Racing trainer Damien Batters will reunite with Mr Money Bags on the Sunshine Coast

Racing punters can rejoice after one of Australia’s favourite horses will be based on the Sunshine Coast and reunite with rising Queensland trainer Damien Batters.

Sunshine Coast racing trainer Damien Batters is excited for the opportunity to reunite with fan favourite Mr Money Bags. Picture: Patrick Woods

One of Australia's favourite racehorses will be based on the Sunshine Coast when he reunites with up-and-coming Queensland trainer Damien Batters.

The move to link seven-year-old Mr Money Bags with the Valdora-based trainer means punters will have another quality choice as the pair aim to conquer next year’s Magic Millions Carnival.

Sired from Written Tycoon, Batters said the verdict to send Mr Money Bags to Queensland came about from a simple phone call.

“I was chatting with Darren Dance from Australian Thoroughbred and Bloodstock and he said they weren't sure what they were going to do with him,” he said.

“Given our history, I said if the owners were keen I’d be more than happy to take him on board, which we all then agreed that the change of environment, the way we train, the opposite way the races are run and my stable’s opportunity to keep on expanding are all positives.

“He’s a quality horse and on his day he is a stakes performing runner up here so we will have a lot of fun with him.”

One of Mr Money Bags most recent wins was through jockey Ethan Brown in the Efficient Trophy at Flemington Racecourse on December 12, 2020. Picture: Natasha Morello/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Batters said the shared relationship went back a long way.

“When I was down in Adelaide, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock sent me to the sales to buy a yearling,” he said.

“We ended up getting him for $25,000 and he then won his first three jump outs but kept coming back with shin soreness.

“I knew he wasn't going to be a two-year-old type but was adamant he was going to be a really nice three-year-old type and I said that to Darren.”

Sunshine Coast racing trainer Damien Batters has found some success with his up and coming stable.

Batters said the initial decision to move to Queensland was a tough one.

“I really hesitated with the idea of moving because I felt as if Mr Money Bags could really put me on the map as a trainer,” he said.

“I decided to move and he went to Melbourne where he won his third race start, has now won over $600,000 in prize money and was one of the first horses voted into the All Star Mile.”

Batters’ small stable holds just 14 horses but he already boasts 21 career wins to his name.

“He will be a great addition for us and everyone's really excited,” he said.

“The idea in mind is that we tackle the Gold Coast Magic Millions 1400m cup in January next year as we look forward to regenerating him back to his best.”