Page 8 - The Game September 2006

8 The Game, September 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Lynch lets his stars do the talking
Trainer Brian Lynch saddles Royal Challenger for the Breeders’ Stakes under the watchful eye of owner Frank Stronach.
Photo right: Trainer Brian Lynch at Woodbine
By Chris Lomon
Lynch has never forgotten the advice he received from one of thoroughbred racing's most famous horsemen.
While he can't remember the precise moment, Lynch, who is currently enjoying his most successful year as a trainer, does recall the words of wisdom that came from Hall of Fame conditioner Bobby Frankel.
"The most important thing I learned from Bobby is to stay low-key and let the horses do the talking," said Lynch, who joined the legendary Frankel in the role of assistant trainer after giving up his public stable at Hollywood Park in 2004. "I've tried to put that into practice."
Although his name is often associated with Frankel, Lynch, who came to North America in 1991, has had his own fair share of success over the years.
A sure sign of the respect he has earned came last year when the Australian-born Lynch took over the powerhouse Stronach Stables' string of Woodbine horses.
His numbers are also an accurate barometer of his emergence as a top-flight conditioner at the Toronto oval. Fashioning a 28 per cent win average as of August 23,
Lynch's in-the-money and purse earnings statistics, 63 per cent and over $1-million, respectively, are equally impressive.
Still, the man who campaigned three-year-old Royal Challenger to victory in the 2006 Breeders' Stakes, the
final jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown Series, isn't letting success go to his head.
"I come from a very humble background and to be perfectly honest, I'd rather not be in the spotlight, I'd rather be behind it," said the 42-year- old native of Brisbane. "I work for a wonderful organization that does a fantastic job in breeding great horses.
"I was given an opportunity and a great crew to work with. I'm just the one who happens to orchestrate it."
Lynch's first stakes winner came with Riva Ranger on August 2, 1995, in the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar. Rexy Sexy was a double-stakes winner, as was Fire Sale Queen.
One of the most high-profile horses he saddled was the aptly-named Only the Best, who took four stakes triumphs, including the Sunny Slope at Santa Anita in 2002.
But it's not only in the United States where Lynch has made an impression.
After a modest 2005 at Woodbine, Lynch has already put together a memorable season at Canada's Showplace of Racing, one that still has four months left before the curtain closes on the campaign.
Lynch starters got out of the gates quickly in 2006, literally and figuratively, and there are no signs that the pace will slow down.
"I am a goal-setter, but I always choose modest numbers," he offered. "In this business, you can never look too far ahead. That's just the way it works."
Lynch also plays an integral role in evaluating the Canadian-based Stronach horses, deciding what racetracks they are best suited for, and where necessary, getting the horses to Stronach conditioners in the U.S.
"As I said, I've got a wonderful crew to work with and when you are able to get your hands on good horses, you consider yourself very fortunate," said Lynch, who is closing in on 15 career stakes wins, including one with Stronach Stables' Flaming Heart in the Hill 'N' Dale Stakes on June 17 at Woodbine.
Which is exactly how Lynch felt after Royal Challenger's win in the aforementioned Breeders'
Stakes.
"Honestly, to be part of the Canadian Triple Crown is a
great honour. To win the third leg was a genuine thrill. It was great to see Royal Challenger rise to the occasion."
Lynch didn't take much time to rest on laurels, however, as he was back to business the very next morn- ing, focusing on the next challenge.
"I love being part of this sport, but as I see it, you are only as good as your last race."
If that is indeed the case, Lynch is rarely a disappointed man.
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News In Review
Champion Sprinter Lost in the Fog has returned to Bay Meadows Racecourse where he is currently undergoing treatment to shrink tumors in his spleen and near his spine in the hope that they will become small enough to operate.
After a ninth place finish in the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course on July 15, Lost in the Fog, was taken to the University of California - Davis veterinary school on August 13 for what was believed to be a mild case of colic. Doctors actually discovered a cancerous mass (35 centimeters by 25 centimeters) in his spleen and more tests days later revealed a football-sized tumor near the colt’s spine. The position of that tumor deemed it inoperable.
Lost in the Fog is currently receiving oral and injected treatments and is said to be eating well and is not in any pain according to reports from trainer Greg Gilchrist. A sonogram is scheduled for early September to check the progress.
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