Toowoomba trainer Jake Capewell takes short break to support brother and Maroons forward Kurt in State of Origin decider

Toowoomba trainer Jake Capewell reflects fondly on a whirlwind week where he welcomed a newborn son, trained a double and his brother helped the Maroons square the Origin series.

Toowoomba trainer Jake Capewell has travelled to Sydney to watch his brother play in the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night.

A newborn child, a double at Roma and the mighty Maroons keeping the State of Origin series alive.

It was a sweet package in a joyful few days last month for Toowoomba trainer Jake Capewell, who has travelled to Sydney to watch his brother Kurt try to help Queensland win the series against NSW in the decider at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.

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Jake missed seeing Game 2 on a wet night in Perth on June 18 because his fiancee Jay was close to delivering a baby.

The couple introduced baby boy Tully to his three-year-old sister Rowie just two days after the epic Origin clash in which Kurt Capewell scored a 36th minute try before the Blues launched a gritty fightback that ultimately fell just short.

On the Saturday that week, just 24 hours after Tully came into the world, Jake celebrated a winning double at Roma with Rumbling Away and Maeve, both ridden by Chloe Lowe.

“We had a double out at Roma on the Saturday, the day after we had our baby which was also the week of Origin so that was a good high for us,” the 36-year-old Jake said.

He watched Rumbling Away finish third at Beaudesert in a Class 2 Handicap (1650m) on Tuesday before turning his attention to cheering on the Maroons, and younger brother Kurt.

Jake and his brothers Liam, Kurt and Sam developed a love of horses during their childhood in Charleville, with all four siblings representing Queensland in polocrosse.

Jake Capewell and his fiancee Jay, who gave birth to boy Tully last month.

They also loved their rugby league, although only Kurt went on to play at the elite level, making 171 first-grade appearances (and counting) for Cronulla, Penrith, Brisbane and the New Zealand Warriors.

“I did a couple of years at the Burleigh Bears (in the Queensland Cup competition),” Jake said.

“I lack a bit of size and probably a fair bit of ability compared to the other three boys.

“I made the decision after a few injuries that it was a short-lived dream and I could be better helping elsewhere.”

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In 2012, Jake went to Albury to work under NSW country horseman Brett Cavanough and the new dream to become a trainer reached its embryonic stage.

“I thought I might be a farrier at one stage and Brett’s a pretty good farrier himself,” said Jake, whose grandfather Tony Facey was also a thoroughbred trainer.

“He got me down there to help break in horses and that was the start of how I got into the industry.

“We have anything from 60 to 80 horses in work at one time and generally about half-a-dozen race horses that we train ourselves.”

Kurt Capewell scores a try during game two of the State of Origin series between Queensland and NSW in Perth three weeks ago. Picture: Getty Images

Kurt Capewell, 31, was recalled to the Maroons side following its 18-6 loss to the Blues in Game 1, with coach Billy Slater putting faith in the Warriors backrower’s experience and leadership in big games.

A proud Jake is stoked for his little brother and can’t wait to support him among a sea of rabid Blues supporters in Sydney.

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“Six months in footy is a long time and it can only turn around pretty quickly,” he said about Kurt’s Origin recall.

“It’s a bit like horses – when they’re in form they can be hard to stop.”

Jake knows that Kurt will return the favour and support him in his endeavours as a trainer trying to climb the ladder in a tough industry.

“Kurt takes a big interest and he’s got some shares in a few horses that we train,” Jake said.

“He’s always pretty keen to keep an eye on the horses and he doesn’t mind a bet.”

Originally published as Toowoomba trainer Jake Capewell takes short break to support brother and Maroons forward Kurt in State of Origin decider