Stable apprentice Holly Andrew and Itsallbelt combined to give Kevin Gray his 1000thwinner
Race Images Palmerston North
Kevin Gray picked the perfect stage on Thursday to produce the 1000th winner of his training career.
He joined an elite club when Itsallbelt, a Handsome Ransom mare he bred and races with his wife Kathleen, triumphed at Waverley where Gray successfully trained in partnership with son Stephen for many years.
He is also a former president of the club while Stephen is now a prominent trainer in Singapore.
These days based near Palmerston North, Master Belt, Daffodil and Legs have been among Gray's leading representatives since he was first licensed 36 years ago.
"I've had a lot of good horses over the years - too many to remember them all. I've had some great winners and trained for some great owners," he said.
His stables are named after the former top-class galloper Copper Belt, who was trained for him by the late Brian Deacon.
Gray has also guided the careers of numerous top apprentices including Lisa Allpress, Bruce Herd, Damon Smith, Hayden Tinsley, Kim Clapperton, Eddie Lamb, Paul Worthington and Holly Andrew, who rode Itsallbelt.
"I'm so proud of them all. The kids all come back to me and they respect me and what I've done for them," said Gray, who gives much of the credit for his success to his wife Kathleen.
He joined an elite club when Itsallbelt, a Handsome Ransom mare he bred and races with his wife Kathleen, triumphed at Waverley where Gray successfully trained in partnership with son Stephen for many years.
He is also a former president of the club while Stephen is now a prominent trainer in Singapore.
These days based near Palmerston North, Master Belt, Daffodil and Legs have been among Gray's leading representatives since he was first licensed 36 years ago.
"I've had a lot of good horses over the years - too many to remember them all. I've had some great winners and trained for some great owners," he said.
His stables are named after the former top-class galloper Copper Belt, who was trained for him by the late Brian Deacon.
Gray has also guided the careers of numerous top apprentices including Lisa Allpress, Bruce Herd, Damon Smith, Hayden Tinsley, Kim Clapperton, Eddie Lamb, Paul Worthington and Holly Andrew, who rode Itsallbelt.
"I'm so proud of them all. The kids all come back to me and they respect me and what I've done for them," said Gray, who gives much of the credit for his success to his wife Kathleen.