Cover image courtesy of McEvoy Mitchell Racing
This move carries a sense of returning to a proven formula for the McEvoy team, who previously trained over 10 Group 1 winners from Flemington. The Thoroughbred Report caught up with co-trainer Calvin McEvoy to get his insight on the decision and to hear about the excitement building ahead of the new season.
A restructure, not necessarily an expansion
The McEvoys' acquisition of 31 boxes for the new racing season, previously used by champion trainer Chris Waller at Flemington, is not so much an expansion as it is a strategic restructuring of their operation. Ballarat will remain the team’s primary base, but as Calvin McEvoy explained, the opportunity to return to Flemington was simply too good to pass up.
“We are not necessarily getting bigger, there are just a few moving parts and it is more of a strategic restructure of our training model, but we are very happy to get boxes at Flemington to complement and add to our main base at Ballarat.
Calvin McEvoy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“There have been a few moving parts lately, with obviously Godolphin changing the way they are doing things, and then Waller has picked up the bigger stable at Flemington. There was an opportunity that we jumped at, and luckily enough, the VRC (Victoria Racing Club) gave us the tick, which was very exciting.”
“We are not necessarily getting bigger, there are just a few moving parts and it is more of a strategic restructure of our training model.” - Calvin McEvoy
There’s a sense of homecoming to the move, with Flemington already the backdrop to a successful period for the McEvoys.
“Flemington is a facility we know well. There have been over 10 Group 1 winners trained between Tony and myself over the years there, and we know it works. We are familiar with the track and the facilities, and we are excited to get back there. We think the Flemington addition will really complement Ballarat,” McEvoy said.
A young team on the up
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable has remained consistent in recent seasons, and one key motivation for re-establishing at Flemington is the exposure it brings, both for their younger horses and their presence in the metropolitan area.
While Ballarat offers a relaxed country setting, the city environment adds variety, which the team believes is critical in stimulating young horses and extending the longevity of their preparations.
McEvoy Mitchell Racing Ballarat stable complex | Image courtesy of McEvoy Mitchell Racing
“The last couple of years, we have sort of been consolidating more than anything, and we have a nice healthy number of horses where we can take on something like this.” McEvoy said.
“Getting a Flemington base again will help us establish that presence in the city, and it will be a real asset, especially with our younger horses and our ownership base.
“We have a really nice young team of horses, the new season is coming up quickly and we have the young ones in getting educated. But we feel over the next twelve months, there are going to be a lot of nice horses to step out.
“Getting a Flemington base again will help us establish that presence in the city, especially with our younger horses and our ownership base.” - Calvin McEvoy
“We need to be finding the next horses to be able to compete at the elite level, with a bit of luck there will be a couple there.
“Overall it’s a nice new arm to have to the business, and it adds a little more variety. We feel it is only going to make us better and help us achieve our goals.”
The season that’s been, and what lies ahead
The McEvoys have had a strong season, training 79 winners at a strike rate of 17.7%, with total prizemoney of $4.15 million. But their sights are now firmly set on improving those figures and achieving more success at the higher level.
“It has been a successful year for the team, but we haven’t had enough top-level success, so that’s what we will strive for next season,” McEvoy said.
“It has been a successful year for the team, but we haven’t had enough top-level success, so that’s what we will strive for next season.” - Calvin McEvoy
Among their top hopefuls are a pair of promising stayers, Half Yours (St Jean {Ire}) and No Fuss (NZ) (Jon Snow {NZ}), both of whom have emerged as genuine black-type contenders.
Half Yours has been a revelation since being purchased by Belmont Bloodstock and McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $305,000 via the 2024 Inglis Digital November Sale. Previously with Ciaron Maher, the gelding has since had five starts for the McEvoys, winning three times and placing twice, earning over $310,000, including a dominant last-start victory in the Listed Caloundra Cup.
Half Yours | Image courtesy of McEvoy Mitchell Racing
No Fuss has won four of five starts, all since joining the stable from New Zealand. By the G1 Australian Derby winner Jon Snow (NZ), he carries the familiar OTI silks and shapes as a spring contender.
“We have some really nice stayers, we have Half Yours, who is a horse we feel can get to the top level, No Fuss is another horse that has come through the ranks and we think their best time is going to be in the next six to twelve months, and they are definitely horses that can go to the big level.”
No Fuss (NZ) | Image courtesy of OTI Racing
While the stable’s staying prospects are promising, there’s also growing excitement around their younger crop, including precocious types set to emerge before Christmas.
“We also have fillies like Arabian Summer that will step up, but we are really excited about the group of babies we have coming through, who are not doing a huge amount right now but it comes up quick - the pre-Christmas 2-year-old jump outs, trials and races, and we would expect to be a presence there as well.”
McEvoy summarised, “It is really exciting to get back to Flemington, we are very thankful for the Victoria Racing Club for the opportunity, our staff, and owners, and the bunch of young horses we have look very exciting also, here’s hoping we have a big season ahead.”
