TDN Q&A: Gai Waterhouse

Gai Waterhouse is unquestionably one of racing's most recognisable industry participants. Since taking over Tulloch Lodge from her father, T.J. Smith, in 1992, she has trained over 130 Group 1 winners. Gai has also been kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to share her insights on racing through a monthly column for the TDN. This month, the TDN's Gary King decided to sit down with The Lady Trainer for a Q&A.

TDN: Your father, T.J. Smith, was an incredible trainer and a legend of the Australian turf. What's the most important life lesson that you learned from him?

GW: T.J. was the best of the best and the most important things I learned from him were time and patience. It was an expression he used when training horses, and it's certainly not used enough these days. I certainly do.

TDN: Did you ever find it a daunting task trying to follow in his footsteps?

GW: I knew I would never do that because the mould was broken when they made him, and there'll never be another T.J. I was determined to never let him down. I wanted to make him happy by succeeding in an industry that he knew was so tough. I never had any doubt that I could train horses, I just wasn't sure how well.

TDN: Six Golden Slippers, seven Doncasters, the list goes on. You've won every major honour in Australia, and most of them multiple times. What's the one race around the world that you'd like to get your hands on?

GW: The Breeders' Cup Turf. I can only imagine what winning at the Breeders' Cup Carnival would be like. I went to Saratoga last year and the atmosphere was electric. I would love to win a Travers.

TDN: And I forgot to mention the Melbourne Cup. How special was winning that with Fiorente in 2013?

GW: Well, the Cup is the pinnacle of my racing career in Australia. The Cup is synonymous with Australian racing. We say in Australia that it's the race that stops a nation, and it most certainly does. Horses, trainers, owners and jockeys travel around the globe to come here and win this coveted two-mile race, so to achieve that was unbelievably satisfying.

TDN: You seem to have an endless amount of energy. From early morning trackwork, to racing and sales in the afternoon. What drives you on each day?

GW: I'm a great believer in having a little rest in the morning after trackwork, and I implore my staff to do the same. My R&R comes in the form of a massage. It doesn't always happen, but makes the day that much easier. I also like to get home at the end of an afternoon and just chill, not that you ever fully do in our business, but I try.

TDN: The admiration you have for Wesley Ward is frequently cited in your TDN columns. Do you pick the brain of any other trainer around the world?

GW: Many. Every time Rob and I travel we go to at least one of the leading trainers and spend some time with them whether it's England, Ireland, Japan or the U.S. But Wesley has an unusual approach and a remarkable ability with horses that I have not seen displayed in quite the same way with any other trainer. And he's cool to hang out with, too.

TDN: You must be proud of what your former assistant, Hugo Palmer, has achieved this year?

GW: Very much so. I knew when I met Hugo that he was a man on a mission and he would certainly be making great inroads and making his mark felt, but you don't really know until they take up the reins as a trainer. He has taken things that he's learned in Australia over to the UK, the best skills I can offer, and he's improved upon them. I'm very proud of having trained and worked with many bright, young stars.

TDN: There has been some major international investment in the Australian racing industry over recent years. This can only have positive implications for the future?

GW: The industry has become such a small world. With stallions shuttling over the past 25 years and mares being imported, we are getting some of the best bloodlines from the U.S., South America, Japan and Europe. Why wouldn't internationals invest?

TDN: And finally, you recently announced Adrian Bott as your co-trainer. What skills does Adrian bring to the table? I presume you won't be putting your feet up just yet?

GW: I'm privileged to be training with a young man as capable as Adrian. He comes with an open mind and he's prepared to listen and take on my training methods. He has a sensitivity and a wisdom beyond his years, and he has remarkable skills with people and horses. It is hard to find such a mixture in anyone. I am just so lucky he decided he wanted to be a trainer. Oh, and I hope to be training when I'm ninety!