Clint Isdale overcomes intensive care to train first NZ winner

Clint Isdale
Former Australian jockey Clint Isdale has gone through the ringer in recent times, but triumphed with his first training success in New Zealand

TO say the win of Almarie in the Ruakaka Beach Front Motel Maiden at Ruakaka was a feel-good story would be a massive understatement.

Not only was the Clint Isdale-trained four-year-old purchased from an online thoroughbred sales website, but Isdale himself has gone through the trials and tribulations of the racing game.

Isdale is a former Australian jockey who finished up his time in the riding ranks in 2009 when kicking home Haylergal to win before becoming the assistant trainer to Bruce Marsh in Singapore.

He then worked for the likes of Chris Waller and Godolphin before moving to New Zealand with partner Gemma Hewetson, who shares in the ownership of Almarie.

Isdale wasn’t keen on simply riding track work so applied for a trainers license, but on his second day of life in New Zealand it was almost taken away from him.

The accomplished horseman was breaking in a juvenile which ran through a fence and Isdale was impaled by a pole – sending him into intensive care.

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“The second day we arrived here I was breaking in a horse and it ran through a fence and I was impaled by a pole,” Isdale told HorseBetting.com.au. “It went through my bowel intestine colon, just missing my heart.”

Isdale spent a lengthy spell at Waikato Hospital and the win of Almarie was credit to his perseverance in the racing game.

“I was in intensive care at Waikato for a long time so today’s been a culmination of hard work and tough times,” Isdale said.

With his serious injuries behind him, Isdale continues to build a handy team at Te Awamutu, which includes multiple cheap online purchases.

“We bought Almarie online and also bought 5 yearlings,” Isdale said about the $2875 purchase from Bloodstockauction.com.

“We have bought two others online – Bella Roccia who has been unlucky this time in figuring no worse then fifth in her last four starts.

“We paid $1000 for her and she has earned over $4000. We will continue to buy the right ones online.”

Almarie is a four-year-old by Alamosa and Isdale could be targetting another sprinting affair at Ruakaka.

“Not sure yet, probably a rating 65 1200m race back at Ruakaka,” he added.

Isdale couldn’t make it on track at Ruakaka, but partner Gemma Hewetson was on hand and the joy was evident.

“It’s great,” Hewetson said. “It’s a shame that Clinton couldn’t be here for this today, but he’s at home doing all of the work.

“We’ve got six horses in work at home and it’s just the two of us doing everything, so we take turns coming to the races.

“Last time he went along while I stayed home, so he said that I could go today. It means a lot to both of us.”

Isdale wanted to thank Mark Irwin and the Te Awamutu Racing Club for the opportunity to train on the track.

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