By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
The Purdon Racing era in Canterbury is over.
It’s been announced that the highly-successful operation will leave their state-of-the-art facilities in Rolleston and re-locate to the Pukekohe training centre in a barn formerly used by the now Canterbury-based Steven Reid.
With Mark Purdon now living in the Waikato son Nathan has been mulling over his future for some time..
He was unsure what to do after their 28 hectare property was sold some time ago. It will be used as part of a major new development in the area. The South Island’s biggest Pak N Save store is being built right next door.
Nathan admits the idea of moving north took some getting used to.
“Dad had suggested it before but I resisted it because the current setup suited me,” Nathan Purdon told the Purdon Racing website, “but when I was based in Auckland over Christmas with friends and family I began to have a change of heart and just before New Year we started having talks with the Auckland club.”
“I was a bit worried too that our local owners might resist a major change like that but I have been really surprised at their reaction. Nearly all of them have signed up to it.
The news will no doubt be welcomed up north.
“We should have about 25 horses heading north in May. It’s a great boost for us,” says Nathan Purdon.
The stable’s current stars include Don’t Stop Dreaming, Oscar Bonavena, and Chase A Dream.
Mark Purdon moved south from Auckland in 2000 to Yaldhurst initially before setting up the current stables at Rolleston. He has had extraordinary success with the then All Stars operation, winning 14 training premierships either on his own account and in partnership.
With 2626 career wins he is the country’s second most successful trainer ever, behind his brother Barry (2744).
Mark and Nathan have had 133 wins in partnership since May 2023.
Mark left Canterbury last year to move to Matamata. He has since scaled back his driving duties but is expected to have a more prominent role on race nights after the stable moves.
“Now it’s go I am really looking forward to the challenge,” Nathan said, “it will be quite different in some ways but great in others. We will still naturally be travelling south for major races when we have the horses to suit.”
“I have enjoyed it here and met some great people but it’s time to try something new.”
