John Sargent is on the cusp of a significant moment in his four-decade training career, with his filly Four Moves Ahead poised to compete in the prestigious G1 Golden Slipper. The buzz surrounding his stable is palpable, a familiar sensation for Sargent, who likens it to his time training champion horses in New Zealand. “When you get the good ones, the phone never stops,” he remarked, embracing the attention as an integral part of the racing game. This widespread recognition is a testament to Four Moves Ahead’s impressive form, having remained undefeated in her two starts, including a decisive victory in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes. Despite the excitement, Sargent maintains a grounded approach, emphasizing his methodical training systems and the unpredictable nature of racing. “You hope that everything aligns – the draw, track conditions and luck in running – because you can only do so much,” he stated.
A Talent for Fillies
Sargent has earned a reputation as a skilled conditioner of fillies, a talent honed over years of experience. His stable has housed notable fillies such as Emeralds, Gust Of Wind, Quintessential, Kirramosa, and Luvaluva, who collectively secured 13 stakes victories, including four Oaks races across different jurisdictions. Sargent attributes some of his success with fillies to his time in England, where the training approach is more focused on the development of younger horses. “I learned from that,” he explained. Furthermore, a pragmatic approach to yearling purchases plays a role. “I don’t have a big hand in buying the expensive yearlings at the sales. So, very often, when I go to the sales, the horses I like are the fillies because they’re cheaper,” Sargent admitted. With the Hong Kong market for fillies largely out of reach and local buyers often prioritizing colts with stallion potential, Sargent has consistently focused on acquiring fillies. While he has occasionally invested substantial sums, such as NZ$200,000 for a So You Think filly, his average yearling purchase price since 2001 remains a modest $43,000.
Global Racing Experiences
At 63, John Sargent brings a wealth of experience from training in Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. He reflects on Hong Kong as a potential, though ultimately unattainable, career destination due to age restrictions. Sargent and his wife Susie spent four formative years in Kuala Lumpur from 1998 to 2002, culminating in him winning the Trainer’s Premiership in his third season. He described the intense pressure in Malaysia, where racing was the primary form of gambling due to the absence of casinos. “All they gambled on were horses, so there was a lot of pressure to produce results,” he recalled. The demanding racing circuit involved transporting horses between various Malaysian and Singaporean tracks, a period Sargent found instrumental in refining his skills and accumulating capital to establish his own stables back in New Zealand. His time in Malaysia was not without its challenges, including a harrowing home invasion by a notorious gang. This incident, while deeply traumatic, did not deter his passion for the sport.
A Return to Randwick and a Keen Eye for Talent
Following his return to New Zealand, where he managed a large stable of 150 horses, Sargent relocated to Randwick in 2013. His current stable, once home to legendary trainer Neville Begg, now houses around 35 horses, including Brandenburg, a talented gelding who occupies the former box of the illustrious Emancipation. Sargent remains dedicated to his profession, present at the stables daily. While he enjoys golf and gym, his heart remains with the thoroughbreds. His approach to selecting yearlings is a blend of analytical observation and instinct. “I think about breeding a lot when it comes to a horse,” Sargent said. “I like to find a Group 1 winner in the first three dams, but then I also like a horse that walks out of the box, stands up and hits you.” He acknowledges the escalating prices in the yearling market, noting that what once cost $80,000 now requires upwards of $150,000. This trend, driven by lucrative Australian racing stakes, makes it increasingly challenging for trainers without significant backing to acquire top-tier talent. Despite these market shifts, Sargent’s enduring passion and keen eye for a promising horse continue to define his respected career in racing.
