New Mishani trainer Donna Stanbridge heads to Goondiwindi for first runners

Mishani man Mike Crooks has a new trainer and she is heading to Goondiwindi in the Queensland bush for her first runners on Saturday.

Donna Stanbridge, the new trainer for Mike Crooks' Mishani operation. Picture: Supplied by Donna Stanbridge

Meet the new Mishani trainer who grew up camping on the banks of the magnificent Murray River and dreaming of working at the Lindsay Park racing dynasty.

Donna Stanbridge achieved the Lindsay Park goal when she was just 16, spending time working for Lindsay Park in South Australia which was then under the helm of the late, great Peter Hayes.

Fast forward to 2024 and Stanbridge is emerging from the shadows to become the new head trainer for Mishani man Mike Crooks, taking over from Les Ross who is about to retire as he faces a prostate cancer battle.

More than 30 horses with the Mishani moniker have now been transferred into Stanbridge’s name and she will have her first runners as a trainer in Goondiwindi on Saturday.

Goondiwindi was the home of the legendary “Goondiwindi grey” Gunsynd and is located 350km southwest of Brisbane.

• Tips, rated prices for Grafton Cup Day plus Kembla: $14 value bet

“I hope I can kick off with a winner on Saturday and it’s good for me that it’s a low key start to things,” Stanbridge said.

“Mike (Crooks) and I talked about that, we are both low key and I thought I’d like to be under the radar a bit when I first started training. Mike and I get along pretty well and if we ever have an issue, we talk it out.

“I say my thing and he says his thing and we come to a conclusion. I’m feeling a bit of everything about starting as a trainer, excitement and nerves, and just hoping I can do it.”

• Why bushie knocked back $1m offer for his horse

Donna Stanbridge. Picture: Supplied by Donna Stanbridge.

• Brisbane Racing Club chief resigns

Stanbridge will be the new public face of Crooks’ Mishani operation, with Ross likely to have his last runner next week.

The mother-of-three has little racing heritage in her family other than a couple of uncles who worked in the harness racing industry.

But right from when she was a young girl, she knew she wanted to work in racing.

Working at Lindsay Park gave her all the tools she needed to be a success, rubbing shoulders with legendary gallopers such as two-time Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh.

• Cameron Happ’s Flemington tips for Saturday: $19 value play

“When I was a kid my thing was that I wanted to work at Lindsay Park because we used go camping at the Murray River and drive past Lindsay Park – I always said that I wanted to work there one day,” Stanbridge said.

“I started at Lindsay Park when I was 16, under Peter Hayes. I worked on the pre-training side of things and then went over to the racing side.

“And then when Peter passed away, Tony McEvoy took over so I worked under him for a while.”

• Racing lovebirds have fierce rivalry on the track

Owner Mike Crooks and retiring trainer Les Ross. Picture: Supplied.

• Snowdens collect more Bling with another Ramornie

After a time working for an uncle in harness racing, Stanbridge moved to Queensland to be a jockey.

She never rode a winner in a short-lived jockey career, but is set to have far more success with the Mishani band of horses.

“I initially came to Queensland as I wanted to try to be an apprentice jockey and the (riding) weights were a little bit higher up here.” Stanbridge said.

“I think I had about 40 rides and I didn't ride a winner, but I didn’t love being a jockey.

“I just wanted to give it a go. Then, a bit further on, I worked for Mike (Crooks) as a track rider for a few hours in the morning before my kids went to school.

“But one thing as led to another and I am excited about starting a career as a trainer.”

Originally published as New Mishani trainer Donna Stanbridge heads to Goondiwindi for first runners