By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The 15-year butcher – Chris Frisby – who never learnt to read or write, notched up his 570th training triumph at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday (July 4) – and as a result he has now amassed $4,333,743 in purses.
“It’s probably closer to 600 wins now, because records only go back to 1983 and I started out a lot earlier than that. In fact, I left Kelso High School pretty early in life, because I had trouble learning at school and as a result have been dyslexic all my life. It hasn’t been easy. I left school as soon as I could. That’s why Mum and Dad (Faye and Brian) insisted I get an apprenticeship straight from school,” said the 62-year-old Bathurst native, who has remarkably trained his team in Queensland for the last 42 Winters.
“My parents always had horses, but they insisted on me getting an apprenticeship when I left school – something to fall back on if the horses didn’t work out. So, I became a butcher and did that for 15 years. That way I didn’t have to sit any exams. I could learn the trade hands on – all the time working a horse or two. I worked for Tony and Steve Turnbull at the time. Jenny (Turnbull) is my sister,” the multiple Group One winning trainer added.
The Frisby trained and Nathan Dawson-driven Cougar Express proved way too good winning race nine – the Mazda Aspley 0-3 Win Pace, by an increasing 15.6 metres, with a 1:58.2. The 4-year-old Bettors Delight gelding lead all the way before gapping his eight opponents at the 300m. It was his second win in 25 starts (10 placings) and first from three attempts this season.
“I think he’s the most promising horse of the eight I’ve got racing up here this time. He’s a big, strong horse who does everything you ask of him, especially in trackwork. Nothing seems to be an effort for him. That was his quickest winning mile-rate on Thursday and he did it quite easily,” Frisby said.
Frisby, who trains out of Mudgeeraba and Tweed Head’s arrived in Queensland at the beginning of June and will head home at the end of October. He’s had two winners this campaign. The other being 5-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, Scruffy (Nathan Dawson) at ‘The Triangle’ on June 27. His racing team this trip comprises his two winners plus Millwood Brooklyn, Barrett, Uncle Miki, Our George Boston, Our Uncle Nev, and Judith Gwenda.
Uncle Miki (6), Scruffy (6), Judith Gwenda (10), and Our George Benson (6), will all line up in races 4,5,8 and 9 respectively at Albion Park on Tuesday. Dawson will drive the first three while Nathan Rothwell gets in behind Our George Benson.
“I’ve been coming up here in the Winter since the early 1980s. It’s just something my wife Judy and I have always done. Sure, the weather is nicer, but the racing up here has suited my horses. It’s just part of our lifestyle now.
“The last five years have been a bit lean, but I have brought some nice horses up here over the years. Obviously, Our Uncle Sam, Oaks winner Major Occasion, and Jenden Strike. Actually, one of the best horses I had early on was bred and owned by my parents. His name was Dinki Di, he was a 1998 Fake Left gelding, who won 25 races and more than $300,000,” Frisby said.
Frisby’s best year came in 2019-2020 when won 60 of his 278 starts. He also placed 73 times that season for $641,415. This season Frisby has recorded three wins from 24 starts (four placings).
Frisby biggest wins have been:
“Our Uncle Sam winning the Shirley Turnbull Memorial and Dinki Di winning the Bohemia Crystal were probably the two most special races of the big ones I’ve won. Every win is great, but when you do it for family it’s even better. I’ve wanted to drive and train winners since I was eight, and at 62 I’m still doing what I love,” Frisby said.
He said he was proud that many of both his and the Turnbull families had pursued harness racing careers.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my wife, Judy. She loves the horses too and has done ponies and Shows a lot over the years. My daughter Melissa isn’t really involved but my son Anthony drives (326 wins) and trains (20 wins). He won both of his Group Ones behind ‘Sam’. I’m very proud of that, as I am all my family,” Frisby said.
“I’m also enjoying watching my brother’s daughter, Olivia, driving (78 wins) and training (six wins),” he added.
He said as well as training and working in the meat industry, Frisby bought a stock feed shop in Bathurst from 1992-1995, and then bought it back and ran it from 1995 to 2000.
Frisby said he also had another reason why he liked frequenting the ‘Sunshin e State’ annually.
“It’s a close walk to the Kirra Beach Hotel,” joked the man with the familiar royal blue and yoke silks.
