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Rookie Gladstone trainer making big plans for his growing stable

24 November 2022

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By Jordan Gerrans

After an extensive history owning, breaking in and breeding thoroughbreds, the move into training made complete sense for Gladstone’s Sean Lennon.

The 36-year-old Lennon operates Boyne River Thoroughbreds at Calliope in Central Queensland, which stands stallion Defcon.

The painter by trade has recently transitioned into training in his own right as well as his other pursuits in the industry, taking maiden galloper Jaebeez Aldente to the races on two occasions.

The four-year-old gelding heads to the track for the third time under the Lennon banner this Friday afternoon at Mackay’s Ooralea facility.

While the emerging horseman does not have high hopes for the 10-start maiden galloper, Jaebeez Aldente will be a stepping stone for Lennon as his stable builds.

He also owns a handful of gallopers – mostly based on the Northern Rivers of NSW – that will eventually make their way to the Lennon barn in Gladstone.

Predictable Miss – who is accepted at Grafton on Sunday in an Open Handicap – and stable mate Toy Boy Roy are likely to soon head north following their stay with Shane Everson.

“I plan on filling the barn,” Lennon said of his six boxes.

“They should be here in a month or so hopefully.

“They are a good few horses.”

To run over 1560 metres on Friday afternoon at Mackay, Jaebeez Aldente is yet to run in the money in each of his 10 career efforts.

With apprentice hoop Nicole Seymour in the saddle, Lennon is optimistic the extra distance – which is the furthest he has ever ran over – could be beneficial.

“He is a just a bit of a project horse as others could not get him going,” Lennon said.

“I am just trying to figure him out.

“He has got the ability but I am just waiting for the penny to drop.

“Melea Castle rode him over 1200 metres earlier this month at Rockhampton and thought he would better over a mile next start if the horse is able to lead and stay out of trouble.

“Hopefully there is some improvement on Friday.”

Trainer Sean Lennon.

After racing horses with other trainers – as well as his pre-training and breeding interests – Lennon was keen to have a crack at preparing his own gallopers.

“Hopefully I can learn a bit as I go,” he said.

“It is a good track to work your horses at in Gladstone.”

Boyne River Thoroughbreds boasts the services of Defcon – who is a son of champion sprinter Choisir – who won the Black Opal Stakes at Group 3 level as a two-year-old back in 2016 before grabbing the McNeil Stakes – also at Group 3 level – the following year.

Lennon is hopeful of being prominent at the next Capricornia Yearling Sale.

“I am breeding a few of them and keeping a few for myself – and selling the rest at the Capricornia sales,” he said.

“That helps me pay for them.

“Defcon has gone pretty good, he is a nice horse on the ground and he is an easy horse.

“Defcon’s babies are very well mannered and he is starting to get a few good winners out there, so it should be good going forward.”

Meanwhile, the Provincial Horse of the Year from last season - Cabalo Escuro – will have her second-up effort of her new preparation in the Open Handicap over 1200 metres on Friday at Mackay. 

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