that is the main thing, picking them and being patient with the horse and selecting the right races.”

Pershouse also part-owns Boitumelo, who Parker trains.