Episode 376: Norm Gardner

Great to catch up with a horseman whose name appears regularly among winning trainers at Southern Districts meetings, and occasionally in the city. Students believe Norm Gardner’s strike rate in recent years is a very healthy one. We talk to Norm about some of his recent winners, and the disadvantage of training horses in the bitter Canberra winters. Norm talks of retired Canberra jockey Kevin Sweeney who knew it was cold when ice gathered on his eyebrows during trackwork. The trainer talks of his stabling accommodation at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park training complex, and his nearby 40 acre property known as Summerhill Thoroughbreds. Norm says wife Diane plays a major role in looking after the place. We go back to Norm’s younger days in Wagga where his father Tom always had a horse or two around him- harness horses included. Norm says he dreamed of becoming a jockey from the moment he began riding trackwork for local trainer Fred Shaydel. He was doomed to disappointment. He says he did the next best thing by becoming a picnic rider. He couldn’t believe how easily he got a licence. Norm talks of a happy five years on the circuit and a handful of special wins. He talks of the current improvement in picnic prize money. The Canberra horseman talks of his plumbing apprenticeship and the dislike his mother harboured for racing. She wanted him to look for another career. Finally he drifted into racing. He talks of the inglorious fate suffered by his first horse. Norm talks of the filly he was able to lease who would kick start his training career. He’s never forgotten Sienna Storm. He talks of his connection with the Cheung family who became his first outside owners, and a good horse who consolidated the friendship. Norm talks about an ongoing problem with the horse in question. The astute trainer looks back on the special horses who slowly lifted his profile. Gardner pays tribute to some outstanding regional jockeys who’ve ridden successfully for his stable. Switching codes and Norm talks of his association with Canberra trots trainer Frank O’Sullivan. He raced two horses with Frank who won twenty three races between them. Norm pays tribute to three daughters and five grand children. He gives us an update on the whereabouts of his former apprentice Courtney Gravener who quit the saddle after a freakish mounting yard accident. Norm speaks of his current junior rider Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen. Norm acknowledges the support of loyal owner Reg Keene. A nice chat with a talented Southern Districts horseman.