Quick Questions – Getting to know trainer Marc Conners

Clarry Conners recently celebrated his 80th birthday and it is special to him that his son Marc and Mitchell are continuing on with a family tradition of training winners. We fired our Quick Questions at Marc…

Tell us a bit about your family involvement in racing.

I am a third generation trainer and have always lived at Warwick Farm. Now my son Mitchell has become the fourth generation.

What is your first racing memory?

Travelling to country tracks like Nowra, etc.

Who is your favourite horse and why?

Willaidow. He has been a special horse to the family and has worked his way through the grades to be an above average horse (the first stakes winner for the Marc & Mitchell Conners partnership).

Who is the best horse you’ve been involved with?

Mouawad. We never really saw the best of him, he was destined to be special horse.

And the best horse you have seen?

Winx.

Do you have any promising young horses for racing fans to look out for?

Penpel, she is a very promising filly.

Who is your ‘what if’ horse?

Mr Clangtastic. He won five of six starts one prep and started favourite in the Metropolitan, running fifth. He did tendon at his first run back and was never the same again.

What is one change/improvement you’d love to see in racing?

We need to look after our owners at the races better. Especially in NSW where the experience has dropped off since Covid. Most clubs have done away with the second, third and fourth stalls after the race – why? We need owners to see that they are appreciated and enjoy the moment. We are losing traditions through slackness and cost cutting by clubs.

Which horse currently racing would you love to train?

Autumn Glow.

What’s the funniest moment you’ve experienced in racing?

One day I had a odds-on favourite at Warwick Farm and as the horses left the enclosure one of our staff came into the enclosure and asked if we needed this lead bag that was left in the horse stall. We were able to quickly call the horse back after he’d just gone on to track. We put the lead bag on and the horse won (but did get a fine)… funny now but not at time!

What is your favourite racing moment/biggest thrill?

The Coolmore Classic with Camino Rose.

What is your favourite pastime outside of racing?

I enjoy going to the movies.

What is your favourite T.V show/movie/book?

Yellowstone / Equalizer / sales catalogues!

Best concert you’ve seen?

Pink.

What slogan summarizes your outlook on life?

Do the best job you can.

Favourite food?

Chinese and seafood.

Favourite racecourse?

Rosehill.