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A - Z of New Zealand greats - Ray Verner
With a training career stretching over four decades, few New Zealand trainers have been in the game longer than Ray Verner was.
Ray's training career started at Longford Park - a property owned by businessman, philanthropist and leading owner Sir Ernest Davis. Bali Hai bought early success for Verner and earned him an introduction with the Queen Mother, who was so taken by the horse's beauty, owner Sir Ernest decided to give it to her.
Exactly 20 years later in 1977, Verner had a second encounter with royalty when he meet Queen Elizabeth at Te Rapa, following his champion stayer Good Lord winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The win was part of a golden run for Ray and Good Lord, who also won the Wellington Cup just weeks prior. Good Lord made it back-to-back Wellington Cup wins in 1978 before heading across the Tasman, where he won the Sydney Cup (under the racing name 'My Good Man').
Ray was a master trainer and had a great eye for selecting a horse. He purchased the likes of Prince Majestic, who went on to be a multiple Group 1 winner, including winning the 1982 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
Ray trained a lot of great horses over the years, but he often referred to the 1988 Derby winner, The Gentry, as having the most ability.
Win after win came for the Ray Verner stable and he eventually joined the exclusive 1000 club. Upon his retirement, Ray had trained 1049 winners.
Ray's training career started at Longford Park - a property owned by businessman, philanthropist and leading owner Sir Ernest Davis. Bali Hai bought early success for Verner and earned him an introduction with the Queen Mother, who was so taken by the horse's beauty, owner Sir Ernest decided to give it to her.
Exactly 20 years later in 1977, Verner had a second encounter with royalty when he meet Queen Elizabeth at Te Rapa, following his champion stayer Good Lord winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The win was part of a golden run for Ray and Good Lord, who also won the Wellington Cup just weeks prior. Good Lord made it back-to-back Wellington Cup wins in 1978 before heading across the Tasman, where he won the Sydney Cup (under the racing name 'My Good Man').
Ray was a master trainer and had a great eye for selecting a horse. He purchased the likes of Prince Majestic, who went on to be a multiple Group 1 winner, including winning the 1982 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
Ray trained a lot of great horses over the years, but he often referred to the 1988 Derby winner, The Gentry, as having the most ability.
Win after win came for the Ray Verner stable and he eventually joined the exclusive 1000 club. Upon his retirement, Ray had trained 1049 winners.
