Bates has eyes on the prize
Trainer conquers tragedy
DARWIN trainer David Bates is living proof of the lifethreatening dangers that riding horses presents.
The past five months have seen the tragic deaths of two prominent female jockeys, including Darwin’s own Simone Montgomerie.
The tragedies have given Bates extra reason to count his lucky stars almost 4½ years after he suffered serious head injuries on Palmerston Sprint Day at Fannie Bay.
Now Darwin’s 19- time premier jockey is preparing for another huge challenge — to win another Darwin Cup as a trainer.
As a jockey, Bates won the 1989 cup on Brinney and saluted again on McJoey in 2001. He was also in the saddle and trained Lanson to victory in 2005.
Now, with his life and health back on track, the 48-year-old is dreaming the dream of training another 2000m cup champion.
‘‘ I only said that a few weeks ago,’’ Bates told the Sunday Territorian.
‘‘It really is something I want to do now — win another Darwin Cup,’’ he said.
‘‘ They are hard to come by.’’
Bates does not think it will happen in 2014 but he is confident it will happen.
‘‘If it was going to be a Darwin Cup horse, we would probably either have had to have bought him now, which means he would probably be a three or four-year-old, or we would have bred him, which means he would be too young.
‘‘At this point in time it is a little bit early to be suggesting Darwin Cup horses.
‘‘ Once you get to March or April next year, you pretty well know what you have got.’’
Dreaming of returning to the pinnacle of Darwin racing is a far cry from the horrors of August 2009.
In 27 years of riding, Bates had never suffered a race fall.
Then, within the space of four days, he had two, the last of which signalled the end of his career in the saddle and very nearly claimed his life.
When Rose Marie clipped heels and threw her rider into the Fannie Bay track in the last race, Bates suffered terrible injuries to the frontal lobe of his brain, a fractured ear and a skull fracture in the vicinity of the main artery.
He was placed in an induced coma to stabilise the bleeding in his head and had an operation to remove a piece of his skull to reduce pressure on the brain.
Bates was under the care of some of the finest neurosurgeons in Australia and spent time in Epworth Hospital in Melbourne to aid his recovery.
Although the head injuries were life threatening, his remarkable fitness, combined with his overwhelming will to win, saw Bates pull through.
After a long rehabilitation, he has bounced back to almost full fitness.
‘‘We are building quite a nice team of horses here,’’ he said. ‘‘We are about to start them all up in the next couple of weeks and see how we go.’’
Bates has 10 horses at his Parap stables, more than usual for this time of year.
‘‘ They all look like they have a bit of a future, so I am
I don’t remember the incident, so there’s nothing to flash back at
looking forward to trying to win a race with them.’’
Bates said he did not like to dwell on the past, preferring to think of the future.
‘‘I spoke a lot about it (the fall) initially when I came back from Melbourne but since then I have gone on my way and donemything.
‘‘I know what happened because I have seen the replay but I don’t remember what happened. Memory is one of the problems that I have. But I do remember my wins, especially in the Darwin Cup.’’
Bates admits his return has been a significant challenge.
‘‘I gave everything up that I had and I had to get it all back and build on it. Now I think we are in a very good spot.
‘‘As far as being a jockey goes, you learn to live with that (race tragedy).
‘‘It has happened over 500 times in Australia. It’s just part of riding.
‘‘ You just hope it never comes your way. And it nearly did. I was lucky.’’
Bates said that August day changed his life but it was now important to get on with it.
‘‘I don’t remember the incident, so there’s nothing to flash back at,’’ he said.
‘‘ The specialist in Melbourne will not let me ride again purely for safety reasons. So I accept that.
‘‘Apart from owning horses, training is as close as you can get in the industry.
‘‘I can’t run any more. I was a very good sportsman and runner but I have lost all my running speed.’’
The fact Bates has returned to the top of his profession speaks volumes for his dedication and professionalism.
But he said he could not have done it without his staff and the loyalty of his owners.
‘‘ You are only as good as the team around you,’’ Bates said.