Former high profile thoroughbred trainer now greyhound owner Don Baertschiger enjoyed success last Thursday night at Sandown Park when Diamonds On Fire claimed victory.
Diamond On Fire’s win was one of the more impressive of the night, coming from behind to win in a respectable 29.84.
Baertschiger wasn’t able to make it to the track on race night however watched on keenly at his Southbank home.
“I’m still on antibiotics so I wasn’t able to make it to the track last night. He went well, we were pretty excited watching him at home on TV,” said Baertschiger.
Baertschiger began his racing life with thoroughbreds at the age of 14 before adopting the lead and collar training a greyhound four years later. Shortly after he returned to thoroughbred racing.
“I trained at Caulfield, Epsom and as time went on I moved to Kuala Lumpur to train, spent five years there then 15 years at the Singapore Turf Club. I trained about 1000 winners over there.
“I had some good success in Australia as well, I won a Mooney Valley Cup and ran 5th in the the first million dollar Melbourne Cup.”
Upon retirement Baertschiger handed the training reins to his son, Shane. Retired and living in metropolitan Melbourne, Baertschiger and his wife Sally were in need of a hobby.
“We still have a keen interest in the racing over there. My wife and I are retired and live in Southbank, we wanted a bit of a hobby so we got into greyhound racing.”
Along with Diamond On Fire, Baertschiger also part owns smart sprinter Shanakee who was a gutsy winner yesterday at Sandown Park.
Diamond On Fire salutes in 29.84
