You never know where the friendships forged in your school days will take you.
For new trainer Harris Walker, a friendship he formed in his junior years has led to his current career in the racing industry.
“Probably about 15 years ago, I became mates with the Hayes when they came over from Hong Kong,” Walker said.
“They got me involved in racing; I had no family history at all.
“They grew the seed and then from there I just really wanted to learn more about it and then obviously got involved and I really haven’t stopped since then.”
Walker then took the next step in his racing journey by working for Cox Plate-winning trainer Colin Little at his Caulfield stables near where he grew up.
“There’s no university or textbook of racing, so it’s important to find a mentor like Colin who’s willing, not only to pass on his experiences, but allow you to grow within his team,” he said.
“I’ve been fortunate throughout my whole journey to find myself good mentors who are willing to invest in me and that’s helped me develop and become I guess, the horse trainer that I am today.”
After working for Little and completing a stint with Lindsay Park, Walker then found his next mentor in multiple G1-winning trainer Pat Carey.
The Mornington-based trainer was someone who he had admired from afar and who he was put in contact with through their mutual connection, former jockey and Lindsay Park’s chief operating officer Matt Pumpa.
“Pat was always someone that I’d looked at and really respected his horsemanship, especially how he trains stayers,” Walker said.
Walker and Carey’s professional relationship quickly developed, with the pair joining forces as a training partnership at the start of this month.
For Carey, the union has come at the right stage of life for him and his wife Cheryl.
“I just felt that as myself and Cheryl are starting to move on a bit, I need to have a better presence on the front line,” Carey said.
“In Harris Walker, I’ve got a very presentable young guy who’s really keen to do well.
“What I saw in Harris was a conscientious, quiet guy who’s thirsty for knowledge and to learn. He’s got a very good rapport with the staff; the staff really like him.”
Already, Walker has soaked up knowledge that Carey has gained in his career and believes that the partnership is off to a good start.
“A lot of what I’m learning is stuff that I haven’t seen before and that’s the thing; Pat’s got experience and he’s willing to show me that experience and what’s he’s learned along his journey,” he said.
“I think we work quite well together, obviously his old and experienced mind and my enthusiasm, I guess you could say, it’s working well together so far.”
Carey and Walker had their first runners together at Sale on the second day of the season and then celebrated their first win together when Starlight Scope got the prize in a mares race at Flemington.
“I was quite disappointed we couldn’t get a result there (Sale), but I’m glad we waited four days and we were able to do it at Headquarters,” Walker reflected of that moment.
“You wouldn’t read about it, you wouldn’t write a book about it, it simply doesn’t happen.
“For it to happen was just great and to share it with Pat was an unbelievable thrill.”
So, what does the future look like for the senior trainer and his protege?
“Harris comes in and the way I see it, he develops his name and his position in the industry further, and who knows, eventually, instead of me sitting in the front seat, I might sit in the back seat and he might sit in the front seat,” Carey replied.
“Hopefully, it just continues to grow and develop and we keep getting winners, we keep turning out horses in good condition and that’s all we can really focus on, is getting the best out of our horses and if we can do that, we’re just going to get more and more winners and hopefully, that can continue,” Walker said.
Courtesy Racing.com