The Purdon stable is making its exit from Canterbury after a sensational era of success and returning to its Auckland roots.
Nathan announced that an agreement has been reached for he and Mark to take over the Pukekohe barn formerly used by Steven Reid in a few months with about 25 horses being shipped to Auckland to be trained from then on.
“The response from our clients rather took me by surprise” Nathan said
We were expecting some local owners preferring to see their horses racing in the south but the takeup offer was much higher than we expected”
Until recently Nathan admits he had resisted a call to move north.
“Dad suggested it last year but I was against a shift at that stage. We had good owners and staff who were great to work with and starting over without that was not in the plan”
“But when I was in Auckland with the team and the family over Xmas I found I was feeling quite at home and when discussions came up just before the New Year’s Eve meeting I was more open to the idea”
The Purdon stable has set almost legendary training records since moving south soon after the turn of the century and then establishing the Rolleston property one of the finest training facilites in the harness racing world. But as times and circumstances have changed so have the priorities.The stable closed for a time during the Covid era and Natalie retired as an official trainer. Then Mark trained in partnership with Hayden Cullen before Nathan assumed that role after wide experience on both sides of the Tasman.
The Rolleston property which has been under an option deal for some years and has limited time left to be a training centre, may also undergo a transformation in the foreseeable future.
The plan is a boost for northern harness with several elite performers in the stable adding depth to northern fields.
Nathan’s brother Michael is one who has decided to remain in the south.
While acknowledging the challenges of such a major shift and the likely numbers of staff with ties to Canterbury who will not transfer north,Nathan is excited about the future.
“Now its done and particularly because of the support we have had from our patrons, I am really looking forward to it”
“I am sure the staff remaining will have no lack of suitable work offers. We have had great staff over many years and they have played a key role in our success”
He expects the stable to be up and running by June 1 with the horses moving north in May.