Racehorses

Nathan Tinkler loves a challenge and one of his goals when establishing Patinack Farm was to have a racing and breeding empire of the highest calibre.

Yes breeding and racing are two separate entities but at Patinack Farm we regard them as one and the same as each looks to support the other in achieving their goals. Our bloodstock intentions are not simply self-fulfilling, we believe in supporting the industry by selling commercially too.

Superb mares such as South Australian Oaks (G1) winner Small Minds is just one of many runners now offering their services for the breeding team. In return the racing stables get the chance to train high-quality two-year-olds that are tough and genuine, having negotiated their early days in the expansive paddocks within the Hunter Valley.

The rapid progression of Patinack Farm on the racetrack has seen numerous Stakes wins for the stable as the trademark blue, yellow and green racing silks fly the flag for the team.

The racing arm operates in three states led by head trainer John Thompson, but is not afraid to go further afield for success as Gathering proved when winning the Railway Stakes (G1) at Ascot, in Western Australia.

The first Group 1 winner was Casino Prince in the Chipping Norton stakes and since then Onemorenomore has taken out the Champagne Stakes (G1). While the great Linky Dink galloped away with the T.J. Smith Classic (G1).

The talented Trusting, who has been so consistent, has now won or been placed in nine Group races. He dominated the ATC Hill Stakes (G2) and the Chelmsford Stakes (G2) during the Spring Carnival in 2011 and has shown his trainer more improvement going into the Autumn. The beautifuly-bred stallion still shows a zest for racing, a great trait he can hopefully pass on to his progeny when he finally stands at stud.

Thompson has taken out countless stakes wins including the Adelaide Guineas, Doomben Slipper, Let’s Elope Stakes, The Epona Stakes, Randwick City Stakes (Canterbury Cup), Tulloch Stakes, Silver Shadow stakes, William Crockett Stakes and more. But with some mouth-watering breeding prospects available expect forthcoming runners to hit even greater heights

This season in particular has highlighted Thompson’s deft skills with the youngsters. He won the first juvenile race of the season – the Toowoomba Plate, with Crown of Coureuse. Gun filly, Hussousa (by leading first-season sire Husson) subsequently triumphed in the next two-year-old race on the calendar -  the Gimcrack Stakes. Before Real Stolle raided the Maribyrnong Plate (G3), Melbourne’s only two-year-old Group race in the Spring.

Team Hawkes have also contributed significantly by producing All Too Hard (by Casino Prince x Helsinge) in fantastic shape in a short period. By winning the Talindert Stakes on debut he has set up a mouth-watering season for everyone involved. And just importantly has highlighted the ability of Casino Prince as a Stallion.