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Rising star Pollard to launch solo training career
Tayla Dyke
ANZ News
The Queensland training ranks will welcome a new name in February, with former Annabel and Rob Archibald assistant trainer Todd Pollard set to embark on his own training career.
Born and raised in Matamata, Pollard’s interest in racing was sparked early through family involvement, with an aunt breeding and racing several horses, including Taranaki Breeders (Evergreen) Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) winner Rosetti Bay (Pins).
“My early interest was from my dad's auntie, raising horses, and having a couple of handy ones that piqued my interest, but I really enjoyed getting along to the races when I was young and just enjoyed the spectacle of it all. Obviously at that stage, you don't really think about having a career or anything like that,” Pollard told ANZ News.
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That early fascination soon turned into hands-on experience when Pollard knocked on the door of leading trainer Graham Richardson looking for an after-school job at the age of 12.
“We moved next to Graham Richardson’s stable and I went and knocked on his door for an after-school job, and it just blossomed from there.
“Since then, silly as it sounds, I came home on day one, and I said to Mum, ‘I want to be a horse trainer when I'm older,’ and ever since then, I haven't thought of doing anything different,” he said.
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Pollard spent five years learning the ropes under Richardson before broadening his horizons through further education and elite industry exposure. After finishing high school, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Massey University while building his résumé with roles that included a stint with John O’Shea, who was training for Godolphin at the time.
That pathway, along with time spent working with Lisa Latta and at Waikato Stud, culminated in selection for the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program in 2016, providing Pollard with a global education in the thoroughbred industry.
“While I was still at high school, I found out about the Flying Start scholarship and all the people that have been through the program previously and how much it can help you. I knew my parents weren't strong into racing, there were no connections directly in racing and I probably needed to get out and about and get a lot more exposure and learn a lot more,” he said.
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“All those jobs were working for the best and getting plenty of exposure and learning a lot, even building that CV to eventually get on the Flying Start. I knew that was going to send me in the right direction for the future.”
The Flying Start proved transformative, exposing Pollard to training methods across multiple jurisdictions.
“It's so different between Australia, America, Ireland, you couldn't go to each country and train exactly the same. You've got to adapt, but at the end of the day, it's all about getting the horse fit, but most importantly, happy and healthy and getting them to achieve the best results for their ability,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to do placements with some top trainers throughout, Phillip D’Amato in America, Bjorn Baker in Australia over here, in the UK Roger Varian. They're three really good trainers in their own jurisdictions, and you certainly learn a lot.”
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Following the program, Pollard returned to New Zealand to work as racing manager for Stephen Marsh before making the move to Australia in early 2021 to join Annabel Neasham’s expanding operation. His arrival coincided with the emergence of champion import Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux), while Pollard went on to manage the stable’s Queensland base.
“Annabel started out in August 2020, and I joined the team in February 2021, so, five years ago she was still a small enough stable then but had the quality there already. She has really built the stable up and obviously in three different states she's got stables,” he said.
“Having the role with Annabel, when you go out on your own, you've had that exposure and you've made your mistakes because you've run your own stable already and then now's your time to put your own name to the stable.”
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Now preparing to launch independently from Eagle Farm, Pollard is focused on building numbers and establishing his brand.
“There's always been people that have said they will support you along the way, but I suppose now's the time to see what happens… I've got boxes to fill and hopefully over the next few weeks between Magic Millions and Karaka I can get around and see as many people as possible,” he said.
Pollard was en route to the Gold Coast when speaking to ANZ News and is looking to secure his first runners through the Magic Millions and upcoming online sales.
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“I'm realistic. It's a bit of a case of testing the waters and hopefully finding something of good value… I need the runners at the races quick enough, and the tried horses will be mainly where it's at, but I also want to be getting a bit of blood into the stable. I think Queensland is a great place to train two-year-olds. Warm weather, you get them up and going early and I think they can produce pretty good two-year-olds up here as well,” he said.
With long-term ambitions firmly in place, Pollard is under no illusion about the challenge ahead.
“I'm realistic that it's a hard competitive game, but it's something that I'm very dedicated to, and I'm extremely competitive as well. I certainly wouldn't be wanting to become a horse trainer to just be a number. I want to be one of the best that I possibly can be. Obviously results and success over the next 12 months, two years, five years will set you up for which way you're gonna go, and hopefully that's towards the top.”
More information can be found via Pollard’s website at www.toddpollardracing.com.au.
