Tom Carberry isn’t in a rush to grow his stable’s numbers, despite heightened interest off the back of a breakthrough Group 1 win in the VRC Oaks.
The Ballarat horseman who, along with his wife, Monique, operates a boutique stable of 10 horses, landed the biggest win of his career via an incredible training performance with Strictly Business at Flemington.
At her fourth career start – and her third run in 13 days – the filly stormed home from the rear of the field to record one of the most comprehensive victories in a spring classic this century.
While there is a temptation to use the success to chase new owners and be a little more aggressive at the yearling sales in 2026, Carberry doesn’t want growth to come at the expense of his hands-on approach.
Of course, offers of new business will always be tabled but he’s mindful of maintaining a quality over quantity approach.
“That probably is a very important aspect of our business, that we are able to do things very hands on and manage horses very closely,” Carberry said.
“The worry with growing your numbers quickly is that you just can’t give the horses the same level of VIP treatment.”
“We try to treat every horse as a Group 1 horse and we want to maintain that service and style of training.”
“We enjoy it and, while it’s not easy work, we like that aspect of it. The personal aspect of how we run the business won’t change.”
“It’s still a bit overwhelming but if the shoe fits (as a G1-winning trainer), we’ll wear it.”
Carberry reported that Strictly Business will spend the rest of the spring and the first weeks of summer in the paddock before being prepared for an autumn campaign that will likely be geared around another classic race.
Which Oaks that is remains up for discussion but Carberry said the initial thought is that G1 options in Adelaide in late April and early May could suit the daughter of Grunt.
“It’s still hard to put a figure or a handle on what she is because it’s not so much about what she is now but what she could be in six or 12 months,” he said.
“It’s scary and exciting at the same time.”
“We’ve been discussing it (autumn campaign) a lot and I think our main thing will be to keep her in a good place.”
“We’re considering everything but maybe we’re thinking Sydney might not be the best option for her. You don’t know what the conditions are going to be but history says the ground can be very testing. Whether it would be better to try to head towards Adelaide and look at the races that are there that head towards the Oaks.”
“I know it can be soft there too but you would expect they’d be a little better than Sydney.”
Carberry said the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup success of Half Yours, trained by his Ballarat peers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, was a timely bit of motivation for the filly’s spring prospects in 2026 and 2027.
“You can fall into the trap and believe that you have to have an import with a European staying pedigree and European form to be a realistic chance in the Cup,” he said.
“The McEvoys showed us that everyone has a shot, winning it with the only Australian-bred horse in the race.”
“It’s (Caulfield and Melbourne Cups) all a little bit of a dream at the moment but at least we can give it some thought now anyway.”
