Colt Prosser had just finished shoeing his second horse of the day, when we called to tell him of his October award. Like so many of his country counterparts Colt helps to defray costs for owners by being a jack of all trades around his Wauchope stables.
Colt talks to Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win by Haames at Rosehill - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
The talented all round horseman rarely exceeds twenty horses in work, but managed to win four races for the month. He won with Skates On (Ben Looker) at Armidale on October 9th and Royal Kew (Zac Wadick) at Wauchope five days later. On October 31st he landed an impressive Grafton double with Little Prophet (Luke Rolls) and Dis Is Heaven (Peter Graham). Only a handful of Non TAB meetings are conducted on the tight Wauchope track these days. “Racing NSW called time on TAB meetings because the track is too narrow,” said Colt. “They let us race three or four times a year with no more than eight runners. By the same token the track has a good surface and serves the purpose as a work track.”
Colt learned the fundamentals of horsemanship from his father Grant, a successful trainer who still prepares half a dozen horses on the local track. Grant Prosser doubles as curator at the Wauchope racecourse. On leaving school Colt went to work for Port Macquarie trainer Tas Morton, and enjoyed the job to the extent that he stayed for a decade. Then followed a happy six year stint with Gold Coast trainer Brian Guy who was rarely without a handy horse. “It was around 2011 when I returned to Wauchope and set up shop under my own name,” said Colt. “I think we’re creeping up towards 250 winners now, and I’ve been lucky to have had a handful of pretty nice horses.”
Those special horses include Prince Mayted who won 9 races, including one on the Kensington track and another at Doomben. Haames won four races including TAB Highways at Rosehill and Randwick, while Tallis was also successful in a Randwick TAB Highway. Colt’s love of horses is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that his old favourites have a home for life on his Wauchope property. That property embraces 80 flood free acres right behind the racecourse.
One of Colt's favourites Prince Mayted (Mikayla Weir) wins on the Kensington track 05/09/2018 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
The Prosser farm is currently transitioning into a commercial stud venture. The trainer is standing the fashionably bred Vilified who has covered 18 mares so far this season. “It’s been in the back of my mind for a long time to give him a chance,” said Colt. “He won four races on the northern rivers himself and is by Press Statement out of Sin Sin Sin, making him a half brother to Yes Yes Yes brilliant winner of the 2019 Everest. Yes Yes Yes is the all time Randwick track record holder for 1200m.”
At just 40 years of age, the dedicated father of three is totally focused on a life with thoroughbreds. He and wife Tarsha are currently building a new home on their dream property. Hopefully Colt will be able to make room in the feed shed to accommodate the delivery of twelve complimentary bags of Pryde’s EasiPerformance.
Haames (Andrew Adkins) wins his second TAB Highway - Rosehill 14/09/2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Colt with Andrew Adkins after the Randwick TAB Highway win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - Tallis (Brenton Avdulla) wins the TAB Highway for Colt Prosser 18/07/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
