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Legendary Australian trainer, John O’Shea is known for his passion for racing and the creative effort he dives into when training his proteges. So, when one of his own secures an Everest Cup berth, no one is more determined than O’Shea. The legend speaks with Everest Diaries about the story of little-known Lost And Running who will be racing in The Everest (for slot holder TAB), about the way he would like to see the life in a yard change, for the better.
Q: What would it mean for you as an owner, to horse your horse perform on the biggest stage in the world for the first time?
A: It's very exciting to have a horse in The Everest. As a young man growing up (around the racing industry), that race everyone aspired to have a runner in was the Melbourne Cup. Today. it's difficult for Australian trainers to participate in it. I haven't yet had a horse in The Everest but as you know, it’s a race where if you've got a horse good enough, you can end up in it. It's extremely rewarding.
Q: How did Lost and Running come to you? How is doing after knee surgery?
A: The surgery was over twelve months ago so he’s fully recovered. I bought him as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale in 2018 for just A$40,000.
He’s a just delight. He’s just been a bit of a backroom horse. He’s been a wonderful horse to train with a great attitude. He is quite a big horse. He weighs 585 kilos. Still sort of growing and developing. thing by the time it's finished in growing I expect him to be around the 590 marks. you know, so. But he's a lovely horse to train and I look forward to seeing him at the stables every day.
Q: What would the next few months, leading up to The Everest look like for Lost And Running?
A: He will be racing in Sydney. He has four races lined up. The Shorts, The Premier followed by the Everest. Then he will be lining up for Prep runs in the Shorts and the premier stakes.
Q: Although there are few in the racing industry that don’t know about John O’Shea, please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
A: I grew up in a small town in North Queensland called Raven. Around the time I was 25 I came down to get some tuition with Gai Waterhouse for a short period of time. But I liked it so much that I never went home.
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Q: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
A: When I was a child my father raced many horses. I enjoyed going down to the races with my family in particular. We grew up in a family that watched football and went to races on Sunday.
Q: Which is your favourite racehorse and racecourse of all time? And why?
A: I enjoyed watching the Ascot racecourse as it has the best racing in the world.
In Australia, I like Randwick. But I really enjoyed Ascot. I was very taken by it and I love that whole week. I hope that I get the opportunity to go again.
Q: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry?
A: Annabel Neasham I recon.
Q: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
A: Well we still persist with this ridiculous concept of getting out of bed at three o'clock in the morning. It's about the welfare of your employees.
Q: What's the fourth race Lost and Running will run in after Everest later this year?
A: The Classique legend at Rosehill.
Q: Name of your favourite horse.
A: Might and Power.