The Garrard name is synonymous with harness racing.
Through the business Garrards Horse & Hound which stretches throughout the southern hemisphere, the name appears almost everywhere through their generous sponsorship of all three racing codes on a daily basis.
From the east coast to the west coast of Australia plus the north island to the south island of New Zealand, the Garrards name is emblazoned at most tracks, if not all.
But the heart rests comfortably with the harness code.
The family patriarch Chris is a former trainer/driver while his son Daren still puts the harness on a small but select stable on the north side of Brisbane at Burpengary.
And the next generation continues to make inroads with Angus an active participant in the mini-trotting ranks in the sunshine state.
There is no question; the Garrard family put plenty in.
They breed, buy and race plenty.
And the results speak for themselves.
Last season, a pair of rookie pacers emerged as genuine talents for the future in Heart Of Change and Changeoverme both securing feature race victories.
Heart Of Change won the Gr.2 $80,000 Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series Pace Final, an event which they sponsor while Changeoverme won the Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad Final at Albion Park.
Both pacers were prepared by Kylie Rasmussen and Darren Weeks.
Now, both pacers have returned from their break.
“They returned to work on Tuesday after both having a really good break, we were determined to give both a really good spell following their first season of racing and hopefully they come back a little stronger and better than before they went out.” Daren Garrard said.
However, there is a slight change in the set-up this season.
As is the custom, all youngsters start their early education before progressing to their first season of racing under the Rasmussen/Weeks banner before transferring to the Garrard stable.
It’s a system with a proven track record.
“We’re more than happy with the set-up we have and it comes down to a number of things, we have a high amount of youngsters each season and the record of Kylie and Darren with young stock is sensational, they’re both outstanding horse people.
“Obviously both pacers we’ll be set for a number of features this season including the QBRED classics plus a few other targets are certainly on the agenda. Both have to come back and prove themselves again but I’m hopeful they’re still on the way up.
“I think Heart Of Change is a nice filly, if she could do a similar job to Mathilda Diventa then we’re set for a fun season while Changeoverme should keep improving with time, his mother Mad Mel always seemed to come back a little better at the start of her preparations.”
Both Heart Of Change and Changeoverme were bred by the Garrard family, both being progeny of the former New Zealand Cup champion Changeover who stands at the famed Nevele R Stud in Christchurch.
The Garrard family has close ties to Nevele R Stud, just like they do with leading Queensland nursery, Burwood Stud on the Darling Downs.
So don’t be surprised if more success comes their way this season.
Chris Barsby