Persistence pays off with Errol D at Winton

By Jonny Turner 

Joining Errol D in the winner’s circle at Winton was a long way from Mark Shirley’s mind when he was lying on Oreti Beach with a broken pelvis.

The square-gaiter delivered highly deserved reward for the trainer and his fellow owners when scoring at Winton on Sunday.

Shirley’s beach mishap was one step along the road taken to iron out the trotter, who had been wayward and inconsistent earlier in his career in Southland.

That road had gotten smoother lately, with Errol D capping consistent form in tougher grades before breaking through to score. 

“I broke him into the saddle thinking I could ride him and it might get him going a bit better,” Shirley said. 

“It was just a freak accident and I came off him and because he is 17 hands I broke my pelvis.”

“At the same time my wife Debbie broke her arm.”

Errol D is raced by Shirley and a group of friends who were already pitching in with their horse.

But the beach incident spurred more involvement, including some vital faith and persistence.

“He’s raced by Pat and Brendon Langford, their family had good gallopers back in the day.”

“Grant Shirley, he helps with his track work, and Mark Hogan, who we have appointed as the manager of the group.”

“After the accident, Pat took the horse home and jogged him and he has really been the one who has had faith in him.”

“Pat has taken him home and given him a few freshen ups when he has needed them and done a lot of mucking around with him.”

“He took him under his wing when the rest of us wanted to sack him.”

“They are a great and very loyal ownership group and they all do their bit.”

“I have got more stablehands than horses in work.”

“I am just thrilled they were able to be rewarded today.”

Shirley was also quick to credit another key player in Errol D’s redemption story, Gore trainer Brian Norman.

“We sent him to Brian because he is very good with a wayward trotter.”

“Brian identified a soreness issue with his feet and we have been able to rectify that, which has been a big help.”

Errol D was bred by and is named after the late Errol Downey, the former North Island horseman.

Shirley and his co-owners purchased the trotter out of the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett stable.

“He is well bred, his mother Sanchipola won about eight races.”

“Bernie texted me after the race, he has been a great help with getting him sorted too.”

“The main thing has been teaching him to go left-handed because he raced right-handed up north.”

Errol D was given a perfect trip by driver Shane Walkinshaw, who led and then trailed runner-up Hobbs before dashing along the inner to score.