Annabel Neasham to Fly Solo

Media Release - Friday July 10

After playing an integral role in the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable’s interstate success, Annabel Neasham is applying for a trainer’s license to be based at Warwick Farm Racecourse for the 2020-21 racing season.

Annabel Neasham is taking up training in her own right

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for me,” Neasham said. “I’ve worked for Ciaron for nearly four years now, including the last two seasons in Sydney. It’s been a great experience and a real learning curve, and now I’m ready to crack on and go out on my own.

“Ciaron is right behind me and has been very supportive. He’s been a great boss and mentor, and I couldn’t have got to this point without him.”

Having arrived in Australia from the UK four years ago, Neasham began with Gai Waterhouse before joining the team with Ciaron Maher.

She has risen rapidly through the ranks of Maher’s stable, being placed at the helm of the Sydney branch of the operation when established in 2018.

“We had a good first season in Sydney, and then it really spiralled into this season,” Neasham said. “I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved in the early careers of some wonderful horses, particularly this season with the likes of Prague, Away Game and Holyfield.

“Running the stable up here has also given me a solid grounding in the business side of operations, which is incredibly valuable for me as I start my own training career.”

Advertisement

Neasham’s previous role has also familiarised her with the excellent facilities at Warwick Farm, and helped to establish client relationships.

“I feel right at home at Warwick Farm now,” she said. “It’s a great training facility, especially for younger horses. It’s what I know. For any young trainer it’s important to start out with what you know.

“The doors will be open, and I’ll try to target some nice tried horses plus work hard to identify quality young stock at the sales.”

In addition to her experience at the Maher-Eustace stable, Neasham also boasts an extensive grounding in eventing in the UK. In another demonstration of her riding and horsemanship skills, she won the famously gruelling Mongol Derby in 2018 – a ten-day race over 1000 kilometres, riding for 13 or 14 hours per day.

“It was amazing, and it was pretty surreal to win it,” she said.

“I did it with Adrian Corby, who’s Ciaron’s breaker and is a terrific horseman. “It was a hell of an experience. I wouldn’t want to do it again, but I’m glad I did it. I guess you could say I’ve ridden a Derby winner! Now it’s time to try to train a Derby winner.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.
Melbourne Cup Next for UK Raider Onesmoothoperator
Winner of the Group III Geelong Cup last year at his first Australian appearance, UK trained stayer Onesmoothoperator (USA) had not won a race since then but was back in the winning groove last night take out the $750,000 Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Early Return Home for Cogburn
Group I winning Not This Time son Cogburn (USA) will return to WinStar Farm in Kentucky earlier than planned after disappointing fertility results during his first Australian covering season at Widden Stud.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 24
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Magic Millions First Digital Sale - Opportunities Aplenty
Bidding is now open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale with opportunities across all levels of the market for prospective buyers.