Episode 573: Gratz Vella - His Golden Slipper placing with Music Time triggered requests for a podcast.

Gratz Vella drifted into the training business more than 30 years ago and loves his job - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

I’ve had several emails requesting a podcast with Gratz Vella in the wake of his thrilling third placing in the TAB Golden Slipper with Music Time. The Maltese born trainer drifted into the racing game by pure chance and has held a licence for more than three decades. He’s enjoyed a notable measure of success from his Canberra base and is widely respected by all sections of the industry. Gratz secured Music Time for just $45,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic Sale and soon discovered that he’d bought a very promising young horse for long established clients. Music Time probably cost himself a win at his first start but quickly made amends with a hat trick, culminating in the Black Opal on his home track. The Gratz Vella story is one that needs to be acknowledged on our podcast.

The trainer says he’ll be pinching himself for quite a while yet.

Gratz says he asked his jockey Pierre Boudvillain to ride Music Time as close as possible without overdoing it.

He explains the reason why the gelding got a little bit lost in the closing stages.

The trainer acknowledges the support of six owners, some of whom have had horses with him for many years.

Gratz goes back to the Inglis Classic Sale of 2023. He recalls being “blown out of the water” on a few early lots and says his confidence had been dimmed by the time a certain All Too Hard colt came into the ring.

He believes the youngster’s immature appearance put a few buyers off.

Gratz says the All Too Hard colt quickly signalled his talent. He was given a nickname in his first preparation.

The trainer says his Golden Slipper placegetter has already developed one unlikely taste.

Vella says he wasn’t tempted to run him again this preparation.

Gratz discusses his burgeoning partnership with French born jockey Pierre Boudvillain, currently one of the most talked about riders in the nation.

The Canberra horseman takes us back twenty years to his first Golden Slipper start with a $300.00 “pop”.

Gratz talks about his late father’s arrival in Australia sixty years ago. Michael Vella found a job in Canberra and a suitable house before bringing his wife and eight children to a new land.

The trainer pays tribute to his remarkable mother who died only recently at 95 years of age.

Gratz Vella’s business acumen was on display at an early age. He, two brothers and a handful of mates collected horse manure from a nearby pony club and carted it around the district in home made billy carts. When the concept became popular with backyard gardeners, the boys investigated bolstering supplies from Canberra racing stables. Gratz says his love affair with thoroughbreds began there and then.

He says Robbie O’Sullivan was the trainer to teach him the basics of horse management and would later encourage him to take out his own licence.

Gratz says he kicked off at amateur meetings but quickly made up his mind to progress to the professional ranks.

He explains the derivation of his rather curious Christian name.

Gratz talks of the amazing offer he received from highly successful Canberra trainer John Morrisey. He was destined to stay with Morrisey for twenty years during which time he had the opportunity to prepare a small team of his own.

He says Morrisey’s later move to the Gold Coast prompted his decision to go it alone.

Gratz looks back on the horses to help him along the way. He’s got a story or two about a few stable favourites.

His story about the acquisition of his current stable colours is a very entertaining one.

He talks of his Aussie born kids and the five grandchildren who’ve come along in recent years.

It’s a laid back chat with the kid from the historic township of Zabbar in Malta’s port region. He’s a highly respected and universally liked member of the Canberra training ranks and has no intention of leaving the city adopted by his father six decades ago.

Gratz enjoys a win more than most! - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Pierre Boudvillain’s European style was on display as Music Time cleared out to win the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Gratz chats with Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Greg Radley after the Black Opal Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Music Time (orange cap) runs a cracking third in the TAB Golden Slipper - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

With Tommy Berry after a Rosehill win with Stephan 09/11/2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.