Racing WA

Inductee 2012: Trevor Warwick

2 June 2012

The Master Driver

Trevor Warwick grew up in the tiny town of Merredin where his father trained horses as a hobby. When they eventually moved to Fremantle, Warwick began an apprenticeship as a printer, but spent every spare moment at nearby stables, keen to learn more about horses. The attraction was strong. He went on to attend the Perth Reinsman's School and drove his first winner in September 1963. He had found his calling.

Warwick had ambitions to one day win a WA Pacing Cup and a Fremantle Cup and as his stable grew his ambition to be Western Australia's Leading Driver and Trainer grew with it. He exceeded his own expectations when he was acknowledged as Australia's Leading Trainer in 1986/87, with 138 winners.

Warwick is one of only four Western Australians to drive more than 2000 winners, and 1176 of them were at Gloucester Park. He has trained group one winners across three Australian states.

However it is largely the quality of Warwick's horsemanship that sets him apart. Owning large stables, Warwick took in apprentices, trained them hard and developed them as ‘horsemen'. A Warwick-trained driver did not merely ‘steer' horses, but learned to understand them. A whole generation have passed through the Warwick stables and become successful drivers, stablehands, trainers and foremen. The apprenticeship was tough but produced some of the best people in the industry.

Warwick's success has not been limited to Australia. He spent six competitive years in the USA where his winning streak continued.

The Driving Master

Now the Driving Master at Racing and Wagering Western Australia, Warwick continues to train and mentor young people. A new driver can learn rapidly under the master's supervision and Trevor sees his role as an opportunity to give back to the racing industry.

Perth Drivers' Premierships

3 times winner
6 times runner-up
17 times in Top 5
28 times in Top 10

Perth Trainers' Premierships

4 times winner
8 times runner-up
21 times in Top 5
25 times in Top 10

Memorable Horses

Yarracoola was a favourite of Trevor Warwick's and the horse's wins at Group One level as a 2yo and 4yo remain a highlight of his career.

Lincoln Storm was the most prolific winner produced at Warwick's Forrestdale stables, with 37 wins, including two Fremantle Cups.

Other notable winners include Mazzini Magic, WA Harness Horse of the Year and Golden Slipper Stakes winner with 21 wins, Morano Magic with 25 wins, including a Golden Nugget Championship, Trunkey Westerner with 23 wins and Trunkey Sting with 21 wins.