Gai Waterhouse stated her father would be thrilled ahead of being inducted in Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Australian Racing’s First Lady of Racing Gai Waterhouse suspects with good reason that, of all the distinguished inductees in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, her dad Tommy Smith would be the most chuffed.
Father & Daughter - TJ "Tommy" Smith with Gai
“I’m sure Dad would be thrilled,” Gai said after she joined her father among the elite of Australian Sporting Greats.
“He would be very excited.
“To be in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is a great honour. To be there, alongside my father, is just wonderful,” Gai added.
Tommy Smith was inducted in 1996.
Tommy Smith
Gai became the first Australian woman to train a Melbourne Cup winner when Fiorente won in 2013.
GAI collects the Melbourne Cup in 2013
Her promotion to the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame is as much as it is for her brilliance as a trainer of thoroughbreds as it is recognition of her sustained excellence both as a trailblazer and as a teacher / mentor.
“It’s a great honour and it’s great to be recognised while I’m doing what I love as a trainer – and not on a walking frame.
“I’m still young enough to direct and influence, that’s very important to me. I’m still able to train horses, and also train people!
“I’ll still get immense satisfaction out of what I do every day,” Gai said.
With more than 7000 winners to her credit, including more than 132 Group 1 victories, Gai Waterhouse remains awe-struck by the impact of winning the Melbourne Cup.
“I remember talking to Mark Kavanagh (who trained Shocking to Cup victory in 2009) and he told me how the Melbourne Cup was a life-changing event.
“The Melbourne Cup brings global recognition because the Melbourne Cup is a race recognised globally.
“Until you’ve won the Melbourne Cup it is almost impossible to comprehend how big it is.
“It is truly a life-changing experience.” Gai stated.
Included among Gai’s massive list of accomplishments are seven Sydney Trainers’ Premierships and success in almost every major Australian race.
Gai Waterhouse had already been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and Gai had also been awarded the Australian Sports Medal for “outstanding contribution to thoroughbred racing.”
Now to be added into the Sports Australia Hall Of Fame crowns an outstanding trifecta of achievement.
Dynamic Syndications are the Primary Syndicator for the GAI WATERHOUSE and Adrian Bott Racing Stables.
Adam & Dean Watt - Dynamic Syndications with our Champion Trainer GAI WATERHOUSE
With Gai’s effervescent ways and incredible ability to polish raw equine talent into superstars of the turf, it’s an awe inspiring experience being part of a team that races horses with GAI.
If you want to know how easy and most importantly, how affordable it is to be in involved with racehorse with Gai Waterhouse
- just give ADAM WATT a call on 02 9540 1511 or 0409 464 378 and have a chat.