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Rhys Mildon has pressed through the industry working under some of the best names in the thoroughbred industry. Following high school Rhys began working at Cambridge Stud for two seasons before his continuing interest in racing landed him a job for David Hayes at Lindsay Park for five years before heading to the UK to gain more experience. For the last fourteen, he has been working for Stephen Marsh where he currently works as an assistant trainer. We caught up with Rhys to chat all things racing, horses and life!
Rhys has been working for Stephen Marsh for the last fourteen years and for the new season beginning on the first of August he was appointed the assistant trainer. This is a role that Rhys has been playing for several years but pleased to be recognised in the role from the former foreman position. Whilst the roles are similar at their core, the main change has been taking on more one-on-one contact with owners and assisting Stephen with the day-to-day training of the horses and ensuring it runs smoothly if Stephen is away. Stephen has had a lot of influence on Rhys's training style which is extremely helpful that they both think along the same lines.
A typical day in the life of Rhys is starting at 4 am with a few others where he writes up with the work board that organizes all the horses in order and what work they're doing and who rides them and collects waste feed and sees how they have done overnight. From then until about 8 am they swim/walk/treadmill and work the horses and then clean up finishing between 9-10 am given there are no trials or races on. He might spend some time in the office organising and planning for the week ahead with Stephen before beginning again in the afternoon at 1:30 where the horses either go on the walker or swim before the day finally ends at 4:30 pm.
Being as consuming as racing is, Rhys finds him out by enjoying a good scotch or beer with mates or he joins his run club up to five times a week! He also has a (very cute!!) dog which Rhys loves to spend time with too.
One thing Rhys would like to see in the future of the industry is more extensive coverage of racing in New Zealand. Quite often coverage is limited and scarce at times. We would see a lot more engagement from viewers with pre and post-race coverage, better viewing on tv of the birdcage and more frequent and extensive punting conversations. It all drives engagement and turnover which is important factors in seeing the New Zealand racing dubstep continue to grow and do well.
Rhys’ greatest success has been his ownership and involvement of Belle Fascino. Races with Stephen, Rhys highlights the importance of what the mare taught him, in particular how a change of environment can help improve a horse in Belle Fascinos case she went on to win more races allowing Rhys to put some of the winnings towards a house deposit! She retired as a multiple Group Three winner having just over fifty starts for ten wins, seven seconds, five thirds and several minor placings racking up over $230,000 in stakes! A huge feat to achieve!
What gets Rhys out of his bed is his dog waiting for his breakfast… 3:35 am on the dot! But in all seriousness, happy and healthy horses provide Rhys with the greatest pleasure. When you put in all the work and you know you’ve done everything and they can succeed it brings great joy to get the result whether it’s a mid-week maiden or a group one. Especially for the owners who put a lot in including financially, it’s a great reward for them to see their horse succeed. Rhys credits their great team at Marsh Racing who are meticulous in detail and take pride in their work and horses. They created a great work environment which makes the job a little bit easier, but also Stephen and Rhys are proud of how the staff handles the racing with all of its highs and lows it provides.
The industry is in debt to Rhys and all of our participants. Rhys with his wealth of knowledge is a huge advantage to Marsh Racing and any stable or person. The tireless hours and the days that roll into each other don’t go unnoticed and nor it should. We are forever in debt to Rhys and the care, management and responsibility he provides to our racing industry and the stable and horses he works with.
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