EXCLUSIVE: He might still be on racing's outer but some of Australia's leading owners and trainers are using flawed genius Darren Weir to prep their horses.
Weir talks on the record for the first time: "Hopefully it’s got to come to an end sometime soon"
With respect for the Salisbury family and
@VEGequine
- I am confirming that the much loved Subzero “Subbie” has been humanely put down today (aged nearly 32) due to heart failure. Full story
@RacenetTweets
shortly.
This has been a very tough day. I as a mate and we in the industry mourn the passing of an iconic man in Graham Salisbury. Please go here to read, share, care and understand the impact he and
@subzerohorse
have had and hopefully will.
For all the
@subzerohorse
fans, quick update, he’s been over to
@VEGequine
this week for a check up and a pedicure - in great health the 31-year-old legend and back to see Graham and Salisbury family tomorrow. Graham doing well in chemo treatment too but keen to get on road!
Brian Cox didn’t deserve to die like this - serving out his suspension - driving trucks while his wife battled cancer. 11 time Wodonga Cup winning trainer - legendary family and brilliant horseman.
Talk about Xmas and better New Year wishes - for fans of
@subzerohorse
I can happily report my mate Graham Salisbury has been given positive blood and scan reports after 8 months of draining cancer chemo. Focussed on getting Subbie back to the people and Norsika to
@picnicracing
It's over!
Legal parties for
@kategoodrich
@RacingVictoria
@KilmoreRC
reach agreement to end decade long disputes after Supreme Court directions to mediation.
Financial settlement and NDA.
"It's a chapter closed. I haven't lost, but I feel I can now move on." - Goodrich.
There will be a tribute to our friend Graham Salisbury at
@MelbRacingClub
today with jockeys forming a guard of honour and Damien Oliver laying a wreath in memory. It will be on
@Racing
11.25am. A minutes silence and Jockeys nationally wear black armbands. Thanks
@JockeysAssoc
Fantastic news from Aust Jockeys Association donating significant 5 five figure amount to assist Salisbury family and Subbie - confirmed last Thursday before his passing Sat. “What he did for the industry and what he received in return were poles apart.” AJA ceo Martin Talty rac
A bloke and his horse
@subzerohorse
walk into a bar. No big deal - Graham and Subbie did it plenty of times.
Graham’s Funeral to be held Monday 1pm Bendigo racecourse under Covid restrictions for family but plans in place for memorial service soon. Subbie will be there!
Update
@subzerohorse
from Graham: "The colic dehydrated him and brought on the kidney trouble. He's been on a drip and flushed his kidneys out".
Subbie will be at
@VEGequine
3 days. "They are pretty happy with him now, they know him backwards and have been remarkable."
No stable can survive without staff like
@maluaracing
Sarah Mollica, just 19, working 13 day fortnights, Mondays 3.30am starts then off to Ballarat (in a t-shirt), strapping 2 stable winners and home late just to do it all again tomorrow. That's our industry, indebted to Sarahs.
Subbie runs 4th in the
@MelbRacingClub
Blue Sapphire! Yes you read right -
@RacingInsider
is donating 4th prizemoney ($18k) from today's 3 horse field to the Salisbury family to honor the work of Graham Salisbury and
@subzerohorse
and help Anita and Nikki.
Chris Caserta became an uncle last week - but sadly will never see his nephew Leonardo. His grieving father remembers a popular son.
“To be totally honest with you, we don’t even have one photo of my son, without that smile,”
My
@RacenetTweets
column.
SUBBIE IS TURNING 30
As thanks to all who have supported Graham, the Salisbury family and Subbie, you are invited to special free birthday celebration. He loves carrots, cameras, pats!
Sun: July 29: 12-1pm
189 Heathcote-Ngambie Rd.
Register here: or DM me
So where is the industry recognition of champion jockey Damien Oliver’s 3000 wins on top of his unquestioned G1 record and all other achievements and links to mainstream media ? Yes rhetorical questions but shouldn’t be and he should embraced as the true superstar he is.
Racing has missed another important milestone. through bereft record keeping - Damien Oliver had ridden his 3000th winner - Melba Storm Ballarat Feb 28 (now 3005) - thanks to wife Trish Oliver's record keeping check.
@RandSRacing
has 3007,
@Racing
2625. "I knew it was coming up!"
Not sure where all the fatuous commentary is taking racing right now and when direction/leadership steps in - but just saying
@subzerohorse
celebrates his 30th birthday Sunday and continues still to spread the good word longer, wider, broader and better than any!
