Costs mount as Peter Moody shuts down his stables

THE ripple effect of Peter Moody’s six-month suspension for cobalt use is already sparking massive ramifications in the horse racing industry.

Retiring horse trainer Peter Moody, trainer of the great Black Caviar holds an auction to sell everything at his stables in Caulfield. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

THE ripple effect of Peter Moody’s six-month suspension for cobalt use is already sparking massive ramifications in the horse racing industry.

Albury trainer Brett Cavanough, who broke in champion mare Black Caviar, has been forced to retrench 12 of his staff and close a 30-horse barn which he leased to house horses he pre-trained for Moody.

Moody, who employed 55 stable staff, had 100 horses in work at his Caulfield stables and another 200 on his books.

He consistently had up to 100 horses in pre-training with Cavanough, David Brideoake at Mornington and Julien Welsh at Pakenham South.

The ramifications of the suspension are being felt by an assortment of industry suppliers and workers, including farriers, veterinarians and feed merchants, who were involved in the Caulfield trainer’s multimillion-dollar business.

Cavanough said Moody Racing was a $750,000 business to him each year, with about $500,000 ­absorbed in costs and wages.

“He has obviously been my core business — training horses has been a hobby for me and I’m lucky we have had plenty of success and a lot of owners in Albury,” he said.

Cavanough said Welsh and Brideoake would vouch that a monthly bill of $60,000 to $80,000 was paid immediately by Moody and gave them all AAA credit ratings.

He was emotional on Wednesday when he had to turn his workers away from his gate.

While Cavanough said many believe people who have lost their jobs from Moody’s suspension would find work, the industry could soak up the horses but not all the workers.

Brett Cavanough has had to retrench staff after losing Peter Moody’s business. Picture: Jenny Evans

“In Albury, no one has more than one staff (member) — I have a dozen going out the gate and they probably just can’t walk into a job,” he said. “It’s not going to kill me but I’ve got a pain in the guts, I can tell you, and it’s just getting your head around it.”

Welsh, one of the state’s leading breakers, said there would be an effect on his business after the breaking season.

He said efficient payment from Moody Racing, and other clients, allowed his business to run smoothly and efficiently.

Brideoake said there would be an adjustment to his business, but the recent success of his horses, including Group 1 winner Griante, had attracted more horses to his stables.

Everything from bridles to rugs were sold at Wednesday’s auction. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“It is making a few of us ­readjust because he has had such a big impact on everyone,” he said.

Ciaron Maher will employ several of Moody’s staff, but Moody said the sad thing was his suspension not only affected his family and staff, but other people and their staff.

“Unfortunately, the downside of this is that it doesn’t ­affect Peter Moody, it probably affects 200 people,” he said.

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