Special bond leads to breakthrough victory

By Jordan Gerrans

Brisbane’s Michael Marsh is training race horse Tereshkova to win, first and foremost, but their relationship is about much more than that.

The Deagon-based hobby trainer just has a small team in work, headlined by the former Chris Waller-prepared Tereshkova.

The 50-year-old has had a handful of gallopers start in his name since he had his maiden runner as a trainer back in October of 2021.

Tereshkova has been the team’s flag bearer for much of this year and it was fitting that the four-year-old mare would hand the passionate Marsh his first victory as a trainer.

“She and I just bonded basically and hit it off straight away,” Marsh said.

“She knows me and would look for me every time I would go out there.

“The bond was there and horse people know what it is like to have a bond like that with a horse.

“She knows me to a ‘t’ and she responds to me, I know her inside and out. She watches my every move.”

The breakthrough victory for both the trainer and horse came at Kilcoy on Thursday afternoon.

Marsh was smiling that the 1200 metre Maiden Handicap was one of the earlier races on the program as the card was abandoned after the fourth event following storm activity in the area.

Group 1-winning hoop Samantha Collett did the steering on Thursday as Tereshkova bolted in by more than three lengths in a dominant display.

The 33-year-old Collett joked to Marsh in the saddling enclosure pre-race that she would love to hand Marsh his maiden win as a trainer and she had a big smile to prove it following the event.

Sky Racing’s Kiaarn Dickens referred to Marsh as “such a nice bloke” following the victory.

Marsh owns the mare with his father, Joseph, who also trained himself in his younger years.

“I was a bit overcome with it there as I am doing it with my Dad as well,” Marsh said.

“We been through a few heartaches with horses there over the years.

“It was nice to get that first win as it has been so much hard work, working her every morning and going to the track three or four times a week.

“My Dad told me that I deserve everything because I am dedicated and never miss a day with the horse.

“It was nice to get the reward for all the hard work, it was special to get that first winner. It was a pretty big thrill. My wife and daughters have been big supporters as well.”

Marsh’s father Joseph held a trainers licence for a number of years and last had a runner in late 2000, according to Racing Australia’s statistics.

Joseph enjoyed success at Gympie as a trainer.

Joseph told Michael on Thursday that the victory by Tereshkova was his greatest thrill ever in the sport to see his son train a winner.

Marsh would strap for his father in his younger years before also working in the racing industry transporting horses.

He spent time away from the caper to work as a butcher but has returned over the last few years while running a hay business on the side.

He often turns to respected Deagon horseman Pat Duff for advice. 

“I have always been involved with horses through Dad and I strapped for him when I got out of school,” Marsh said.

“Dad has trained over the years in the past and he had a few winners and a few good horses.

“They were not world beaters but they were our champions and they won a few races. He eventually gave me a few horses to have a play with.”

The daughter of I Am Invincible had eight fruitless runs for the Waller camp before the Marshs' purchased the mare online for just under $10,000.

The four-year-old bay contested a Wednesday city maiden last week before dropping back to country grade on Thursday to get the money for the first time.

“She was feeling really well on Thursday and she tries her heart out,” Marsh said.

“Sam got her to relax and settle, which was advice from her track work rider at Deagon who suggested we do that.

“We put that into play and all the hard work paid off.”