Gollan shed tears for his father after Skirt The Law’s win at Millions
TONY Gollan’s obsession with the Magic Millions was forged almost three decades ago when he spent his 18th birthday strapping a horse in the race for his legendary father Darryl.
The now champion trainer strapped Special Dane for his late father in 1997, and such was his dedication to the horse, he slept outside his box the night before the Magic Millions to ensure nothing could go wrong. After chasing one of Queensland’s biggest prizes since that day, where they were narrowly beaten by General Nediym, a usually lively Gollan was overcome with emotion when Skirt The Law crossed the line on Thursday.
“On my 18th birthday I slept in front of the horse’s box before coming down here and strapping it in the Magic Millions – I was there for three nights,” Gollan said.
“Dad was always renowned for his two-year-olds and I would strap them for him back then. We came here with Special Dane and ran second to General Nediym, who was a freak.
“It meant a lot to win this race, particularly for my dad more than anything because it meant a lot to him.
“I don’t usually get emotional but I really was (on Thursday) because all these thoughts of Dad came flooding back. My sister (Zoe) was right beside me which made it twice as bad.
“This is how long we have been coming down here and trying to win this race for, it’s so hard to win because you buy a horse then bring it back a year later to race. (Former jockey) Tony Haydon put this thing on Twitter the other day and tagged me because I was the young strapper at Toowoomba when he had to run the horse to get into the Millions.”
Darryl Gollan was renowned for training two-year-old winners, something Tony openly admits hasn’t been his strong point until Thursday.
With self doubt growing over whether he had put enough work into Skirt The Law after a 47-day break, Tony said his father would have been proud of what he was able to pull off.
Skirt The Law is now the $13 third favourite to win the Group 1 Golden Slipper in March.