Rodeo Champion Lands First Winner as Thoroughbred Trainer

Date: 29-Sep-2022

Thursday’s Lockyer Valley Turf Club meeting will hold a special spot in Ipswich trainer Jesse Townsend’s heart.

Townsend is a newcomer to the training caper having only had his training licence for two months. Today (Thursday) at Gatton he registered his first winner.

The young horseman put the saddle on Penny Stocks in today’s 1100 metres Maiden Handicap. It was just the fourth time Townsend had taken a horse to the races under his name.

Jockey Brendon Newport made full use of the inside gate to drive forward and lead on Penny Stocks. The four-year-old mare demonstrated a great deal of early speed to control proceedings before dashing strongly to win by just under a length. While Hoofprint ran on late for second, Penny Stocks never looked like losing.

Townsend was pleased to record his first winner as a trainer with a horse he only recently purchased from Albury trainer Mitchell Beer for a group of friends.

“We purchased her on Inglis,” Townsend said.

“We’ve had her for two to three months and we’ve just taken it steady. She was a bit of a handful when we got her but she’s improved out of sight.

“I’ve got a couple of good mates in her so I’m pretty happy with the win.”

The win also meant something to Newport who revealed he has played a significant role in the daughter of Capitalist’s career.

“She’s a nice horse that I have a lot of time for,” Newport said.

“I pre-trained her with Phil Bobic at Universal Stables so we’ve done a lot of work with her.

“She travelled nice albeit a bit keen at the start. She’s one of those mares that if you keep happy, she’ll give you everything she’s got.

“I’m really happy for Jesse. I’ve got a lot of time for him.

“He’s one of my mates so that makes this win more special.”

While Townsend may have just joined the training ranks, he is far from a novice when it comes to horses.

“I’ve ridden horses all my life,” Townsend said.

“I’ve done a few rodeos and what not.”

When Townsend says ‘a few rodeos’, he is being modest.

He’s a multiple-time National Rodeo Association Team Roping Heeler Champion and is currently leading the standings in the 2022 season.

Townsend said he was indebted to fellow Ipswich trainer John Hubbard and his wife Sue for kick starting his training career.

“I got a racehorse about six months ago which was with John and Sue Hubbard,” Townsend said.

“They helped me get my licence. My partner is always there helping so it makes it even better.”

Townsend will see how Penny Stocks pulls up after her breakthrough win before plotting a course for the mare. However, one thing is for sure it is onwards and upwards for the fledgling trainer.

By Craig Sheppard

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