Episode 202: Gary Portelli (Part 2)

In part 2 Gary talks of stable favourites Single Bullet and Testashadow.

He tells the story of the $20,000 yearling who gave him victory in the Golden Slipper of 2017. He was thrilled to win for a large group of owners who’d been brought together by Darby Racing.

Gary tells some good stories about two members of the She Will Reign syndicate who added to the whole amazing story- one of them won a fortune on the punt, while the other bought a new fishing  boat which he called the “She Will Reign”. That boat met a bizarre fate.

The trainer talks of his Everest experience with She Will Reign and the mare’s subsequent sale to a Japanese breeder.

Gary speaks with affection of the remarkable veteran Marwin Gold who won 20 races for the stable. He reveals the old warrior’s current home.

He talks of his eleven year marriage to Kelly and her strong racing background. Kelly and Gary have an eight year old son Harper whose current interest in horses is far from obsessive.

Gary gives Kelly credit for getting him back on track when he “hit a flat spot” a few years ago.

This is a good yarn with a hard working Aussie horse lover who’s had a fantastic journey in an unforgiving business.