One of my favourite parts of brissyraces.com.au is being able to interview and profile some up and coming trainers who are looking at building up their stables and getting new clients on board their team.
Bryan Dais is another trainer who has had a great grounding working with some extremely well regarded trainers over the years and is now looking at building his team. There are a lot of owners that enjoy having a closer relationship with their trainer that you get from some of these smaller set ups like Byran Dais has. I decided to interview Bryan to coincide with his website kicking off, and I am sure you will be impressed by his site too!
Gibbo: Hi Bryan, and thanks for taking the time to catch up with brissyraces.
Bryan: Hi Gibbo, it’s a pleasure
Gibbo: We should probably kick off by asking about where you grew up and how you got into the racing industry?
Bryan: I was born and raised in the small country town of Feilding, NZ. We lived across the road from the racecourse and when I was about 14 I got a job in the stables before and after school to earn some pocket money. It wasn’t long before I spent every spare minute I had there and eventually when I finished my final year of school I took on a fulltime job with Malcolm Smith.
Gibbo: Who are some of your mentors and bosses over the years?
Bryan: The most influential trainer to me that I worked for was Dave O’Sullivan. Dave O’Sullivan was the leading trainer in NZ during the time I spent there along with his son Paul and their planning and attention to detail was unbelievable.
Gibbo: Any pieces of advice from any of them that stick with you, or that you still use in your training?
Bryan: Yes patience, perseverance, surround yourself with people that have good skills and most importantly good communication with your owners.
Gibbo: I am interested to know what you feel is the best horse that you have had anything to do with in your time with those good stables?
Bryan: I would have say Surfers Paradise, he was an amazing little horse. He had a phenomenal record in his 3yo year including a NZ Derby and Rosehill Guineas and then as a 4yo his effort to run down Super Impose and Sydeston in the Cox Plate was something special but unfortunately he never recaptured that form after that Cox Plate victory which was probably testament to how hard he tried that day.
Gibbo: Is there a certain race that you would love to win? Or any group 1 would do?
Bryan: At the moment I would be wrapped to win a Saturday metro race, but I guess as I call myself a Queenslander now it would have to be the Stradbroke Hcp. But it would be a thrill to be competitive at any level during our winter carnival so hopefully we might have one good enough this year as I have a few nice 2yos in the stable.
Gibbo: Any hobbies or interests outside of racing?
Bryan: This industry doesn’t allow you much time for outside interests but I follow the NRL and try to get to a few games during the season. Other than that I just like to spend time with my Family.
Gibbo: If you were not a trainer what would you be doing?
Bryan: I think I would still be working with horses in some way or other.
Gibbo: Where are you currently based? How many in the stable? What is your best horse in the stable?
Bryan: I train at Eagle Farm and at the moment I have 6 in work with the capacity to have up to 12. I have a couple of horses that have been consistent for the stable lately called White City and Happy To Win and I have a mare called Beggin who I think has a bright future, she ran some terrific races last prep without a lot of luck. She has just come back from a break and should be back racing around January.
Gibbo: Congrats on the new website, it is very easy to look through and I am sure it will be great for business. If people wish to race a horse with you that would be the best way for them to get in contact with you?
Bryan: Thanks Gibbo. If anyone wants to look at the website its www.bryandaisracing.com.au all the contact details are there.
Gibbo: Thanks again mate. I know our members enjoy finding out more about some of our trainers and hopefully people join your stables as you build up in the coming years.
Bryan: Yeah it’s been a pleasure and I hope your members can win a few dollars if they are following the stable runners.
*I was originally put onto Bryan Dais through owners who have horses with him and were very happy with his service and communication. And after talking to him a few times since he is a very knowledgeable bloke who you could talk to all day if you are a racing lover! I wish him the best of luck and hopefully punters/owners will jump on his site every now and then and check how his team is going.
