Mark Naidoo

Assistant Trainer

Mark grew up in Reservoir Hills and said, "My Dad brought me to the races from the time I was a baby, including to all the Julys. When I graduated from school I knew I wanted to be involved in racing, but just didn't know how to get in."

He spent some time riding out ex-thoroughbreds and doing a bit of jumping at a stable in Mount Edgecombe - anything to get his foot into the door of the industry.

He then found out about the The School Of Equine Management Excellence at Summerhill Stud.

He said, "I joined that in 2015 and I was there for about a year-and- a-quarter. It has programs in stud management, reproduction and sales preparation and consigning and then I spent another breeding season at Summerhill. I earned a bursary and spent two months at the Hong Kong Jockey club just learning how they they operate and I helped them with a bit of marketing work. Later I was fortunate enough to meet Brett Crawford at Rathmor Stud when they had a function to introduce the stallion Noble Tune. Brett just happened to be sitting across from me, so we got to chatting. I told him about Summerhill Stud and that I wanted to get involved in racing and so he told me, 'When you done there you can come and spend some time in my yard.' So in 2017, when Brett had his string here for the winter season, I came and spent some time with him and Peter (who was Brett's assistant at the time). The day I joined was Daily News 2000 day when Brett had a Group 1 double, Edict Of Nantes winning the Daily News and Lady Of The House winning the Woolavington 2000. I had just come back from Hong Kong. Then Brett decided to open a satellite yard, run by Peter, so I have been with Peter ever since."

The Muscutt yard are fortunate to have Mark, who was leading student of his intake at Summerhill and he also won "The Fellowship Award."