Sport
26 April, 2024
Local stable in the mix
WARRNAMBOOL-based stables, Dabernig Racing, will no doubt be a crowd favourite at the track during the May Racing Carnival.
Tom and Cassi Dabernig relocated to Warrnambool in 2021 to begin what has become an exciting chapter in their racing story.
Having worked his whole life at Lindsay Park with his family, the decision to move to the seaside town was not an easy one for Tom.
With the support of his young family, Tom established his own training operation and today Dabernig Racing has a team of 60 horses in-training and employs about 25 staff.
“I’m always striving to evolve as a trainer and with support from my wife (Cassi) and family we’ve really hit the ground running since moving here,” Tom said.
“I’m passionate about the country environment as a preferred place to train horses and I’m eager to incorporate the beach and all that Warrnambool has to offer into our training regime.”
In just a few short years Tom has established himself as a well-respected and successful trainer.
Since earning his trainer’s licence in 2004, his list of credits continues to grow.
His story is one of success and triumph.
He entered into a training partnership with David Hayes in 2014 and three years later won the Racing Victoria Fred Hoysted Medal (recognising excellence during the season).
He took out the Victorian and Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership in both 2019 and 2020, when he also became head trainer of Lindsay Park and was awarded leading trainer of the 2020 Flemington Spring Carnival.
Between 2014 and 2020, Tom won 19 Group 1 races in the Lindsay Park training partnership.
Now running his own business from the heart of Warrnambool, Tom is keen to build on his success.
“We really appreciate the support of the Warrnambool Racing Club as well as local businesses and suppliers,” he said.
“Last year we had a number of runners at the May Racing Carnival, with a frustrating six placings; the previous year we did have a winner.”
Dabernig Racing is planning on entering a number of runners over the three-day carnival.
On day one (Tuesday) the stables will have its first entry over the hurdles under the Dabernig banner, Maatsuyker, in the maiden hurdle over 3200m.
They will also look to run Picaroon in the open 1700m race with local jockey, Tom Madden, as well as Calico Jack in the BM70 over 1220m (part-owned by well-known local businessman, Colin McKenna).
“We’ll have a number of runners over days two and three, however these are yet to be finalised.”
To date, Tom’s biggest success at the May Racing Carnival was as trainer of the 2019 Warrnambool Cup winner Furrion.
“The Warrnambool carnival is a great annual event and it’s something we always enjoy being a part of,” Tom said.
“The community really gets behind this in so many ways which is fantastic. Let’s hope we have a winner or two.”
