Gary Portelli
Meet Dynamic Trainer - Gary Portelli
"I am a great believer in a team environment as far as my stable staff is concerned. It may be my name printed as trainer but it is having a great team of staff that help get the best out of each and every horse"- Gary Portelli.
The Portelli name has been training thoroughbreds for generations, and today is ranked amongst the best training organisation in the thoroughbred industry.
Portelli Racing operates two stables, one located at Warwick Farm, South West of the Sydney CBD and another stable is established at the prestigious Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne. The Portelli philosophy is to ensure every individual horse in their care receives the personalised attention it deserves both on and off the track.
This gives the Portelli team the opportunity to place our horse to its full advantage. Having the option of two States allows the team to maximize a horses winning potential. Our horses are based at Warwick Farm but if a race presents in Melbourne its an easy commute to Flemington to have a crack at Victorian prizemoney should the opportunity arise.
Portelli Racing like Dynamic Syndications is committed to striving for excellence.
History
Racing has been in the Portelli brothers' blood as their Mother held her own training licence in the 1980s and their Grandfather was also a jockey. Both Gary and Troy were champion equestrian riders which began soon after they could walk. The family moved from Sydney to Orange in western New South Wales in the early 80s. Gary and Troy spent their youth riding horses, and were "mums" track work riders and breakers before Gary took over the training licence in 1990. An opportunity arose and Gary set up new digs at Warwick Farm, Sydney, where they watched the methods of fellow trainers John Hawkes, Guy Walter, Clarry Conners and Steve Englebrecht. It was this move that allowed the boys to gain a better quality of horse which in turn has led them on to bigger and better things.
In 2004 when an opening became available for a stable at the Flemington Racecourse, Troy moved to Melbourne and set up the Victorian branch of Portelli Racing stables. At the time, Gary and Troy were considering increasing to a larger stable at Warwick Farm, but felt the opportunity to take on a Victorian branch provided them with greater flexibility to expand their stable and their horses' racing opportunities.
The highlight of their careers so far would be their Group 1 victories with Rena’s Lady in the AJC Oaks and Gold Trail along with many other black type successes. However another memorable occasion for the team was the retirement of their favourite stable Marwin Gold on his 20th win as an 11year old.
It’s the passion for racing and success, enhancing and preserving their client’s investments in their beloved thoroughbreds that motivates Gary and Troy everyday.