Trainer Lane was all smiles after a win with Bombasay at Randwick 17/10/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
An interesting guest is Wyong trainer Damien Lane who walked away from a likely future as a carpenter to the chancy business of professional horse training. Mind you he did ply his old trade on the Wyong Race Club maintenance team for a while, before biting the bullet in 2008. The laconic Lane begins by talking about his current winning run and says it doesn’t pay to get carried away.
Damien talks about the strategic benefits of training at Wyong.
He talks of his many trips to faraway country meetings. He says improved bush prize money is a great incentive to take horses away.
The trainer talks about his resolve to personally attend as many meetings as he can.
Damien pays tribute to his father-in-law, former trainer Bob Law whose input is invaluable. He talks of Bob’s success with unsound horses in the 80’s and 90’s.
He acknowledges the contribution to the training operation of wife Kate who rides a power of trackwork at Wyong.
Damien has nothing but praise for his stable apprentice Anna Roper who figures prominently on the NSW premiership ladder five months into the current season.
He takes us back to early days in Coonamble and pays tribute to his late father, former jockey Frank Hodgson.
Damien gives great credit to his uncle and mentor Cec Hodgson who’s still training a small team in Coonamble.
He recalls mother Narelle’s insistence that her son complete a trade before settling on his career direction.
The trainer talks about his move to Wyong around the time of the dreaded Equine Virus. He says he worked for two local trainers in the early days.
Damien says his fragile financial state propelled him into a full time job on the Wyong maintenance team.
He looks back on the start of a friendship with two Victorian brothers who agreed to lease him a horse called Benny Blue Eyes - the horse to provide his magical first win. He would win another six races with the gelding.
He talks of another horse he was able to lease from the same source - a horse who would become his all time favourite. He won ten races with Pirate Ben including two strong country Cups.
Damien talks of subsequent veterans like All But Gone and Johnny Roo Boy who more than paid their way.
The trainer says he’s been able to find good homes for the genuine old geldings.
He speaks highly of talented mare Buckin’ Beauty who recently produced her first foal.
Damien gives credit to fellow Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan who recommended him to loyal client Bruce McKenzie. The trainer says it’s been a pleasure to train several of the “Oakfield” horses for the thoroughly professional participant.
He talks of his attachment to the famous Grafton July Carnival and the winning run he enjoyed in the Jacaranda city last year.
Damien looks back on his Wellington Boot win with Sonnet Star and a subsequent crack at a Melbourne stakes race. This was the only time he’s used his namesake, crack Victorian jockey Damian Lane (slight variation in the spelling of the Christian name).
“Wyong Damien” says the name similarity has caused a couple of ticklish situations behind the scenes.
He acknowledges the long time assistance of veteran jockey Darryl “Digger” McLellan.
A nice yarn with a dedicated horseman.
(Banner image - Damien won 10 races with his old favourite Pirate Ben including this one at Randwick 18/05/2016. Blaike McDougall was the jockey - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Sam Clipperton gets Oakfield Missile home narrowly from True Detective at Rosehill 25/04/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Buckin’ Beauty loved Canterbury! Here she is winning her fifth race on the track with Patrick Scorse in the saddle 17/08/2022 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Damien with Bruce Mackenzie and Tim Clark after Oakfield Gettem’s win at Wyong 06/06/2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Damien with Sky’s Gary Harley after a Newcastle win by All But Gone in 2015 - courtesy Bradley Photograhers.
Great mates! Damien and Kate at a Wyong meeting - courtesy Bradley Photographers.