DARLEY expects to announce a successor to Peter Snowden “sooner rather later”, says Racing Network. Henry Plumptre, the Australian Managing Director of Darley, said an announcement would not be “in the next few days, but would be in the next few weeks”.
Plumptre said Darley would appoint an Australian-based trainer rather than bring in someone from overseas.
“I think it is a case of horses for courses. I believe Australian trainers are some of the best in the world,” Plumptre said.
“There is a very competitive bench of trainers out there. I think we are incredibly lucky to have the choice that we have to look at."
Plumptre said the decision by Peter Snowden to end his five and a half year tenure with the Sheik Mohammed-owned Darley had been known for the past six months.
“It wasn’t a huge surprise to us. We were always hoping to put off the inevitable moment,” Plumptre said.
“We have had five absolutely incredible years, we were bloody lucky. We are incredibly grateful for what he’s given us."
Plumptre described the results of Snowden – 28 Group 1 winners, 202 Stakes winners, 1246 winners and $43 million in prizemoney – as “amazing”.
He noted that Peter Snowden didn’t want the statistics to go in the press release issued yesterday by Darley.
“Pete said he was going to add to them over the autumn carnival,” Plumptre said.
“That’s a typical Peter Snowden response, he never lies down.”