Teamwork to the fore as Turpin’s progression mirrors that of Neasham

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Right around the time star filly Learning to Fly (Justify) was born, Alix Turpin began her own journey in Australian racing joining what was then the fledgling Annabel Neasham stable.

Turpin had just completed a six-month stint riding breakers at Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley and through Rob Archibald, who was working in a key role for the farm at the time, she was connected with Neasham who was on the search for fresh young staff to join her team.

“I had to do farm work for visa restrictions so I googled Coolmore and got myself set up there and once the six months was up Rob said Annabel was after someone with a client facing background which I had done in London so I was in the right place at the right time,” said Turpin.

“Initially my role was varied doing admin and track work and I was quite hands on and doing that from the start has helped me get to grips with things quickly and allow me to grow into the role.”

During the two and a half years that she’s been working with Neasham, Turpin has worked her way up to the position of sales and marketing manager. She’s risen through the staff ranks as quickly as the stable has established itself as one of the most successful in Australia.

In many ways, it was a perfect match right from the start. Both hail from the UK where each shared a passionate involvement in equestrian sport during their childhood years.

“I wasn’t involved in racing in the UK at all and racing wasn’t on the horizon for me there. So the fact I have been able to combine a previous passion and love of the animal with a role like this, it feels like the perfect fit for me.”

Fast forward to this Saturday and Turpin and Neasham will be front and centre at Rosehill representing the Coolmore–owned Learning to Fly when she contests the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, the Group 1 Golden Slipper.

“We are all really buzzing and despite what happens on Saturday, just to have a horse in a race of that calibre, let alone one like Learning to Fly, is amazing.

“I think you feel very fortunate to be part of a stable that is having that success and as busy as this week is with all the media and enquiries coming through you have to enjoy it,” she said.

The current level of success for the stable is having a hugely positive impact on Turpin’s role, which involves managing the syndicates of owners involved in Neasham’s horses that are sourced domestically and internationally, plus the media management and marketing of the stable.

“Sales are driven by results. The more you are in the press and the more people are hearing about the stable it gets people involved that might not have been involved beforehand. 

“Annabel doing well makes my job easier. If we have a win on a Saturday, you open the laptop on Sunday and there’s a flurry of emails of people wanting to get involved.”

Turpin says one of her main objectives is to ensure that the ownership experience for their clients is second to none.

“I predominantly look after the syndication of horses we buy from sales here and overseas but it probably goes a bit deeper in terms of looking after clients and the ownership experience we are looking to offer with Annabel’s stable.

“There’s a lot more to it than buying in and seeing their name tied to a horse. They want to see more behind the scenes and get more involved with what’s going on and feel a connection to the stable, other than on race days and at the sales. That’s where my role comes into play, in making sure owners get a lot more out of the stable and the sport.”

With a fresh, young, professional approach, the Neasham stable is good for racing and the industry’s public image which has struggled in recent times.  

“Everyone is impressed by what she’s achieved in a short time and how she’s handled that rise – a lot of pressure comes when you grow that quickly.

“She comes across very modest and down to earth. What you see is what you get with Annabel and that’s who she is. Her passion is the horses and their welfare and that always comes first for her. She’s willing to put in she’s a great role model for us in the team and for people outside.

“She’s a great boss, she’s very easy to get along with and she lets you do it and I think that’s one of her strengths. She learned that from Ciaron [Maher], giving people the chance to prove themselves and step up to the mark, and that helps you grow in the long run.”

Neasham is all about teamwork. She often refers to the importance of her staff in the wake of her many successes on the track and that will no doubt be the case on Saturday should they land the Slipper.

“It would mean the absolute world to all of us. As Annabel always says, she’s at spearhead, but a huge number of people are so invested and everyone from the stable plans to be out there to support the filly.”