Horses Over Hollywood For Lewthwaite
21 December, 2016
Thoroughbred
If Brock Lewthwaite’s fledgling training career doesn’t take off as planned he has a ready-made position to fall back on.
The Waganui-born Lewthwaite can return to the glitz and glamour of film making, a position he held for two years in New Zealand.
The 25-year-old horseman worked on The Hobbit, a trilogy of films that banked almost $3 billion and became a world-wide hit.
Produced and directed by the acclaimed, Peter Jackson, The Hobbit was entirely filmed in New Zealand throughout locations in the north and south islands.
As part of the ensemble cast, Lewthwaite was a horse wrangler, riding double and performed as a dwarf and elf in many of the riding scenes.
Lewthwaite said his role in the Hollywood extravaganza was a once in a lifetime opportunity that reignited his passion for horses.
“It was a life-changing event for me,” Lewthwaite said.
“It allowed me to travel throughout New Zealand, but it also boosted and reinforced my passion for working with horses.
“I have family history in racing and was always going to work in the industry in some capacity, but it made me realise I could make a genuine career out of it.”
That vision became authentic when Lewthwaite established a base in Perth, as far removed from New Zealand, but one he now firmly calls home.
After a European holiday that took in the 2012 London Olympics and Newmarket’s premier July meeting he united with David Harrison as stable foreman.
His horsemanship skills impressed Harrison who within weeks of Lewthwaite’s arrival handed over the keys to the stables while he took off on a well deserved holiday
Lewthwaite repaid the faith when he saddled at double at Belmont Park, Benito scoring and Pininci taking out the Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m).
He also spent a season under Vaugh Sigley and currently oversees prominent owner-breeder Allan Macallister’s facilities at Redwood Park.
“It’s been a lucky break to be able to work with successful people,” Lewthwaite said.
“And I arrived at a good time because they enjoyed a good amount of success.
“I took charge of Vaughn’s team when he went away with Black Heart Bart which was a great time to be involved in.
“And to be now working closely with Alan and lean on his knowledge is something that money can’t buy.
“I have been very fortunate at this stage of my career to have had the help and guidance of successful people.”
That success has quickly gravitated to Lewthwaite who just a short month after branching out on his own celebrated his maiden win as a trainer.
The personal milestone came courtesy of Musical Art, a gelding bred and raced by Macalister, who won at Bunbury on December 19.
For Lewthwaite, a one-time actor and now full-time trainer, it’s the ideal opening act as he strives to leave his mark on Western Australian racing.
Julio Santarelli