Trainer's winner in final days before becoming a steward

Brad Waters - Friday September 22

Trainer Paul Maher had a winner at Pakenham on Thursday on one of his last days training before he embarks on an unusual career path.

Advertisement
The stewards' room will be Paul Maher's new office once he quits training.

Maher prepared Mag Wheels to win the opening race of the Pakenham meeting four days before he hands in his licence to take up a job as a racing steward in Tasmania.

Maher said he applied for the job with Tasracing in April before shifting most of his team to Victoria to finish his training career.

"It's going to be a big change on what I've been doing for the last 15 years but I'm looking forward to it," Maher told Racing Victoria.

"As I've got further down and stayed in the race for the job, I wanted to finish my career back here where I started training in Victoria.

"I started to move the team over not knowing whether I was going to be successful. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was successful so these are the last few days of my training career."

Maher said he started to look outside training as a career because of the time demands of the profession.

But he was happy to be staying in the racing industry.

"I've had it in the back of my mind for a while," Maher said.

"I just thought it might have been time, at this age, to start a new career even though it's going to be in the industry and it's something I'm going to enjoy and hopefully free me up with family."

Maher said he would transfer his Victoria-based horses to Kelvin Southey while Adrian Duggan will take over Maher's remaining Tasmanian horses.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.