Gary Clarke

Experienced Thoroughbred Trainer

Gary Clarke has been heavily involved in the horse racing industry all his life, with deep roots in Central Queensland where his father was a respected racehorse trainer. His passion for horses began at a young age, riding his first horse at just 8 years old. This early start paved the way for a successful career in the horse racing world.

Early Beginnings

Gary rode his first horse, Bonne Tout, whose foal later became his first winner as a jockey at the age of 16. In the mid-1970s, he earned pocket money by driving trotters in their track-work, a common practice at the time. After completing school, he embarked on his career as an apprentice jockey, initially training under his father before moving on to work with Ronnie MacRae in Central West Queensland. Along the way, he mastered the art of breaking in horses, learning from skilled stockmen and drovers.

Jockey Career

Due to weight restrictions, Gary rode mainly in Central Western Queensland, where the weight scale was slightly higher. He won 7 riding premierships during this time and had opportunities to ride in the city. One of his notable achievements was winning on Lord Penn at Eagle Farm, with the horse breaking the track record carrying 61kg.

Transition to Horse Training

In 1996, Gary moved to Darwin with his wife and continued his career as a jockey. In 2001, he obtained a dual licence and later retired as a jockey in 2007. As a jockey, he won every feature race in Darwin except for the Derby and Palmerston Sprint, narrowly missing the latter by a nose. He rode Star Bullet to victory in the Darwin Cup in 2000.

Training Success

Gary won his first trainers premiership in 2013 and has held the title ever since, with 2024 making it 11 years in a row as Darwin’s champion horse trainer. His best stayer, Lightinthenite, broke track records in the Chief Ministers and Darwin Cup, winning the latter by an impressive 9 lengths. His best sprinter, Handsome Tycoon, won the Pioneer Sprint in Alice Springs and the Palmerston Sprint in the same year. Other notable horses trained by Gary include Finke, Dream Face, Captain Punch, The Captain, and Zahspeed.

More recently, Gary Clarke has trained Dalziel Racing’s Patriotic King to several wins including him breaking the track record over 1100 meters.

Gary Clarke’s extensive experience and dedication to the racing industry have made him a prominent figure in Australian horse racing, renowned for his skill in horse training and his success on the track.