Brent Livingstone living proof of father's legacy

By Jordan Gerrans

Above all else, comeback reinsman Brent Livingstone was proud to make his father John smile on Thursday of last week.

In the early 2000s, Brent was a consistent driver around the Sunshine State, racking up 20 or more winners in the sulky in six straight seasons as well as competing in Group level events.

For a combination of reasons – which included his mother’s sad passing – Brent stepped away from the harness racing industry during the 2010-11 season.

He has made a triumphant return this month and bagged his first winner since the 2009-10 season - according to Australian Harness Racing records - on Thursday afternoon around ‘The Triangle’.

The 37-year-old was glad to ‘get the monkey off his back’ at his second race day appearance in his return and his biggest supporter – his father John – was quickly on the phone after he got out of the sulky.

The Livingstone clan has been around the sport in Queensland for decades. 

“Hopefully I can make Dad happy, he always watches the races and he got a real thrill out of me driving last week,” the returning reinsman said.

“Dad always suggested to me that I should get my licence back again.  I want to be successful and it is about pride for your family.

“I want to get back into it more so and get more drives. He was straight on the phone and was quick to critique my drive.”

Incredibly, Brent did not touch a horse for the 12 years he was away from driving and only got back into it all recently when he needed to complete his 10 trials to satisfy stewards to regain his licence.

He always kept an eye on the races and often spoke about the sport with his father John during his time away.

Brent’s brother owns a number of pacers with a few leading stables in Australia, which played a role in sparking his interest in getting back into driving.

Brent drove Emmaleen for trainer Debra Belford on the first day of this month in his comeback drive at Albion Park. 

It was the same mare he partnered on Thursday of last week to record his comeback milestone, scoring over 2040 metres.

Brent overcame a second row draw to claim victory by a head which was Emmaleen’s fourth in 36 career attempts.

The Redcliffe-based Belford stable is one that has supported Brent in his efforts to get back into the caper and he was pleased to be able to reward them with a victory.

“It was great to get one early, I didn’t want to get up to 50 or 60 drives and not have a winner,” Brent said.

“I wanted to prove my worth and prove that I am still young and can compete.

“It was great and I am always thankful of any trainer that gives me a drive but especially after not driving for 12 years, Debra Belford and her crew that gave me the drive, they have faith in me.”

The Gold Coast-based Brent has run a phone business in recent years after stepping away from harness racing.

At the Livingstone family's peak in their time in the sport, Brent and John – who trained the stable in his name – had around 30 in work.

Brent’s best season in the bike was back in 2006-07 when he drove 52 winners and went at 12 per cent.

The families numbers in work began to dwindle and they eventually stepped away from training.

Looking back on the decision to walk away from the game, Brent says they never really wanted to give up the horses but his mother Michelle’s death played a role in the decision.

“There was a number of factors to it but Mum passing away took a big toll on Dad and me,” the driver said.

“She was pretty important to us and did all the bookwork side of things with the horses and the stable. Mum was always in the background doing all that work.

“I did not want to step away from harness racing as I was raised and bred in it and my dad had been doing it for 40 odd years – he was well respected within the industry.

"It was tough to step away.”

In his earlier stint in the sport, Brent also spent time working and driving in New South Wales and Victoria, spending time with Lance Justice, among other trainers.

Looking ahead, Brent is keen to make a real fist of his return to harness racing and says that as he runs a business outside of the sport, that will allow him flexibility with his driving and not have to rely on it for his sole income.