One of the real success stories in the trainers ranks in harness racing in New Zealand over the last five or six years has been the emergence of Nathan Williamson from a young rookie wannabe to the leading trainer in Southland in that short time.
It has been a whirlwind progression and one that has quickly established Nathan as the go to trainer in the south.
Recently we sat down with Nathan to discuss his reasons for why he went south to establish himself and how he sees the future for not just himself but harness racing in Southland.
Harnesslink – How did the Southland connection come about for a North Otago boy.
Nathan – It was when I had just won the second of the Harness Jewels with Springbank Richard at Cambridge. I still had plenty of time left as a junior driver but Matthew was getting close to driving and dad was going to have start helping him getting established. I could see down the track that Brad would also join the driving ranks so I thought it would be a good time to make a move so everybody got a fair shot.
I had a few offers from some of the better stables in Canterbury but Kirk Larsen had a vacancy and I thought it would be a really good opportunity which it turned out to be.
Harnesslink – With all your success as a junior driver and with time as a junior still available, what lead you to the training ranks so quickly.
Nathan – I was earning good money from the the driving and figured that I would still get plenty of opportunities in the junior ranks so that gave me a bit of a financial backstop to have a go at training.
I started out just pretraining a few for local trainers and the odd one for myself after I had finished work for the day at Kirk's.
The big thing down here is the owners and trainers will give you a hand if they can and that is a big help when you are trying to get established.
Harnesslink – How long did you stay at Kirk Larsens for
Nathan – Just over 12 months all up before I went out full time on my own. I initially leased a property at Makarewa. I only had six- eight in work in that first season but I had already brought a couple at the yearling sales in 2009 to develop and sell as well.
One of those was Classievale, a Courage Under Fire colt and he developed into a lovely horse and I managed to get good money for him when I sold him to Australia which helped with the bills.
Harnessslink – When did you move into Ben and Karen Calder's Grinaldi Lodge setup
Nathan – About twelve months after I went out on my own. Ben and Karen have got 80 acres here and they have their own operation running alongside mine and we work in together.
It is a fantastic setup to train from and Ben and Karen have been very supportive which has made my job so much easier.
There is room for up to 25 horses here and I am full most of the time which keeps us really busy most of the year.
Harnesslink – Your first training winner came along pretty quickly.
Nathan – Yes I was lucky enough to have the Dominion Handicap winner Jaccka Justy in the barn when he won his maiden at Ascot Park so not a bad horse to bring up my first winner with.
Harnesslink – Does the stable- clients buy a lot of horses from the yearling sales.?
Nathan – It is becoming a major focus due to the ongoing success we have been having with the yearlings we have purchased in the last few years.
Onedin Mach won ten for me before we sold him to North America and Tas Man Bromac already has nine wins to date and they are just a couple of the success stories so the sales have become very important.
We brought five last year and I am happy with them all at this point.
I have a fair bit of time for a Mach Three colt from a half sister to Power Of Tara that shows promise and he will be at the workouts in the next few weeks.
Harnesslink – Are you breeding from any mares.
Nathan – I am breeding from a couple of mares with other owners.
Bet's Best is a Sundon mare that won eight from just twenty starts for me and we have her in foal to Monkey Bones.
The other mare is Wattie's Sweetheart who is a Mach Three mare I trained who got injuried after a few starts.
I thought she was really smart and Ben and Karen and I have bred a Grinfromeartoear colt and an Art Major colt from her to date so she has been given a chance.
Harnesslink – Any horses coming through at the moment that really stand out
Nathan – I think Statham is potentially the best horse I have had anything to do with.
He has all the attibutes of a top horse from gate speed to toughness.
I have been very patient with him to date to let him grow into his big frame but this campaign I think he will make people sit up and take notice.
I also have a lot of time for a three year old trotter Dark Horse who won her first couple before missing away last start.
It is early days but she has a lot of ability.
Harnesslink – What do you prefer, pacers or trotters
Nathan – Don't tell dad but I like my pacers more to be honest.
I have had a lot of success with the trotters and still are today but I enjoy the challenge of developing a pacer more to be honest.
Harnesslink – Any operation this size must have good staff.
Nathan – I am spoilt a bit with regards to staff to be honest
Josh Kennett is my foreman and its great to have someone with his experience around when you have a big stable.
Josh takes a lot of the pressure off my shoulders.
Ron Lilley helps out on a part time basis but he is the go to man when I have a problem and need advice.
The stable wouldn't function anywhere near as well as it does without his imput.
Geneieve is a young stablegirl here and Austin Stack will help out on fastwork days when we need him.
I had better mention my farrier Brendan Franks or I will hear about it.
Brendan is great around the stables, he keeps everybody grounded.
Harnesslink – A married man these days.
Nathan – I got married in the middle of last year to Katie Jones
Katie has been around horses all her life so she understands the industry.
She is a full time teacher but is always down here at the barn helping out when she can.
Harnesslink – You recently purchased some land of your own
Nathan – Katie and I have brought 35 acres not far from Ben and Karen's.
At the moment it has only got a track on it but plans are underway to eventually move the training operation there.
One of the pluses will be an ability to take a few more horses than I can at present.
Harnesslink – We see you are a committee member of the Invercargill Harness Racing Club
Nathan – I am keen to get involved and help in any way I can.
The industry down here has given me so many opportunities so its good to give something back.
Harnesslink – How do you see the future for harness racing in Southland
Nathan – The HRNZ proposals for change have been grabbed with both hands down here.
Maybe not in the way they envisaged but the clubs are looking at major changes about how we operate which will really lift the industry down here.
There is a very positive atttitude to the changes within the industry which gives you some confidence for the future.
Harnesslink – No plans at any stage to move home in the future.
Nathan – No, I love it in Southland
I would say to any young trainer trying to get established in harness racing in New Zealand that they have a far better chance of succeeding in Southland than anywhere else in the country.
The locals are so supportive of young drivers and trainers which is not always the case further north.
Harnesslink would like to thank Nathan for taking the time to share with our readers how he has become the leading trainer in Southland and we wish him all the best for the future.
Harnesslink Media