New Training Partnership at Ballymore Stables

A new training partnership is poised to take over the Ballymore Stables Matamata racing operation.

Chad Ormsby, the stable’s current managing trainer in partnership with stable proprietor and senior trainer Mike Moroney, will step down from his role next month and be succeeded by highly-regarded horsewoman Pam Gerard.

A very experienced and successful trainer over a number of years when based in Canterbury, Gerard has played a pivotal role as Senior Assistant Trainer at Te Akau Racing for more than five years since shifting north to Matamata.

This season she was repositioned to manage Te Akau’s South Island team and staff, from where she proved to be influential component following the Classic double success of last November with Risque and Xtravagant in the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Riccarton. Her overall input during that period saw 17 wins and 10 placings from 36 starters, including the two Group Ones referred to and another five stakes events.

Gerard has always harboured a desire to train in her own name again and Ormsby, who completed his jockey apprenticeship with her and her partner, former champion jumps jockey Tom Hazlett, was instrumental in facilitating the new training partnership.

“Chad is one of the finest young horsemen in the country and has established himself as an accomplished and promising trainer,” Mike Moroney said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank him for his efforts and input into Ballymore Stables since he came into the partnership in the 2011-12 season. He has played a key role in our operation, which during his time with Ballymore has produced 115 wins, including six at Group or Listed level for prizemoney just short of $2 million.”

“Our most notable achievement in partnership was training two additional winners of the Wellington Cup (Graphic and Mister Impatience), taking Ballymore’s tally in the time-honoured race to four.”

“It’s very important that we have young talented horsemen such as Chad in our industry and we know he will continue to succeed. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

Gerard has an impressive resume, having worked under leading trainers Peter and Dawn Williams for a number of years before traveling to Japan, where she was involved in the education of young horses for 12 months.

Upon returning home to Methven, Gerard purchased her own property where she trained on a small scale before the success of her operation and client base grew to a size that forced her to sell and invest in a larger property in Ashburton.

Gerard trained a total of 91 winners, 108 seconds and 147 thirds in her own right prior to moving north and commencing as assistant trainer with the very successful Te Akau operation in late 2011.

“Pam brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and horsemanship to the table and we are very excited to have secured her,” Moroney said.

“She will be assisted by my established senior New Zealand-based staff - Foreman Scott Magee, Racing Manager Nick Fairweather and our long-time Office Manager Dorothy Lennard, while Chad will remain at Ballymore during the handover period to ensure a smooth management transition.”

“I am confident that the experience and knowledge within our Matamata operation will ensure that this combination will be a formidable and successful one for our owners.”