Trainer of 1600 winners
The dusty tracks of Wyndham, Kununurra, Halls Creek, Derby, Broome, Port Hedland, Roebourne, Marble Bar and Newman were at the starting gates of Neville Parnhams’ career. He began as a jockey, riding the country tracks of the Northwest, but soon turned his talents to training. Parnham took out a trainer’s licence in 1983 and by the late 1980s he was preparing regular city winners. A colt named Higginsville helped Parnham in this early journey, winning 19 races including a Strickland Stakes, Kalgoorlie Cup and Coolgardie Cup. Neville Parnham has now trained more than 1,600 winners and prepared more than 16,000 starters. The versatile trainer is known around Australia for his ability to produce winners from two year olds through to the older horses. Some of the best horses he has trained included Perth Cup winner Luna Tudor, WA Guineas winner Royal Retrieve and Karrakatta Plate winner Brava Fortune. The best is arguably Playing God who won consecutive Kingston Town Classics at Group 1 level and stakes in excess of $1.6M. Parnham’s three sons, Stephen, Brad and Chris, are now jockeys, proving the breadth of Parnham’s success. With a considered approach and a clean record, Neville Parnham has been an asset to the racing industry.
Trainer Premierships
“I was determined to win a trainers’ premiership,” Neville recalled. “It was the focus of my attention. I drew with Lou and was disappointed I had to share the honours. Then Frank Maynard Snr was the following season and then Lou took five in a row. I wondered if I would ever win.” Parnham need not have worried. He has won a record 12 outright Trainers’ Premierships and his success keeps growing.