Karen Zimmerman
Trish Dunell
Karen Zimmerman believes moving north to Byerley Park is the only option open to her if she is to remain a public trainer.
She has spent all of her career in the central districts, but said she and her husband Kelvin had been forced in recent times to look further afield if they were to continue in the industry.
"It's just become more and more difficult to syndicate horses in the CD and we just couldn't carry on the way we were," Zimmerman said.
"We either had to move north or find something else to do. It's going to be very tough leaving, but that's the way it is.
"We thought about moving two or three years ago and didn't and more recently we started thinking about it again and the new property offers more opportunities all round."
Zimmerman said she had approached Byerley Park principals Elias and Daniel Nakhle about the possibility of moving their operation north.
"They've been great and we've got 20 boxes and 20 paddocks so it's perfect for us. Toward the end of February, we'll be taking about half a dozen horses with us with more to come up later.
"We'll also be at Karaka and hopefully attracting some new clients."
Zimmerman began her career in her home town of Wanganui in the late 1980s when she enjoyed good success, particularly with the brothers Govicar and Paddy's Wish, who won 17 races between them with the former a Listed Wanganui Cup winner and Group placegetter.
She later moved to Levin and then to Otaki and her current winning tally stands at 498 with her highlights being Group One victories with Cinder Bella (Captain Cook Stakes, Kelt Capital Stakes), Rodin (Captain Cook Stakes) and Barinka (NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes). – NZ Racing Desk.
She has spent all of her career in the central districts, but said she and her husband Kelvin had been forced in recent times to look further afield if they were to continue in the industry.
"It's just become more and more difficult to syndicate horses in the CD and we just couldn't carry on the way we were," Zimmerman said.
"We either had to move north or find something else to do. It's going to be very tough leaving, but that's the way it is.
"We thought about moving two or three years ago and didn't and more recently we started thinking about it again and the new property offers more opportunities all round."
Zimmerman said she had approached Byerley Park principals Elias and Daniel Nakhle about the possibility of moving their operation north.
"They've been great and we've got 20 boxes and 20 paddocks so it's perfect for us. Toward the end of February, we'll be taking about half a dozen horses with us with more to come up later.
"We'll also be at Karaka and hopefully attracting some new clients."
Zimmerman began her career in her home town of Wanganui in the late 1980s when she enjoyed good success, particularly with the brothers Govicar and Paddy's Wish, who won 17 races between them with the former a Listed Wanganui Cup winner and Group placegetter.
She later moved to Levin and then to Otaki and her current winning tally stands at 498 with her highlights being Group One victories with Cinder Bella (Captain Cook Stakes, Kelt Capital Stakes), Rodin (Captain Cook Stakes) and Barinka (NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes). – NZ Racing Desk.