Richard Collett
Richard was born into a racing family, his parents, Don and Dorothy Collett, establishing Nottingham Park Stud on the outskirts of Gore standing stallions and running a successful racing team.
After leaving school Richard rode as a success jumps jockey and worked alongside his father's racing team. In 1982 Richard jointed his joined his father's training partnership, eventually moving north in 1986 to Pukekohe where he was employed to train fillies for Clearwood Stud. After a couple of successful years training under the umbrella of the listed public company, while still continuing to ride winners of fences on the majority of the northern region tracks. Richard retired from riding aged 26 and purchased the picturesque property, which is know known as the Collett Racing Stables, after the company fell into receivership.
Richards stables have always had a high winning strike rate and won the Lord Strike Rate away in 1997-98 season for NZ. He has also been the leading trainer based t Counties from 2009 based on wins. The stables most successful season to date was in 2009 season winning 53 races and Richard is closing in on a career total of almost 700 wins.
Richard is a Class A Registered Trainer and an authorised syndicator with NZ Thoroughbred Racing.
After leaving school Richard rode as a success jumps jockey and worked alongside his father's racing team. In 1982 Richard jointed his joined his father's training partnership, eventually moving north in 1986 to Pukekohe where he was employed to train fillies for Clearwood Stud. After a couple of successful years training under the umbrella of the listed public company, while still continuing to ride winners of fences on the majority of the northern region tracks. Richard retired from riding aged 26 and purchased the picturesque property, which is know known as the Collett Racing Stables, after the company fell into receivership.
Richards stables have always had a high winning strike rate and won the Lord Strike Rate away in 1997-98 season for NZ. He has also been the leading trainer based t Counties from 2009 based on wins. The stables most successful season to date was in 2009 season winning 53 races and Richard is closing in on a career total of almost 700 wins.
Richard is a Class A Registered Trainer and an authorised syndicator with NZ Thoroughbred Racing.
Judy Collett
Judy is an intricate part of the Collett Racing Stables running the day to day operations at the stables, looking after horses and their owners on race day, being straper, riding track work, and taking care of and mentoring young apprentice jockeys. Judy often travels with horses within New Zealand and accompanies them to Australia and has a very good eye for detail, ensuring nothing is missed on race day.
Judy was originally from Riccardon, daughter of jumpy jockey Ronny Hawes. She was an apprentice to South Island trainer Jimmy Tonkinson and went on to ride over 70 winners. Her most famous riding success was on Hint, who won 9 races and was the South Island Filly of the year in 1989, and Uppercut who won the South Island Handicap.
Broodmare of the year has been nominated to Judy several times, being mother to three successful jockeys, Tasha, Jason and Alysha Collett.
Judy was originally from Riccardon, daughter of jumpy jockey Ronny Hawes. She was an apprentice to South Island trainer Jimmy Tonkinson and went on to ride over 70 winners. Her most famous riding success was on Hint, who won 9 races and was the South Island Filly of the year in 1989, and Uppercut who won the South Island Handicap.
Broodmare of the year has been nominated to Judy several times, being mother to three successful jockeys, Tasha, Jason and Alysha Collett.