Darren McCall continues to live his harness racing dream and is now firmly re-established in Australia after twelve years in North America
Originally from Queensland, Darren went to North America to work for Ross Croghan in 1998 for a three month stint and ended up staying in North America for nearly twelve years.
After four years in America under Croghan, Darren and his wife Karina moved to Canada and struck out on their own and had an unbelievable run over the next eight years.
Horses that passed through their stable at various times included the two time Breeders Crown champion Corleone Kosmos.
The son of S J's Photo won $2,141,310 and took a mark of 1:51.2
The outstanding Bettors Delight mare Southwind Tempo 1:48.2 ($2,445,541) was another champion to pass through the McCall barn when in Canada along with two other outstanding mares in Tug River Princess 1:49.3 ($1,858,219) and Carolina Sunshine 1:48.4 ($1,388,062)
Deuce Seelster 1:49.4 ($1,149,825) was another millionaire who competed for McCall while in Ontario.
All up in the eight years that Darren was training on his own account in Canada he won 395 races for $12,027,532 in purses.
“I learnt so much during my 12 years in North America."
"In 2006 Karina and I came up with a five year plan with the aim that we would move back to Australia at the end of that time."
The reason we stayed for so long on was because the experience we gained was so valuable," Darren said.
The McCall's brought home a couple of mares with them with the long term aim of establishing these as their foundation mares in years to come.
One is Ice Ice Baby by Modern Art and she is a half sister to Village Blast 1:51.1 ($425,373) while her dam is a half sister to none other than the brilliant racehorse and sire, Cambest 1:46.1 ($1,444,835)
" We brought Ice Ice Baby at the yearling sales for just $9,000 and she won us $240,000 and went 1:52.3 so she owes us nothing," Darren said.
The other mare was Warrawee Flare who won $609,019 and took a record of 1:50.3
She is a half sister to Safe Harbour 1:50.1 ($492,113) from a half sister to After Life 1:51.4 ($659,328) so lacks nothing on the pedigree or performance front.
Arriving back in Australia in 2011, Darren has worked hard to get re-established and feels now the hard work is starting to pay off.
"I have settled in Sydney and things are on the up here so it is the right place to be."
"I have got a few nice horses in the barn at the moment."
"Bettor Bet Black, Western Rockstar and American Highlights have all won on a Friday night at Menangle in the last month so things are ticking over nicely," Darren said.
Darren is about to move into a new stable set up right across the road from the Menangle Track which will see his number of boxes increase to twenty two.
" I have been doing fifteen because thats all I could accommodate so the extra boxes will be great."
" I have been training one horse for some New Zealand owners and l get on good with the New Zealand horses so I am looking to hopefully get a few more now that I have a bit more room," Darren said.
With his record in both Australia and North America, Darren McCall has a CV that is right up there with the best in the business.
Harnesslink Media