Episode 429: Adam Campton

Twenty months ago Adam Campton was still working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club unsure of his next career move. He made the snap decision to return to Australia and take out a trainer’s  licence. A winner with his very first starter at Warwick set the scene for his immediate future. Since then he’s reeled off more than forty wins and is deadly serious about his future as a trainer. Adam begins by reviewing the short career of Deepour who’s won 5 from 7 since being sourced from the Inglis Digital On Line Sale.  The young trainer talks about his blueblood racing pedigree with special mention of his father Neil, a multiple Gr 1 winning jockey and successful trainer. Adam talks of his relationship with maternal grandfather, the late Les Coles rider of Even Stevens who won the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1962.  He talks of several other notable racing achievers in the immediate family. Adam takes us through the many and varied things he tried before settling on a training career. He talks of a short stint working for the Darley operation under Peter Snowden. He looks back on a lengthy involvement in the hospitality industry. He finished up as bar manager at a western Sydney pub. The thirty five year old looks back on his time with Rosehill trainer Tim Martin. Adam then moved into the on- line betting industry where he would spend four valuable years. He then talks of a very happy four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club  looking after the interests of racehorse owners and young members. His partner Tayla Whalley accompanied him to HK. Adam explains that his decision to return to Australia happened overnight. He talks of a low key start as a trainer, and pays tribute to Lord Markel, the former Victorian horse who turned up in his Gold  Coast stable. This was the horse to give him a dream start in his new role. Adam talks of the purchase of his own stabling complex and the facilities on offer. He acknowledges the support he gets from partner Tayla Whalley, a Queensland born girl who has a great affinity with horses. The trainer talks about the regular video presentation he and Tayla compile for stable clients. He acknowledges the support of two special work riders. Adam pays a heartfelt tribute to Lord Markel, the horse he never expected to see in his stable. He talks of the heartbreaking disappointment he experienced a short time after beginning his training operation. Adam acknowledges the horses who’ve helped launch his training career. He talks of the talented Brazilian jockey who made a big impression during a short stay in Queensland.  He has nice things to say about apprentice Yvette Lewis who came to him from the Tamworth stables of Sue Grills. A little encouragement goes a long way. Adam says his Sydney based mother Trish is the unabashed leader of his fan club. The trainer talks about his brother-in-law by marriage, the champion Queensland jockey James Orman. It’s a laid back chat with a young horseman who took a while to sort out his career path. There’s no holding him now.