Even as they count down the days to what would be an historic victory if Western Empire wins the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic in Perth on Saturday, it has been announced that the current, all-conquering relationship between trainers Grant and Alana Williams and millionaire owner Bob Peters will change quite radically in 2022.
The Williams / Peters team would make it a clean sweep of R1 million Group 1 features for the summer in Western Australia after winning the Railway Stakes (with Western Empire) and the Winterbottom Stakes (with Graceful Girl) if they were to land the result on Saturday … to go with the stunning amount of success they have had since they joined forces in 2014.
A stable media release states: ‘From January 2022, Williams Racing will be refocusing their stable client structure to welcome the opportunity for new owners to be part of one of Australia’s most successful racing stables over the last decade.
‘Previously, the Williams Racing stable has predominantly trained for one client, Peters Investments, whose horses have enjoyed incredible and sustained success.
‘However, Grant and Alana now believe the time is right to change direction with their stable to allow a more diverse client base to enjoy the thrill of racing their horses under the Williams Racing banner.’
It is obviously a big decision to move away from training almost exclusively for Peters … but it is not the end of that relationship with both parties acknowledging that the Williams stable will still train some horses for Peters.
Certainly, the timing for such a decision is as good as it can be with the stable right on top of their game and the trainers’ credentials could not be of a higher order.
The second important item contained in the announcement was that the Williams training partnership will set up a satellite stable yard in Victoria … so it is branching out on more than just the ownership front.
‘As a part of Grant and Alana’s commitment to future success, Williams Racing will be opening a boutique Melbourne satellite stable to complement their Perth operation,’ the release said.
‘Having already had substantial experience and success racing horses in Victoria, they believe the opening of a Melbourne stable will allow their horses to maximise the opportunity to race and win at the elite level and give their horses their best opportunity to tap into the wonderful prizemoney racing horses in Victoria offers.’
Speaking on Perth’s TAB Radio, Peters said he was content with the arrangement and was happy to continue the newly defined relationship with the Williams stable.
He said the announcement was not unexpected given that Grant Williams had already approached Peters back in September to discuss the current arrangement. “He was looking for a different sort of style for his operation,” Peters told Perth’s TAB Radio.
“If that is what they want, I am happy,” said Peters. “I accept that.”
“Everyone has to make their own decisions and go forward and do what they think is right for them.”
So, while Saturday’s Kingston Town Classic won’t be the end of this glorious owner / trainer relationship, it might just rubber-stamp their years of achievement together in the finest possible manner as both parties prepare to move into the changing landscape of 2022.
