Ballymore at Royal Randwick

Ballymore Stables is pleased to announce the acquisition of stables at Royal Randwick where a satellite stable will be run by Robbie Hewetson.

A horseman with years of experience in different facets of the racing world, Robbie – like Michael Moroney – spent several years working for the strong O’Sullivan stable in New Zealand.

A bloodstock advisor to Paul O’Sullivan and travelling with him on many occasions to Hong Kong, Robbie purchased for the stable the 2007 Hong Kong Derby winner Vital King.

With his interest in horses kicking off as a child at pony club, Robbie rode over the fences for several years before working with successful owner Ron Langsford who won the New Zealand Derby and Rosehill Guineas with Isle Of Man.

Gaining further experience with trainer Roger Hinton at Avondale, Robbie looks back fondly on those years – “he was a very good trainer and I learned a lot during my time with him.”

More education was gained with the O’Sullivan family, Robbie travelling to Sydney and Melbourne with high class horses such as the 1991 W.S Cox Plate winner Surfers Paradise.

Working with yearlings and as foreman for Andrew Scott and Lance O’Sullivan, Robbie was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to work for Ballymore in Sydney.

“When the job came up I jumped at it,” he enthused, adding that he sought the advice of Paul O’Sullivan who agreed that it was “a great opportunity.”

Arriving in Sydney last weekend, Robbie is pleased with the set-up at Randwick – “fantastic facilities” – and is looking forward to welcoming horses from Melbourne and New Zealand.

Michael Moroney meanwhile is excited about the opportunities presented by a Sydney stable.

“I like the way things are heading in New South Wales,” he said, adding that he hopes new owners will become involved with Ballymore.

“New South Wales is where the main breeders are based so hopefully we can attract new clientele.”

Michael is thrilled that Robbie accepted the position of running the Sydney stables – “I have known him for years and really feel that he is the right person for the job,” he said.

“He is a good horseman who is also able to liaise with owners and knows our system and the way we train as we have always had very similar methods to the O’Sullivans.”