Turnbull family dominate the classics

8 March 2023

In 2002, legendary Bathurst horseman Steve Turnbull realised his biggest moment in harness racing when his pacer Smooth Satin captured the Interdominion Grand Final at the iconic Harold Park Paceway.

The home state win was one of the most popular victories ever seen in a feature race in Sydney.

Just like his father (AD) Tony Turnbull had done in the 70’s with his champion pacer Hondo Grattan, Steve quickly escalated from a prominent country trainer to a regular on the Grand Circuit.

Fast forward two decades and Turnbull continues to be involved in Group 1 races but prefers to leave the driving duties to his talented children.

Steve brought up his seventh Group 1 feature twelve days ago when Windy Hill Tara claimed the John Gibson Memorial NSW Oaks at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

His daughter Amanda drove the perfect race to land Windy Hill Tara home first and yet again it proved Steve’s undeniable ability as a trainer as he took the filly from a lowly assessed and lightly raced country performer to winning one of Australia’s most sort after classic races.

The Turnbull family continued their good fortune on Saturday night when Steve and Jenny’s eldest son Nathan took out the $200,000 Slingsby Holdings NSW Derby with his stable star Bettor Be The Best.

For Nathan and his quality colt, it was their second success in a Group 1 race as last year Better Be The Best took out the Blue Final of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge as a two year old.

Turnbull has managed Bettor Be The Best’s racing perfectly as from just thirteen race starts he has won nine of them.

The colt who was recently named New South Wales’ Two-Year-Old of the Year for last season was purchased from the 2021 Bathurst Gold Crown sale by his owner Chris Buttigieg for $17,500, a bargain buy given that his stakes earnings has now surpassed $240,000.

“He is our dream horse,” said Nathan.

“My family and I love him and so do his owners. He has become an important part of our lives and the win on Saturday was very special.

“The way he fought back to win after being headed halfway down the straight proved just how good he is.”

Nathan has a relatively quiet night at Bathurst tonight with just three drives on a nine-race program.