Redwood Mare Puts Trainer on the Board

Media Release - Monday August 7

Sarah Hurrell took out her trainer’s license to continue Half Of Nothing’s racing career, and the grey mare rewarded her efforts when recording her first training win at Hawera on Sunday.

Half Of Nothing winning at Hawera on Sunday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

“I was hopeful,” Hurrell said.

“Her first run back was okay and at Awapuni the track was way too heavy for her, so I decided to freshen her and head to Hawera. I was hopeful but I wasn’t expecting a win.

“The racing game is hard work, but I am stoked to get the win, I am really happy.”

A career with horses was always on the cards for Hurrell, who became hooked on racing after watching her mother ride track work in Christchurch as a child.

Hurrell followed the usual pathway with ponies and once old enough she followed her mother to the track and hasn’t looked back.

“I have been involved with horses since I could walk. My mum did a lot of track work, so I got the racing bug from her,” Hurrell said.

“I started with Paul Harris and then I went to Michael and Tasha Stokes and worked for them down in Christchurch.

“I moved up to Taupo eight years ago and then over to Taranaki where I now work for Gavin Sharrock.”

Domiciled in Stratford, Hurrell also rode work for local trainer Guy Smith where she became acquainted with Half Of Nothing.

The daughter of Redwood won two races before Smith decided to close his stable doors and Hurrell requested to take over the handling of the mare, with Smith remaining in the ownership.

Advertisement

“I have always had hopes for Half of Nothing and I wanted to keep racing her, so I decided to get my license and give it a go,” Hurrell said.

It hasn’t been plain sailing for the pair, with Half Of Nothing finishing toward the rear of the field in all three of her previous starts for Hurrell.

However, the Taranaki horsewoman was not deterred and pressed on, and was rewarded for her perseverance on Saturday.

Hurrell is now dreaming of bigger things with her three-win mare and is eyeing the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 7 with her charge.

“I have a race in-mind, the Breeders’ Stakes at Hawera, but I would like to win at least one more race with her to get a start,” she said.

Hurrell is enjoying working her team of one around her commitments as a mum and working for Sharrock.

“I am happy with the way things are. I have got two kids, so I don’t want to get a lot bigger,” she said.

“Gavin Sharrock has got a few horses to come back in and that keeps me busy, so one is enough at the moment.

“Soldier Boy is working really well and I rate Stipulator quite highly. I have high hopes for both of them.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.