Paul heading down a new track
Familiar Clifford Park face ready for next life challenge
RACING: It will be business as usual next week at bustling Clifford Park — but with one of its most familiar and popular faces missing.
After 16 years spent at the coalface of one of horse racing’s most demanding jobs, Paul “Shrek” Brennan will make a huge career leap into the world of mental health.
Brennan has resigned as Toowoomba Turf Club assistant course manger and chief starter to begin work at Baillie Henderson and Toowoomba hospitals as a registered nurse through Queensland Health.
He has completed a threeyear degree to take on his next life challenge which has become his passion since planning his new career back in 2016.
“I always thought there was something different out there for me — a bigger purpose,” said the man known affectionately by the nickname “Shrek” by friends, colleagues and TTC staff.
“I’ve always been drawn to helping people, and I’ve worked towards getting into mental health.
“I think mental health as a community responsibility has a long way to go.
“We have a responsibility to continually address its needs and its effect on the community, and that’s why I’m so passionate about moving into that field.
“It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”
Brennan had his first taste of Clifford Park racing as a 13year-old St Mary’s schoolboy when he worked as a barrier attendant during his school holidays.
He has since worked under and with several course managers after beginning work at the club full-time in 2003 where he initially learnt the ropes under then course manager Ben Saunders.
“I started here more than 16 years ago after dropping out of school,” Brennan said.
“My dad said I had to get a job so I came along here and Ben gave me a start.
“I started out as a casual grounds keeper and barrier attendant.
“I was terrified of that job at first.
“But I love the people I have worked with.
“Especially looking back to my early days.
“Benny Saunders really taught me what it was like to be a worker.
“It’s just been a good culture to work with.”
Brennan’s turf club stay has seen him work through several management teams and three turbulent track surface eras which caused huge tension among Toowoomba racing industry members.
“There’s definitely been some good and bad times,” Brennan said.
“I’ve seen plenty of committees come and go.
“I’ve seen three different tracks here.
“There was the original grass track, then we went to the Cushion and now the StrathAyr.
“We also saw that go pretty bad at the start and we had to battle back.
“Me and Chris Nation (former course manager) put our heads together to get it going properly.
“Every meeting between races we were walking into the stewards’ room and it felt like a war zone to tell you the truth.
“There was lot of pressure.
People wanted answers (on the track condition) and we could understand that.”
Brennan pays credit to Nation and former TTC CEO Blair Odgers for their input into both his career development and Clifford Park’s progress.
“I really appreciated the help I received from Chris and Blair,” Brennan said.
“Blair restructured the whole place and gave us direction which made us feel more professional.
“He really saw something in me, and he backed me, and then Chris did the same thing.
“Those guys led me the right way and I just took it and run with it.
“Dave Morrison then did a great job when he came along and replaced Chris.
“He’s really good and has got the track looking fantastic.”
Brennan has formed numerous friendships during his time at Clifford Park.
“It’s definitely not like I’m running out of this place,” Brennan said.
“I’m trying to fulfil a dream. “I’ll definitely miss being here, but I won’t be missing altogether.
“I’ll be keeping in touch with Dave and Lizzy (King, CEO) and that.
“If they need my help, I’ll always be here.
“It was terribly hard making the decision to leave.
“But just because it’s hard, that doesn’t mean don’t do it.
“If you really want something — go for it.
“To be honest, while I was doing my degree, I quit in my head about 60 times.
“But I kept going, kept fighting, because I knew it was what I really wanted to do.
“I’d love to thank the Toowoomba Turf Club for what they’ve done for me.
“They’ve helped me out, especially the current committee and employees along with Chris and Blair and Dave.
“Also a big thank-you to my family who have helped me heaps.
“I’ve been through a lot in the past 12 months and my partner Annjenetta Hooper has helped me through it all.
“She’s the one who has really helped me to stick at it, when I felt I couldn’t.”