Episode 271: Helen Page

Great to catch up with a trailblazer of the early Sydney female training ranks. Helen talks about her move from Warwick Farm to the Gold Coast in 1997- a decision she has never regretted. She talks of the loyal new owners who supported the stable when she arrived in Queensland, and three new acquisitions from the Gold Coast Sale. The talented horsewoman highlights two outstanding horses she’s had the pleasure to train from her Gold Coast stables. Helen takes us back to her childhood days at Warialda (NSW) and her earliest introduction to horses. She pays tribute to parents Bob and Rosalie who loved horses as much as she did. She tells the story of the wonderful Xmas day when she and her brother got the surprise of their lives. Helen talks of Uni days at Armidale and her subsequent experience as an Infants School teacher- she loved every minute of her work at some remote country schools. The trainer looks back on a transfer to Sydney and her second job as a trackwork rider for Tommy Smith. Helen’s love of the show horse led her to Moliere, a former racehorse who went on to become a legend on the circuit. How she loved that horse! She reflects on her snap decision to become a trainer. She put one of her show horses into training to win her first race at Wyong. Helen talks of her first city winner, and the T.J Smith “cast-off” Haida Prince. She won the Gr 2 Todman trial with the former rogue. The trainer pays tribute to her favourite horses with special mention of Magnolia Hall. This was the horse to provide her supreme racing thrill when he finished third in a Melbourne Cup. Helen acknowledges the talents of two star stable apprentices John Powell and Shane Edmonds. She gives much of the credit for her success to husband John Page, a former top trainer in the tough Sydney market. John won hundreds of races, but is best remembered for his wizardry with the unsound triple Derby winner Royal Sovereign.