Mark Delbridge has capped a memorable 12 months by being named the winner of the Provincial Trainer’s Premiership at Sunday’s Victorian Greyhound Awards.
This award recognises the trainer with the highest number of winners of full provincial stake money races conducted at Victorian tracks, with ‘Team Delbridge’, consisting of Mark, wife Lisa and son Myles, topping the premiership, ahead of champion rivals Andrea Dailly and Jason Thompson.
“It’s a great honour,” said Delbridge.
In the period July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, Delbridge snared 304 provincial winners from 1574 starters at a 19.31% winning strike rate.
WATCH: Fortuna Bale (2) wins a heat of the Group 2 Ballarat Cup in December 2020.
The Balliang-based trainer finished ahead of ‘Team Dailly’, with 280 winners from 1636 runners, while Thompson prepared 152 winners from just 370 starters at an excellent 48.10%.
Delbridge was also a major factor ‘in town’ throughout the season, finishing third on the Metropolitan Trainer’s Premiership, with 60 city winners, behind Andrea Dailly (175 winners) and Jeff Britton (82 winners).
Delbridge’s standout performers were undoubtedly Zipping Rambo, which won the G1 Sandown Cup, and Christo Bale, winner of the G2 McKenna Memorial and G3 Speed Star.
Other prominent members of the Delbridge kennel, particularly on provincial tracks, include Fortuna Bale, a two-time G2 Ballarat Cup placegetter, Rilynn Bale, Man Absconded and Rocket Boy, which races in Lisa’s name.
1st – MARK DELBRIDGE – 304 winners
2nd – ANDREA DAILLY – 280 winners
3rd – JASON THOMPSON – 152 winners
“Zipping Rambo would have to be the biggest highlight, winning the Sandown Cup, that’s the biggest race I’ve won in my career, as well as Christo Bale going back-to-back in the McKenna,” Delbridge said.
“The Melbourne Cup would be nice!” Mark added with a laugh, when asked about future ambitions.
With close to 100 greyhounds in work, training is a 24/7/365 ‘labour of love’ for the Delbridge family, with Mark saying success and a lifelong devotion to the sport is what keeps driving him.
“Winning races. I try to win every race but unfortunately it doesn’t happen!” he laughed.
“I don’t really know much else. I’ve been in greyhound racing for that long. I’ve been in dogs since I was 12 years old.”
The Mark Delbridge-trained Christo Bale defeats Zack Monelli in a heat of the 2020 Group 1 Sale Cup.
CRITERIA GUIDELINES
The Victorian Provincial Trainer’s Premiership is awarded to the person who trained the highest number of winners of full provincial stake money races conducted at Victorian country tracks during the racing year (1 July to 30 June).