#celebrateSubbie
So it's another - but actual Happy Birthday -
@subzerohorse
born 31 years, yes 31 years ago today to mum Wiley Trade, bought to win
@mmsnippets
lands a Melbourne Cup then adored by fans around the world, school kids to people in aged care and so many more!
#morecarrots
#legend
In the midst of a tough week take a deep human breath for those at Forest Lodge at the passing this morning of their long time friend and mate “Gnome” Greg Reynolds after a short illness.
A big thought for Graham Salisbury as he needs to sharply recommence his cancer battle immediately after dealing with broken pelvis and hip. Still stuck in hospital and
@subzerohorse
waiting at home for him!
#notagoodpatient
#misseshismate
It has been a near 10 year challenge on so many fronts (mental health/suicidal thoughts/$ - just some) for
@kategoodrich
but she finally gets all she wanted - a day in court starting tomorrow.
(& Ors = Racing Victoria).
Now it’s to merit of legal arguments.
Well that is something - well done - tops $1m and forever rising as
@sportsbetcomau
tip in two $50k lots on top of all Dean’s fans (3 anon @ &50k and Eddie Hirsch
@Woodside_Park
same $100k to come
@RacingVictoria
) after Tony Ottobre got it rolling. 👏👏
"There are many times I have wanted to be gone, but now I have a future, I can see a future, I have my farm and my horses, so I can see it does get better."
Looking back at the week in court for
@kategoodrich
and battle to get there and through it.
Once Darren Weir has done the "time" for an inexcusable "crime" - what's next?
Some matters - hopefully balanced for consideration - my
@RacenetTweets
column.
Weir is some character, a sum of all his parts, yet reluctant to share many of them.
When Makybe Diva was a maiden and simply “Make Be Diva” and with David Hall and
@vjhallracing
as jockey: Wangaratta August 2002
2nd retired a maiden, 3rd sent to Qld to win one and ended up Central NSW, 4th retired 19 start maiden but no doubt “High rating race”.
Caller?
Today's
@subzerohorse
update Graham: "I took him out for a walk and a pick, he wasn't real interested in either but he's alright, he's holding his own. What we want to see is eating more and pass manure but there's nothing life threatening, there's no miracles but he's a fighter"
“All I wanted to do was be with horses, but I don’t know how many times through all this that I thought I was done."
The human side to a near on decade fight for justice. The
@kategoodrich
story in my
@RacenetTweets
column this week.
Respect for riders Jye McNeil, Dan Stackhouse, Ben Allen, Liam Riordan, Lachie King missing Ballarat today to take extra time to grieve the loss of their mate Dean Holland.
So
@DKWeirRacing
is currently facing his career and personal fate before
@RVStewards
- rightly so given the show cause allegations. But this was him this morning at Terang preparing horses as the horseman he is that were possibly about to leave him.
“Peter Vlandys has done a great job for racing - while money is important so to is tradition” says Alan Jones at Carbine Club.
“There are 365 days a year, it ought to be possible to organise a $10m race in Sydney that doesn’t correspond with with great Victoria Derby.”
When Olivia Newton-John opened her Cancer Wellness And Research Centre - she wanted Subbie there!
“What a smile he brought to my face and he so delighted the many guests and patients that day. What an honour to have such a regal visitor”.
#OliviaNewtonJohn
I’ve met a lot of people in racing - but rarely had more respect, fun, banter than with the legendary Jack Styring OAM, 92. Now get that toothpaste back into the tube Jack and put the persuader away - there are no flies now! To quote you: “It was an absolute pleasure!”
Bob Hawke - he who religiously carried The Sportsman to the track - when Beau Zam beat Bonecrusher and Dandy Andy - Canberra 1988 Queen Elizabeth Stakes before The Queen. Reckon Bob was on The Crusher.
Thanks to the tireless work
@VEGequine
for
@subzerohorse
update: “We are pleased to report that a repeat examination revealed continual improvement of his kidneys and resolution of the peritonitis. Hopefully with continued TLC he will have a lovely spring ahead of him.”
Here is a
@RacingVictoria
jumpout from Pakenham today - but a waste of time - no call, what horses, in what colors, back straight like ants - but we are told they are laser focussed on fans and customers and improvements always coming via
@Racing
- look forward to that!
A fitting final resting place - the Salisbury Subzero Memorial Rose Garden with unique white Subbie rose joining the
@FlemingtonVRC
roses. Visit tomorrow- touching tribute this morning.
