Episode 575: Brett Robb - Learned about horses from his Dad and got his sense of humour from a lifetime in the bush.
Brett looked stunned by the ease of Sizzle Minizzle’s win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Brett Robb made the call to go solo as a trainer when his father Rodney decided to cut his team back to five horses in 2020. He’d been working as stable foreman for Rodney for a number of years and was happy to continue in that role. Rod’s decision prompted Brett to bite the bullet and launch his own training career. From a Dubbo base Brett has 273 wins on the board including a Country Championship Final. He currently has 48 horses in work and is prepared to travel to find the right races for them. Brett can ‘t see himself doing anything else. He joins us on the podcast and talks firstly about his well known nickname.
He talks about a winning double at the first day of the Wellington carnival last Friday and pleasing runs from his two fillies in the Wellington Boot.
Brett looks at the performances by two stable runners in the recent Country Championship Final.
“Snow” pays tribute to his dad Rodney Robb, a legend in Western Districts racing for half a century.
He acknowledges the talents of stable jockey Clayton Gallagher and stable apprentices Izzy Neale and Jordan Quince.
Brett recalls his childhood days in local pony club and other equine pursuits. He says none of it would have been possible without the dedication of his mother Wendy.
The trainer looks back on his unforgettable two years as a ringer on Queensland’s famous Durham Downs cattle station. He shares several stories of those heady days in the outback and gives a shout out to a great bush character of the era.
Brett looks back on a long stint with NSW Railways based at Nyngan.
He talks of On A Promise, the horse he regards as the one to launch his career.
Brett speaks fondly of another prolific winner Dalavin.
He looks back on a TAB Highway win with Boom Boom Basil.
A Magic Zariz is perhaps Brett’s all time favourite. He still has the old warrior on his Dubbo property.
Brett hasn’t forgotten the day Sizzle Minizzle walked into his stables. He looks back on the gelding’s racing career and the thrill of a win in the Country Championship Final.
The trainer reflects on his association with legendary country jockey Greg Ryan.
Brett says Sizzle Minizzle’s foot issues saw his form taper off towards the end of his career.
He remembers a TAB Highway win with Wilbury.
Brett pays an appropriate tribute to Gallant Star, the horse he regards as the best he’s trained to date. He takes us through the gelding’s racing career.
This is a laid back chat with a bush horseman who has spent very few days of his 37 years without a horse close by.
Sizzle Minizzle (Sam Clipperton) scored an emphatic win in the Country Championship Final at Randwick 01/04/2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Gallant Star (Sam Clipperton) wins his first Sydney race at Randwick defeating Life’s A Party 30/12/2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Brett with Boom Boom Basil after a TAB Highway win 21/05/2022 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Brett takes it all in after a Tamworth win with Majority 13/11/2021 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Brett provided the quinella with Wilbury (Clayton Gallagher) and Gallant Star in the TAB Highway at Rosehill 02/12/2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Brett often doubles as strapper. Here he is with Wilbury after the Rosehill win - courtesy Bradley Photo
