Whalley the backbone of Campton’s fast-rising yard

By Jordan Gerrans

Behind Adam Campton’s burgeoning racing operation is a quieter force he credits for much of their success - his wife Tayla Whalley.

The Gold Coast-based Campton has quickly developed an imposing stable that is regularly competitive in Group events after only starting out in the Sunshine State a few years ago.

While Campton is the trainer listed in the racebook, the 31-year-old Whalley is also a talented horsewoman with a deep affinity for the industry after an extensive background in showjumping.

As Campton aims to nab his maiden black-type event in the near future, he has paid tribute to his beloved partner, who has become the backbone of his emerging yard.

“It's huge, she's everything to me,” Campton said.

“She's everything to this team, as well. She keeps them going.

“She pushes them. She pushes me when I need pushing. She kicks me up the backside too when I need kicking up the backside.

“It's not a sport that you go to Group 1 races every week. There's a lot of tough times, as well. To have her by my side, I'm very lucky.

“I know it says Campton Racing, but Tayla's just as big a trainer as I am. She's been an integral part of this team and she'll continue to be, as well.

“Tayla and I were pretty wet between the ears when we first started. I'd like to say that we've learned a lot and we've still got plenty to learn.”

The 2026 Queensland Racing Carnival has been one of near misses for the team of Campton and Whalley when it comes to feature events.

Zouperb ran fourth in the Listed Gai Waterhouse at Ipswich in late June after placing in the Lightning Handicap and Bright Shadow – which are both Listed races – in her two prior starts.

“She's knocking on the door. She just needs the right run to add that stakes win next to her name,” Campton said of Zouperb.

Stablemate Bengal Diamond also placed in the Listed Silk Stocking on her home deck of the Gold Coast in early May.

Bengal Diamond followed that performance up with a triumph in Benchmark 85 grade a few weeks later at Eagle Farm.

The four-year-old mare was thrown in the deep end at her next start as she contested the Magic Millions National Classic over a mile.

The daughter of Flying Artie finished almost four lengths behind the winner on that occasion.

Bengal Diamond was accepted for the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm last month, but she was on the outside looking in of the final field as the first emergency.

Despite that, Campton believes she is ready to break through in stakes grade, whenever she gets her opportunity.

Bengal Diamond was set to contest the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on Saturday at Caloundra before being scratched after drawing wide. 

She will instead run in the Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1400 metres on the program. 

“Her prep's been pretty good,” Campton said of her four runs this time in.

“Last start was a bit of a failure. She just didn't handle the track there, but her three starts before that, I thought she'd been super this preparation.

“She's obviously stepped up in grade and taken on much better horses this prep and she showed that she's definitely up to them.

“We were obviously pretty confident going into the run when she won at Eagle Farm in May.

“She was dropping back in grade following racing some pretty smart horses the start before at the Gold Coast. It was a beautiful ride from Ben Thompson and she got the jump done in nice style.

“We opted to go to the mile after that and things didn't go to plan.

“We tried to obviously get the rating points up for the Tiara.”

Despite not sneaking into the field for the last Group 1 of the 2025-26 season, Campton believes Bengal Diamond will get her chance at the highest level soon enough.

“We've only had a couple of Group runners as a stable,” he said.

“It is a big thing for the whole team to have runners in these big races. Tayla does a great job and so does my foreman and the entire team.

“So, it means a lot to us. It's exciting for the team and it would be a big thrill to win a Group 1.

“Hopefully there'll be plenty of other times that we can get one, but with a horse like this, it would mean a lot. She hasn't been straightforward.

“There's been a few hiccups along the way. 

"I think she's definitely got Group-class ability, so hopefully in the future we see her at her best against these types of horses.

“I'd love to win a Group race. I would.”

As well as Bengal Diamond and Zouperb, stablemate Win Star also ran in stakes grade over the recent carnival.

Win Star finished a touch over three lengths behind the winner in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic for the babies.

Looking ahead into the 2026-27 season and beyond, being competitive in juvenile races is where Campton holds ambitions.

“We've had a good year. We've got some nice horses coming through,” he said.

“We've got a lot of young horses now. 

"We haven't had as many runners as we've probably wanted over the last couple of months, but we've got a lot of young horses, babies coming through and had great support from great owners.

“Next season, we're looking to have a big season and hopefully we have the firepower to back it up.

“I've got a lot of young horses on the way up.”

The Campton barn is set for a big few days with runners right across the Sunshine State. 

As well as Bengal Diamond, the stable will have other runners on the program on Saturday at Caloundra while also having starters at Toowoomba on Friday evening, the Gold Coast on Saturday before they head to Beaudesert on Tuesday with a big team engaged.