By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
For the first 15 to 20 years of his life, Darrel Graham, was a footy player who never knew much about horses.
But he was always intrigued by the Rocklea Trotting Track situated across the road from Rocklea State Primary School.
But Graham wasn’t born into harness racing and at the time all he wanted to do was win titles for his Brothers St. Brendan’s Leagues Club.
And that he did. The above average half-back, who could have made a career out of rugby league, won six straight titles for his Club while he was in his teens.
But his curiosity got the better of him and before long, Graham was lured across the road.
“I wandered over and before long I was doing the trotting barriers on Saturdays and Sundays, but at the same time still attending Rocklea State Primary and then latterly St Thomas More College in Sunnybank.
“My parents were never involved in any form of racing, but they always insisted I get a degree or trade to fall back on, so I became a mechanic – and all the time becoming more involved in horses and less in footy,” Graham said.
Fast forward almost 40 years, and Graham now boasts four Group One training and driving victories, and is now one of Queensland’s best horsemen with 2,518 driving successes ($9.55m) and 2,745 ($13,07m) as a trainer.
The 54-year-old’s latest victory came at Redcliffe Paceway on Thursday (February 16) when he trained and drove 3-year-old Vincent filly, Jilliby Typhoon to win race six – the Knudsen Betta Home Living Mobile for the one-win pacers.
They paced the 1,780 event in 2:12.4 (mile rate 1:59.7), and won by a short half-head. Her sectionals were 30.9, 31, 29.3 and 29.6.
Jilliby Typhoon was dropping back in grade and for that reason opened up the $1.80 favourite. She is owned by her breeder, Shane Grice.
“She’s a nice filly who should win a few more races. Shane has actually got her up for Sale I think. Shane bought her mother – the 2014 Shadow Play mare Queen Zenobia at the Yearling Sales and bred this filly from her. Queen Zenobia won three races for us in 2017 and 2018.
Graham works a team of 25 at Lanercost Lodge in Biddaddaba, and because of her inexperience and potential, he believed she still has some way to catch up on stable stars, Tiz A Sizzler (13 wins and $83,187); the 2022 Interdominion finalist, Majestic Harry (11 wins and $129,219); and the promising 2-year-old son of Art Major – Dragon.
‘We’ve got quite a nice team. My daughter Brittany helps out in the mornings, and I’ve also got five other staff who all help make the stable tick. I’m grateful to everyone involved.
“None more so than my wife Linda, who despite having another job three days a week, still manages to do all of our accounts and keep the Lanercost Lodge running smoothly behind the scenes,” Graham said.
The Grahams moved to their newly named Lanercost Lodge in Biddaddaba 12 months ago after 25 years being based at Fernvale. Biddaddaba has a population of 171, and is 75km south of Brisbane, and 45km west of the Gold Coast.
Graham named his Lodge after the best horse he has trained – the 2006 Courage Under Fire gelding, Lanercost (1:52.5 and $509,121).
“He won 30 of his 45 starts, including the 2010 Australian Derby, the 2011 Chariots Of Fire, and the 2010 Tasmanian Derby. He was a special horse. He also won a Group Three (2013 4yo Championship) as well,” said Graham, who has also nailed numerous Group and Listed races to go with his four Group Ones.
“I remember I won three Group races in three or four weeks with him and Courageous Annie (NSW Oaks) back in 2011. The Australian Derby win is my most memorable win.
“I also enjoyed winning the Australian Young Drivers Championship and then representing both his country and State in New Zealand. I’ve really enjoyed my career.
“When Brittany was growing up, everyone knew her as my daughter. Now every tells me I’m Brittany’s Dad,” he joked.
Graham is enormously proud of his two daughters – Brittany and Stephanie.
“Stephanie now works on Hamilton Island doing different work and we all know Brittany is a presenter and journalist for Sky TV. I love them both very much because they have both matured into well mannered, quietly spoken humble women.
“I was especially proud of them both girls and “Harry’ in Victoria in December. I think they would be the first sister combination to train and drive an Interdominion finalist (fifth),” Graham said.
Even though Graham concentrated on being a mechanic early on, he was still able to drive his first winner aged 16 at Toowoomba.
“All wins a great, but I remember Lindon’s Hope winning in the mid-1980s. I think that was one of many things early on that fueled my fire for the sport,” Graham said.
While working on cars and trucks, Graham managed to set up a stable working six to eight horses.
Graham trained 90 and then 100 winners when Racing Queensland records started with him in the 2000-2001 season. He said Graeme Bowyer and then latter John McMullen Senior helped launch his career.
Graham said he had many memorable moments at Redcliffe Paceway over the years.
“The track is a leveler, but a lesser class of horse can do well there, unlike some other tracks. In saying that not every horse can adjust to it, but I’ve always enjoyed training and driving my team there.
“The triangle-shaped track is not only unique to Australia, but anywhere in the world. But there’s real incentive to race there with the Q-bred scheme and the big money on offer for the Group races,” Graham said.
“I think the committee and staff do a good job there. Reg (Vidler), who does the saddle-cloth tracking, (and club treasurer) is a really nice man who makes everyone feel welcome, as do the Garrards and Eberts, and Bernie (Ring – Club President).
“The Sales are affordable and you can win a $100,000 Group One race plus others. I like it there,” he added.
