Trainer Profile

Gary and Troy Portelli

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, being Gary, took it by the horns and 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 first Group 1 victory with Rena’s Lady in the AJC Oaks, but other memorable occasions stir, like retiring stable favourite Marwin Gold on his 20th win as an 11year old.

Its the passion for racing, enhancing and preserving their clients investments that Gary and Troy look forward to everyday.

"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