News

Freedman steps aside but may gallop overseas

4th Aug 2011

Sydney Morning Herald - Patrick Bartley - Thursday, 4 August 2011 - Patrick Bartley

SPECULATION was rife yesterday that Lee Freedman's decision to step down as a trainer will be short-lived and that he is poised to open a stable in the northern hemisphere later this year.

While the Australian racing industry was understandably stunned by the 54-year-old's decision to stand down as principal from his Markdel training empire, it is believed that a lucrative offer to train in England or Dubai could prove more tempting.

In a remarkable career that has spanned three decades, Freedman rose to heights that had only previously been achieved by the likes of legends Tommy Smith, Colin Hayes and Bart Cummings.

The Herald understands that Freedman will begin to establish a training complex overseas at the end of the year.

It is also believed an offer to train in the northern hemisphere has been promoted by influential clients.

It would be a world first for the family that rewrote the record books during the 1980s and '90s. With brother Anthony controlling the Victorian operation and younger brother Michael now successfully training a vast team in Singapore, the emergence of Freedman in Europe or Dubai would make the outfit a truly global presence.

''I will be the assistant trainer. I am not retiring,'' Freedman said yesterday. ''If I wanted to retire I would have. I still have the passion. Horses are my first love but after a great deal of thought I have made this decision to allow me the time to reassess our business.''

In the past three years, Freedman's grip on Victorian racing has waned, with the emergence of the all powerful Peter Moody, whose stable has risen so quickly that the Caulfield-based trainer now commands many of the finest horses owners and breeders in Victoria have to offer.

The training environment in Victoria has become one of the most fierce and competitive in racing. While Moody has grabbed the limelight, the likes of Mark Kavanagh, Danny O'Brien and Mike Moroney have also added to the depth of trainers in Melbourne.

Freedman, with the aid of his brothers, took racing by storm when he arrived from Canberra in the early '80s.

The family's impact on Victorian racing was immediate. Major race victories came quickly, and their first stable at Flemington soon attracted new clients who were amazed by their strike rate and fresh approach to horse training.

''I am not satisfied with how things have been over the past few years, and the time is right for me to have a good look at every aspect of how we do business,'' Freedman said.

''Anthony has served a 25-year apprenticeship, and will bring great skill and a fresh approach to an ever-changing business. We feel this is the best way to rejuvenate the business.

''I am sure Anthony will be a great success, and I will derive a lot of pleasure from assisting him to achieve that.''

Anthony Freedman said he was very much looking forward to the challenge of leading the Markdel operation.

''I see this as a great opportunity and I'm really excited to be taking charge. Having Lee to assist me will be of a great benefit, and the owners we have discussed this with have been very supportive of our decision,'' he said.