Proven Thoroughbreds is delighted to announce Archie Alexander as our newest trainer.
Archie is the son of Hamish Alexander, who bought Epsom and Irish Derby winner Generous as a foal and is now working with UK salehouse Goffs. Naturally, there were plenty of sales catalogues throughout the house during Archie’s childhood and by the age of ten he had worked out the training caper was going to be his destiny.
Archie honed his craft with some of the world’s most renowned trainers before eventually deciding to set up shop in Ballarat, north west of Melbourne, where the facilities include day paddocks, treadmills and a unique straight incline track – ideal for preparing stayers.
Among Archie’s mentors were the legendary Aidan O’Brien in the UK, famous French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek (three-time Arc winner) and leading US horseman Todd Pletcher. With O’Brien, Archie was still only in his mid-twenties and working for one of the greatest racing empires in the world at Ballydoyle. This invaluable experience afforded him the chance to observe ‘the master of perfection’ at close quarters on a regular basis.
When Lloyd Williams invited him to become foreman and take part in the training of his large European team in Melbourne, Archie jumped at the chance. There, Archie saw Fawkner win the Caulfield Cup in the spring of 2013 and several other major successes.
Now with his own stables, Archie plans to mix the methods he has learned in Europe and Australia to create a winning formula. And since 2014, the rising star of the Victorian training ranks has won some of the most recognised races of the Melbourne spring carnival, including the Herbert Power Stakes with Lord Fandango and Sandown Cup with Renew.
A selection of yearlings purchased at the 2018 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale will be joining Archie – our first exclusive trainer in Victoria.