Annabel Neasham announces training partnership with Rob Archibald from new racing season

The start of the new racing season will be a new dawn for leading trainer Annabel Neasham who will officially now co-train with racing manager Rob Archibald.

Rob Archibald and Annabel Neasham at the 2022 Racing Awards. Picture: Ian Currie

Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald have formed a training partnership for the new racing season.

The couple gained official approval from Racing NSW on Tuesday for their training partnership to commence from the opening day of the 2024-25 season on Thursday.

Neasham has quickly emerged as one of the nation’s leading trainers since branching out on her own in August, 2020, preparing a winner with her very first starter, Commanding Missile at Scone.

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In four seasons, the Warwick Farm-based Neasham has trained a remarkable 468 winners including 10 at Group 1 level for stable earnings of more than $55 million.

She has prepared some of the nation’s best racehorses during this period including four-time Group 1 winner and $11.1 million earner Zaaki, Mo’unga, Lady Laguna, Sunshine In Paris, Bois D’Argent and Fawkner Park.

As her star rose into the stratosphere, Neasham expanded her training operation and opened interstate stables at Pakenham and Eagle Farm.

Archibald, a former professional polo player, had worked for trainers David Simcock and Hugo Palmer in the UK, then the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott stable and for Coolmore before joining Neasham Racing as racing manager.

They have successfully combined their personal and professional relationship before deciding to form a training partnership.

Rob Archibald will now train with Annabel Neasham from the new racing season. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Forming a partnership with Rob was the next logical step for our business,” Neasham said.

“As we continue to grow and operate across multiple states, Rob’s expertise will be crucial in maintaining a hands-on approach to training, as well as playing a fundamental role in managing our team of horses and staff.

“Rob has built an excellent rapport with our owners and is committed to achieving outstanding results for our clients.”

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Neasham and Archibald will have their first runners together at Hawkesbury and Cranbourne on Thursday.

“Annabel’s business has grown rapidly since she started and I think with stables in Melbourne and Brisbane as well, we can share the workload,’’ Archibald said.

“The role of a trainer has always been very demanding but there is so many different areas to focus on these days.

“With the business growing, Annabel and I started talking about this around Christmas time and thought it was a good time for this (training partnership) to happen.

“I’ve always wanted to train although I didn’t know where or when but deep down I have always had aspirations to train racehorses. My whole life has been around horses so this is a huge honour. Annabel and I are looking forward to what’s ahead for the business.”

Archibald said the couple are excited about launching their training partnership and are particularly optimistic about the stable’s big race chances in the coming spring carnival including outstanding mares, Lady Laguna, Sunshine In Paris and Amelia’s Jewel.

Lady Laguna is due to have a barrier trial on Friday while Sunshine In Paris and Amelia’s Jewel will be ready to trial later in August.

“They are extremely exciting mares that hopefully can win Group 1 races if things fall their way in spring,’’ Archibald said.

Originally published as Annabel Neasham announces training partnership with Rob Archibald from new racing season