Charlie Duckworth - Chris Waller Racing
TDNAus NZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
CD: I was born and raised in Lambourn, England which is known as the valley of the racehorse and so pin-pointing my first memory is very hard but I guess the Lambourn Open Day which is held on Good Friday. All the trainers open their yards and showcase themselves. You get to meet jockeys and trainers and stable staff, it's a great day and gives you a real feel for the industry.
TDNAusNZ: Team Waller has had a very successful season, what was the highlight for you?
CD: Excluding Winx as she is in a category of her own, I think Reloaded winning his maiden was one of the biggest highlights as I have loved him as an individual right from when he came in as a yearling.
TDNAusNZ: Can you describe Chris in one word?
CD: Calculated.
TDNAusNZ: What do you love most about your job?
CD: Watching the development of our horses through each prep and seeing how they return each preparation.
TDNAusNZ: Do you have a favourite horse in work right now? Why?
CD: Unfortunately Reloaded isn’t back in just yet so I’ll have to be disloyal to him and go for Verry Elleegant as she is still so raw and yet so talented, she can do things wrong and still win group 1’s. She’s a bit different in more ways than one.
Verry Elleegant is a stable favourite of Charlie Duckworth's
TDNAusNZ: Do you have any superstitions or race day rituals?
CD: After trackwork on a Saturday I like to go for a run around Rosehill to blow off some steam and talk through the days runners and then have a beer in the shower to calm the nerves ahead of the big days. As for superstitions as long as the volume is on an even number I am happy.
TDNAusNZ: What’s the most used saying/word around the stables?
CD: In the making.
TDNAusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star in the racing industry? (person, not horse)
CD: Annabel Neasham, she works absolutely tirelessly for Ciaron Maher and worships her horses.
Annabel Neasham (right), pictured competing in the Mongol Derby
TDNAusNZ: If you were an Everest slotholder, who would you pick?
CD: Nature Strip.
TDNAusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
CD: A later start time would be great and would help with the staffing crisis. Getting up basically in the middle of the night and then working all day whether it is in the office or in the stables is ridiculous and by the end of work everyone is shattered and it makes it very hard to have a social life. You can probably tell I feel quite passionate about this one!
TDNAusNZ: If you weren’t in the racing industry what would you be doing?
CD: I would’ve joined the army.
