Martin and her owners have raced a host of high-quality gallopers over the past three decades, however, Vintage Crop’s (Ire) (Rousillon {USA}) ground-breaking G1 Melbourne Cup victory in 1993 proved the unlikely catalyst for Martin's transition from working in hotels to racing star thoroughbreds.
“I had a call from my friend who was marketing manager at the VRC at the time and she said we’re bringing out Dermot Weld and the Smurfit family who have a horse called Vintage Crop and we’d like them to stay at the Regent (Hotel),” Martin said.
“And at about that time I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be exciting to work in racing?' I thought it might be something that was possible and called a friend and asked if she knew an accountant who would prepare my application to start a syndication business.”
Working with Waterhouse
Martin speaks fondly of her association with Waterhouse, who she still remains friends with despite moving her business to Chris Waller in 2013.
She reminisces on her and Waterhouse’s first Group 1 success with Danglissa (Danzero) in the late 90s and the heights they scaled with G1 Golden Slipper S. hero turned successful Widden Stud stallion Sebring.
“Gai (Waterhouse) was unbelievably supportive of me as I was of her and for a time, I thought maybe we were Thelma and Louise,” she said.
“Gai (Waterhouse) was unbelievably supportive of me as I was of her and for a time, I thought maybe we were Thelma and Louise.” - Denise Martin
“It was quite extraordinary as when I came to Sydney I wasn’t known, I didn’t have a racing background and I think people felt I’d be here for six months and be gone. Some people initially thought I was Gai’s driver.
“So, it was a special part of my life (working with Gai). I admire Gai more than anyone in the world and after 20 years (in 2013) I decided it was probably time to look at where Star (Thoroughbreds) was going and at that time Chris (Waller) was beginning to develop his reputation as a star trainer going forward,” Martin said.
Stars of the show
While the hype surrounding Espiona (Extreme Choice) has been deafening since the filly bolted in by 6.5l in last November’s Listed Desirable S. at Flemington, Martin and Waller aren’t unfamiliar with the situation they are currently faced with, having managed the careers of ‘hero horse’ Invincibella (I Am Invincible) and fellow class-mare Fiesta (I Am Invincible) in unison.
She said what awaits Espiona following the G1 Surround S. is entirely in Waller’s hands as their working relationship is built on respect for each other's specific roles.
Denise Martin and Chris Waller
“My office is next door to Chris' (Waller) and we tend to see each other very often, but when I moved my business to Chris’ stable, I indicated that I would look after the people and wouldn’t want to be actively involved in anything that related to the management of the horses,” she said.
"I work on the basis that he is the best in the land and why would I have a better idea, so we have a wonderfully harmonious relationship."