Spare a thought for Graham Salisbury undergoing major surgery at the moment to remove a swollen (in remission) tumour pressing on his spinal chord causing great pain. Was in terrific spirits this morning with much support. And thinking of family and
@subzerohorse
#oldpic
Great news from Graham re
@subzerohorse
after taking him for a pick today at
@VEGequine
.
"They (Sarah) said give him another couple of days and then we can start thinking about taking him home.”
“So if he can beat anything so can I, I've got to be here to take care of him”. 🎂31
From
@CWilliamsJockey
re
@LaneDamian
winning today!
“to put it into perspective: the Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby) is Japan biggest race like the Melbourne Cup is to Australia.”
Add the fan favorite Arima Kinen (which opened doors Lys Gracieux)!
👏👏
Yes much to look forward at
@MaluaRacing
with
Troy and Leon looking at the next level. Get with the Malua family and I am delighted to be part of the team.
MALUA’S NEW RACING MANAGER We are thrilled to announce that Bruce Clark has joined our team as racing manager. Bruce brings a wealth of not only media experience, but industry knowledge and relationships that we believe can underpin our bright and bold vision for the future!
This is 91 year old Kath Metherall - dual
@RoyalMelbShow
Garryowen winner who wanted to meet
@subzerohorse
on his 30th birthday. Son Ian wrote: “Kath said tonight she would sleep well with wonderful thoughts from a wonderful day in her life! A privilege”
See - nothing to it - when you are The Goat.
Sports rarely run to script - but it seems you couldn’t have even scripted a day like this.
Makybe Diva? Warne/McGrath/Langer Sydney test. Shane Crawford/Glenn Lazarus premierships in career swansongs but Ollie - no that will do! 👏🙏🏼
Good luck
@kategoodrich
tonight “Turf Wars” after Supreme Court Appeal win today RV and upcoming civil case. “If I’d lost id have lost everything, everything was on the line. I just feel as though this has cost me a massive part of my life but I want the truth and accountability”
A few war wounds here - stitches, bandages - but looking good say stable vets from
@aus_turf_club
Golden Eagle run for Amelia’s Jewel so basically all ok and heading home to
@amelia_racing
for rest and recovery and bring on early spring Melbourne!
"That’s the distance marker (yes, it is still there), it dates back to the time of King Charles II, that horse’s that couldn’t go the “distance’ were disqualified."
Sadly, Dean now has no distance left to run. For us, we must keep striving for the line.
Terrific recognition from
@RacingAust
with Graham Salisbury and
@subzerohorse
to be honoured Australian Racing Hall Of Fame “Spirit Of Racing” Award Friday.
So
@subzerohorse
is home in his Heathcote paddock with Graham and family: “he’s getting around like a two year old - he’s had a drink and loving it! He’s found more than a length - now I have to get myself right!” (More tests Mon/Tues)
My
@RacenetTweets
exclusive as published in
@theheraldsun
@dailytelegraph
@couriermail
as Darren Weir goes on record for first time in five years as key industry players support his care with their horses.
“I can make a good living out of this, but there is just no excitment.”
Graham Salisbury and
@subzerohorse
"He's like a son to me.....I said I was going to make him a people's horse and that's what I've done....it still get's me...there will never be another Subbie." - There will never be another Graham.
Subzero taking a bow at a past Magic Millions Raceday at the Gold Coast.
This January we will be running the $1 million Magic Millions Subzero (2400m) in his honour. Former GC Yearling graduate who was a champion on and off the track.
Read more here:
That will do will for best
@SkyRacingAU
post race interview with the timeless Frankie Edwards
@CNSJockeyClub
- looks after punters first then reveals the secret to his life success!!
So hello to Billie Holdinghausen - a first for Grandpa “Snowy” - and one day (very) soon I look forward to being able to meet you! So proud of Gabi and Zio.
What’s wrong with 54 career wins? 54!!!!
No horse in modern Australian history has got anywhere close - well done Fab’s Cowboy! Some journey, some story!
Ok
@vicbreeders
or stallion owners - we need a donated service for Graham’s 6 time winning Henrythenavigator mare NORSIKA so we can get colt (preferred) to race as “Graham’s Hope” and carry the
@subzerohorse
colors in his memory. DM for ideas/offers.
Unbeaten on the track, forever in so many hearts, transcended racing.
#RIPNellie
Persian Caviar (unraced Written Tycoon 3YO)
I Am Caviar (won 2/6)
Invincible Caviar (4/8)
Ready For Caviar (0/2)
Out Of Caviar (unraced)
Prince Of Caviar (1/6)
Oscietra (2/5)