‘I got to a point where I need to do it otherwise I will spend the rest of my life regretting it.’

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Mark Purdon is a giant of New Zealand harness racing. A master trainer and champion driver, he’s won virtually everything there is in the sport. 

Not one to rest on his legend status, he’s decided to try his hand at training thoroughbreds and began the all important task of building his team at this week’s Karaka sales.

“This is the first time I have selected yearlings with the intention of giving it a fair crack,” said Purdon.

Buying under his banner All Stars Racing Stables, he came away with three horses from the sale including a Savabeel ex Pink Graffiti colt he bought out of the Waikato Stud draft for $200,000. The colt is out of a half–sister to dual Group 1 winner Glamour Puss (Tale Of The Cat) and Doncaster Handicap winner Vision And Power (Carnegie). 

“I thought I might have to make another bid or two, but was prepared to do that on what I thought of him.

“I met Jamie Richards later and he told me he was primarily there to buy fillies, but that he rated this colt highly.”

Purdon also went to $80,000 for a Tivaci (High Chaparral) colt and forked out $120,000 for a Proisir (Choisir) colt.

It was about four years ago when Purdon, 58, started toying with the idea of becoming a thoroughbred trainer and now he’s turning that dream into a reality. 

“It’s something I have always been passionate about and got to a stage of my life where if I don’t do it I will never do it. I got to a point where I need to do it otherwise I will spend the rest of my life regretting it.”

Earlier this month, his son Nathan officially joined the family business All Stars by becoming a partner. This move has allowed Purdon to start focussing on the transition to preparing thoroughbreds.

“Nathan has partnered on the harness side and I wanted to give him a bit more rein and responsibility so I can do something I enjoy.

“It’s a little bit of a hobby, although I will be serious in giving the horses the best chance they can to be their best.”

Purdon says he’s looking forward to testing his horsemanship in a new code of racing with a different breed of horse. 

“Naturally they will be different to train as they don’t take the work a standardbred does. I will do ground work at home and take them into Riccarton twice a week.”

Joining him at his Rolleston base will be Gary Barlow, a trainer in his own right.

“Gary has also spent time with Graeme Rogerson and has a lot of experience and he will guide me, and with my own thinking hopefully it all comes together well.”

Purdon plans to give his trio of Karaka graduates a month’s break before sending them to Danny Frye to be broken in.

“The timing will work out good for me by the time they are ready to join me, I will be in a position where things are a lot quieter.”

While Purdon is excited by the new challenge he’s also keeping an open mind on it all and not placing too much expectation or pressure on his small team of horses.

“I’ve got my quota and I’m looking forward to concentrating on them.

“I have had so much success in harness racing with young horses, that’s why I wanted to buy yearlings. They will tell me whether they are up to two–year–old racing or if they need more time. I’m taking it as it comes in that respect.”

So far, he’s enjoying the ride and says the process of sourcing the bloodstock at Karaka was exceptional.

“It’s been a wonderful experience. All the vendors have been so welcoming and obliging and letting us look at horses. The professionalism across the board from the little guys to the big guys has been outstanding and I have really enjoyed the experience.”

It will come as no surprise to any of us to see Purdon make a success of his foray into thoroughbred racing. There have been others before him who have made the switch, with West Australian horseman Fred Kersley, trainer of the champion racehorse Northerly, a shining example that it can be done and done well.