By Jordan Gerrans
After a short and sharp ‘crash course’ in training racehorses, Ipswich’s Jesse Townsend says he couldn’t have envisioned the success his small stable has achieved over the last year.
With a strong background as a farrier, riding trackwork and competing in rodeos, Townsend racked up his fifth winner since November of last year when Papal Wars landed the prize on his home deck late last week.
Stayer Papal Wars has been a work-in-progress for the young horseman but a move to the Bundamba facility has worked wonders for the chestnut gelding.
Since November of 2024, the 33-year-old has recorded victories with Papal Wars and two apiece with Crymenotears and Brechen.
“If I look back 12 months ago and saw I had as many winners as I have had now, I would have been pretty happy,” the ambitious young conditioner said.
“It is all about learning every day, learning something new and trying to keep the horses happy, fit and healthy so they will run well. I am just trying to build up the numbers and have a good crack at it.”
Townsend has only been licensed since the 2022-23 campaign.