Trainer Profile

Mark Kavanagh was a very successful jumps rider but it’s as a trainer where he has excelled.

Mark was living in Mount Gambier when he started training in 1991 and was leading trainer in the South East District Racing Association 1992-93 Season. His first full season as a trainer he backed that up with another win 1993-94 season.

He was soon recognized as an astute trainer and was given Red Hope to train after George Hanlon told the owners he would not measure to Melbourne Class. Mark won the Hilton on the Park Sprint, Laurent Perrier Stakes, Ian McEwen trophy and Moondah Plate with the Big Chestnut. He also won two Liz Davenport Classic and two Whylie Handicaps, a total of 15 races.

Mark then opened a Satellite stable in Adelaide and soon trained successfully out of both stables.

In 2000 Mark and his family moved to Adelaide full time and winners really started to flow. Border Time, Easy Landing, Star Joe, Ez and Imperial Cross were just a few that won listed and group and cups races that year.

In 2003 Mark purchased some old stables and set about renovating and rebuilding the whole complex. It is now the best in Adelaide with absolute first class facilities for 39 horses. There is a house converted to offices and facilities for owners to have a drink and watch videos. The horses are paraded on the large lawns boarded by lovely gardens. Owners are kept informed at all times with e-mails, faxes and phone calls.

Mark believes owners need to be kept informed and that’s a priority. Mark is always buying yearlings at the major sales around Australia and is always on the lookout for new owners. 

In 2007 Mark opened a stable at Flemington and enjoyed immediate success that Spring with Divine Madonna, Maldivian and Devil Moon all wining at Group One level.  He unearthed another potential super star the following Spring in Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou and experienced one of his biggest days on a racetrack when Maldivian won the 2008 MVRC Cox Plate,and stable mates Sea Battle (Waterford Crystal Mile) and Whobegotyou (AAMI Vase) won on the support card.

To read a profile at The Thoroughbred Online click here