By Christie DeBernardis
With the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale just days away, horsemen from across the country and even around the world are flocking to Saratoga Springs, including Australian trainer Michael Freedman. After spending several years working alongside brother and top Australian conditioner Lee Freedman, he spent eight years working in Singapore, where he became the top trainer. Freedman returned to Australia at the end of last year and has set up his barn in Sydney, but is visiting Saratoga for the first time this weekend.
Q: When did you arrive in the U.S., and will you be doing anything interesting that's not about racing while you're here?
A: “I got here [Wednesday]. I am currently in [New York City at the 9/11 Memorial] and I'm heading up to Saratoga [Friday] on the train. I'm going racing Saturday and to a cocktail party Saturday night, then the sale Monday and Tuesday and I go home Wednesday.”
Q: That's a quick turnaround. Why the long trip to America to come to this particular sale?
A: “I've heard a lot about the sale up here and I haven't been to a yearling sale in the States. This time of year, we are still gearing up back at home because it is at the back end of winter, so I thought it was a good time to come up and have a look. I've obviously heard a lot about the sale and Saratoga itself so I just came to see what it's all about.”
Q: What differences do you expect to find between our yearlings and those you see in Australia, and what types of horses might best suit your racing?
A: “Obviously the pedigrees are very different from what I'm accustomed to. I'll just be very curious to see what types of horses there are and what sort of pedigrees. Sprinter or miler type pedigrees would probably more suitable for Australia's conditions.”
Q: Will you be buying anything, or sitting on your hands? And if you're not buying, why?
A: “I'm probably just going to look this year to sort of get a feel for it because as I said I've never been to any sale in North America. It's a bit of a fact finding trip this trip to get an idea of what it is about. Though, you never know, trainers being trainers, you go to a yearling sale, sometimes you can't help yourself to buy one.”
Q: Should we be looking for you at another upcoming U.S. sale, or is this a one-time thing?
A: “It's an awkward time of year getting into September back home because we get busy with the racing season. I wouldn't rule it out completely, but it is probably unlikely I come back in September because things are getting busy at home.”
Q: What made you leave Singapore to go back to Australia?
A: “I did eight years there. My wife and I have triplets and they were getting to a stage where it was either sending them back to Australia to boarding school or come back ourselves with them. In general, I felt eight years was long enough for me in Asia. It was a fantastic experience and it was good to me. I am getting back into the Australian market and trying to reestablish myself there. That's basically what this year has been all about.”
Q: How big is your current stable?
A: “I have two stables. I'm moving to a new stable at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney and I've got 25 in work there. I've got another stable that just opened up outside of Sydney and I've got about 50 in work there.”
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