Jeremy Young could finally step out of Mark Purdon’s shadow on New Year’s Eve, and if he does he will realise a lifetime dream for both himself and his late mentor and friend Bryan Newberry.
“I rode on the coat tails of Mark for many years when I worked for him. I tasted Group One victory on many occasions thanks to him and it felt great.
“Now I just want to have a taste of what it's like to have a Group One starter in my name. It's always been a dream to line a horse in an Auckland Cup or New Zealand Cup, and if it does happen I will be there to give the others a fright.
“If we are good enough to get in my fella can definitely upset a few,” Young said.
The Franklin trainer was referring to Brydon Ideal’s nomination for the Group One $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park on December 31.
Young said it would be an absolute honour to have Newberry’s yellow and purple colours line up in a Cup.
“I know Bryan has had some nice horses in his time including open class pacers Colonel Brydon, Brydon Delight and Rum Brydon, but this would be special to have Brydon Ideal line up in the big race.
“He was the last horse that Bryan had anything to do with. He enjoyed watching him race. It would be an honour for Bryan’s horse to make the final 15,” stressed Young who works a team of about 10 at Pukekohe.
Newberry passed away on April 20 of this year. Young trained five winners for him in his final season – the last of them being Brydon Ideal when he won a C3 to C7 pace at Alexandra Park on April 15. Newberry owned and bred the American Ideal gelding.
“The biggest thrill I got with Auckland Reactor was when Mark (Purdon) and I took him up close and personal to his fans, but I can honestly say that winning any race for Bryan was right up there with that Auckland Reactor experience simply because it made Bryan so happy – and he deserved to be happy in his final years,” Young said.
Auckland Reactor won the 2009 edition of the great race and Young remembers the great thrill he got when he was ‘Reactor’s’ strapper.
“They were great times I will never ever forget. I travelled all over with the champion and I’m grateful for my years with Mark. I learnt so much.
“But now is the time for me to come out of his shadow and have my own Group One starter. Brydon Ideal is eight now and this will be his last chance,” Young said.
“If he doesn’t line up this year I don’t think he ever will,” He added.
Brydon Ideal was one of 26 nominations for the Auckland Cup on December 31 when the nominations were released last Friday.
“He’s got to make the field yet but I couldn’t be more pleased with his first-up third for four months at Alexandra Park last Friday (November 26).
“For him to go 2:40.6 after just one trial gives me a lot of confidence. Sure he will be an outsider if he makes the field but the further they go the better it will suit him. All he needs is a hot pace,” said Young.
The 43-year-old Franklin horseman said he would not be frightened off by the big guns.
“I know some of Mark and Natalie (Rasmussen’s) horses are absolute freaks but there’s no point in lining up against them if you are going to be scared off.
“If I make the field I’m going into the race to at least place. If you go in being beaten that’s what will happen. Upsets can occur in racing and my fella won’t be outclassed as much as what the tote will say,” Young said.
"He's an underrated stayer," he added.
He said he would continue to campaign Brydon Ideal throughout December with the hope of making the final Auckland Cup field.
“I’ll be blown away if he makes it. Hopefully it will be new direction in my career. I started with just American Empress when I went out on my own.
“And she has now qualified for the Group One ($150,00 Alabar) Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final. That’s so satisfying, and to have two horses line up in Group One races on New Year’s Eve would be unbelievable,” Young said
Duane Ranger