Denim Wynen arrived at Rosehill on Saturday with mixed feelings about her decision to bring Monkhana and Sunshine Law to the races. The track had already been declared a heavy 10, rain clouds continued to threaten and a huge number of horses had been withdrawn on the ten race card. The Wyong trainer’s spirits were lifted by Monkhana’s excellent second to Cool Brew in the Midway, after which she began to count the minutes to Sunshine Law’s engagement more than an hour later. Her confidence was enhanced by the fact that the original acceptance of thirteen in the BM78 had dwindled to six runners.
There were several things going for the recently acquired Inglis Digital graduate. Sunshine Law had posted two Soft 5 wins when trained by the Archibalds, she had the benefit of an inside gate and the luxury of a 2kg claim for Anna Roper who’d been buoyed by an earlier win on Without Parallel. At the 800m mark Sunshine Law was travelling generously near the fence behind leaders African Daisy and Super Norwest with Lady Extreme’s rider happy to travel three wide. The Waller representatives Sister Daae and Pippie Beach were joint tailenders.
Anna Roper on Sunshine Law didn’t need to probe for a gap on straightening. She was presented with one when Ashley Morgan on Super Norwest elected to drift a little wider on straightening. “I was pretty happy when the mare grabbed the lead at the 200m,” said Denim. “I got a bit anxious when Super Norwest wouldn’t go away and I could see Pippie Beach making ground on our inside. I screamed myself hoarse in the closing stages and I’m sure it helped. To win my first metropolitan race at a Saturday Rosehill meeting was a huge thrill, right on top of a second placing with our only other runner. The text messages started straight away with the very first one coming from my mother. It was just overwhelming.”
Sunshine Law held out Super Norwest and Pippie Beach to give Denim her maiden city win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Denim’s association with Sunshine Law’s owner Steve Morris and his wife Amanda evolved by chance. When a friend happened to mention that he’d taken a share in a two year old Brutal colt being prepared by Denim Wynen at Wyong, Steve decided to snap up a remaining share. He soon learned that patience is a pre-requisite in racehorse ownership. The Brutal colt is now a three year old, and hasn’t yet raced as a result of recurring shin soreness. Earlier this year Steve invested in several yearlings (now two year olds) fully aware that his first race starter would be a long way off. Denim wasn’t completely surprised a few months ago when he acquired two ex Yulong mares from the Inglis Digital May sale. Steve was itching to get to the races.
Both mares are by Alabama Express from daughters of Street Cry and had been winners for previous trainers. Sunshine Law, Steve’s $85,000 online purchase had won races at Canberra and Hawkesbury for the Archibald stable. Alabama Blitz ($65,000) had won a Yarra Valley maiden for Glen Thompson before being moved on. Following one quiet trial, Alabama Blitz was scheduled to have her first start in new colours at Saturday’s washed out Newcastle meeting. Once again Steve Morris was reminded of racing’s compulsory patience factor.
A happy group after Sunshine Law's Rosehill win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Tamworth born Denim Wynen was only ten years old when her family moved to Gosford on the NSW Central Coast. Horses hadn’t been a part of her upbringing, but she started to develop an interest when her brother Zac landed a job with recently retired Wyong trainer Stephen Schofield. “I sometimes went with Zac to “Beaver’s” stables and it wasn’t long before I started to form an attachment to these amazing animals,” recalled Denim. “I might add I was one of those kids who disliked school. I couldn’t wait to leave and get a job, preferably working with horses. I was fourteen and a half years old when I left school and fell into a stablehand’s job with trainer Kristen Buchanan. I was thrilled to receive a text from Kristen after Saturday’s win.”
Denim expresses her gratitude to Anna Roper after Sunshine Law's win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Denim didn’t waste a minute of those valuable early years with the Buchanan stable. She tried to take something from every new experience and actually learned to ride. She later became a very reliable trackwork and jumpouts contributor. She gained later experience in casual roles with other Wyong trainers by which time her partner Reece Partington suggested a move to Port Macquarie and a low key start in her own training career. With rarely more than two or three horses in work, Denim had to wait quite some time before her first winner came along, and with it came an unexpected trophy. She won the Denman Cup at Muswellbrook with Dual Escape, a mare Kristen Buchanan had sent her way. Over the next couple of years Denim would win another three races and notch many placings with Dual Escape. Hard working jockey Serg Lisnyy rode the daughter of Dubleo in all four wins.
Denim won four races with Dual Escape, a mare passed on to her by Kristen Buchanan. One of those wins was this BM70 at Hawkesbury 07/03/2020 with Serg Lisnyy in the saddle - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
The Covid pandemic was in full swing in 2022 when Denim and Reece took up the option on four boxes at Wyong racecourse. She’s since moved into an eight horse barn right alongside the complex occupied by her good friend Kim Waugh. Denim chooses not to fill all eight boxes, preferring to keep her team to a workable half dozen and handle most of the stable chores personally. She has the luxury of an ace work rider in Jess Rae, a former versatile equestrienne who has adapted brilliantly to the art of riding racehorses. Brooke Bergen is another talented rider who’s happy to help out when needed.
Denim appreciates the frequent assistance rendered by her son Eli (11) and daughter Indi (9). Not only are the kids rapidly forming an attachment to Mum’s gallopers, but both are pony club participants of obvious natural talent. To complete the perfect family situation, Reece is a full time member of the Wyong Race Club maintenance crew. The gang’s all here!
I was hesitant to ask the twenty nine year old trainer a question that must have been asked a million times before. How would a young Tamworth born budding horse trainer acquire a christian name best known as a tough cotton fabric used worldwide in the manufacture of popular clothing for the last one hundred and fifty years. “I really don’t know,” said the mother of two. “Believe it or not I’ve never asked my mother why she called me Denim. I’ve just grown up with it and haven’t given it a second thought. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked to spell it over the phone. My name is just a small part of my business model. Call me what you will. I just want to get on with the business of training racehorses.”
Denim and Anna Roper with Monkhana after a Hawkesbury win 05/04/2025 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - Anna Roper notches a double for the day on Sunshine Law in the BM78 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)