The announcement last week of the formation of a training partnership between Gillian Heinrich and Renita Beaton at the Gold Coast is believed to have formalised the first all-female training partnership in the country.
Heinrich, of course, brings lifelong training experience to the partnership … who can forget her famous home town victory when Military Rose saluted in the 2010 Magic Millions Classic … and she will undoubtedly continue to provide important, measured input into the stable operation, while Beaton brings her own substantial background of horsemanship and stable experience into play … making it a really nice blend of expertise, youth and experience which is likely to energize the new stable.
As she told Racenet, Heinrich is realistic about how long she will stay on a trainer. “The aim of it is to train on for a couple of years and then walk away, then it’s up to Renita,” said Heinrich who added that she will always stay involved in the racing scene.
Speaking to horseracingonly, Beaton shared the back story of how the partnership deal came about.
“It happened purely just off and a phone call … and a meeting,” explained Beaton. “Gillian phoned me and then we had a little meeting and a talk. It happened quickly.
“We only just became partners last week, so it’s obviously early days, but I think we are both going to balance each other out a bit in a really positive way.
“I am very excited,” continued Beaton. “Obviously, it is a wonderful opportunity for me. Like Gillian says, she is reaching the stage when she wants to step back a little bit and she needs someone to come in and help take the reins.
“She is a wonderful horsewoman and a wonderful person … and it is an honour to be beside here.”
Beaton is originally from New Zealand.
“I worked a lot with horses in New Zealand,” said Beaton. “From a young age … from nine years old … I was riding horses and then going to the races and strapping and things like that.
“I then moved to Brisbane in 2010 where I worked for Rob Heathcote for five-and-a-half years.’
“Then I went to Hong Kong and I was there riding (as a trackwork rider) for six years. I had a really good stint there working for David Ferraris. I rode for him the whole time.
“He was a really good boss and I learnt a lot in Hong Kong. It is obviously different how they train there, but you just pick up so much knowledge. It was a wonderful experience.
“Then I came back to Queensland and took out my own trainer’s license. I started at the Sunshine Coast and was there for seven or eight months … now I am back at the Gold Coast.
“I have been happy to move around and take the opportunities as they come … and this is a big one with Gillian, so I couldn’t be happier.”
*The Heinrich / Beaton stable sent out four runners on the first day in business last Wednesday at Doomben and came away with a second and two third place results. They then had eight runners at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday where they picked up another two runner-up finishes. They are knocking at the door.
