Mark Jones Racing Profile
Winning combination, Sam Ottley and Overport Lodge trainer, Mark Jones.
After conquering the world stage as a driver in 2003, Mark Jones is now applying the same determination and skills to reach the top as a trainer.
Mark, hugely successful as a junior and open driver, is now taking on the challenge of becoming one of NZ’s leading trainers. Now in his 5th season as a public trainer, he has been quick to find top results in his training role.
He trained five winners on a single night at Addington on May 1, 2009 _ Unqiue Star, Best Chance, OK Courage, Crystal Star and Alexis. This year has seen him train and drive a Group One winner _ the NZ Trotting Derby with top filly _ Shezoneoftheboyz _ and also rein the NZ Derby (pacing) winner Captain Peacock.
The Mark Jones Racing Stables was on a roll in 2009-10, preparing 52 wins. He has also had Group Three training-driving successes with Shezoneoftheboyz (Hambletonian Classic) and Crystal Star (Forbury 4YO Championship 2700m, and won mutlple provincial cups with promising stayer My Man Dan (Hororata, Waikouaiti & Marlborough Cups).
Mark’s team racked up another 51 wins for $342,542 in winnings in 2010-11, and attained similar results in 2011-12, hitting 51 wins for a second consecutive year, for $390,040 in stakes.
Mark’s strong work ethic and natural ability has seen him get to the top as a driver, and now trainer. Mark notched his first career driving win at his 3rd racedrive attempt at Waterlea, Blenheim, scoring by 2 lengths in November 1996 with Lord Phantom, trained by father Peter.
In 1999 he won the Australasian Young Drivers Championship, then a years later, in his last as a junior before Harness Racing NZ decreed he should lose his junior status for being too successful, he reined 100 winners in a season for the first time. Twelve months later, in his first term as an open driver, Mark won the NZ Drivers Premiership with 116 wins _ at the time a record for a South Island-based driver.
At 22, he also became the youngest driver by a few months to win a NZ Drivers Premiership, eclipsing Maurice Holmes, who won his first premiership at the same age in 1931. At the end of that memorable 2000-2001 season, Mark enjoyed a memorable night at Moonee valley, Melbourne, winning both the Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO Fillies Final with Sparks A Flyin, and 3YO Trotters Final behind Locofoco.
“The media were bagging me in Aussie so to do that was best way to shut them up,” he laughed.
Mark, who was driving horses solo from the age of eight, coudn’t help being successful.He is the fresh face among a long-running successful harness racing legacy of his late grand-fathers Derek Jones and Reg Stockdale, father Peter Jones, and cousins Anthony and Tim Butt. Outside his own family involvment, Mark has also gained experience working for Bob Negus, Brian O’Meara, Cran Dalgety and Bruce Negus.
Mark Jones Personality Profile
PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS: Bob Negus, Brian O’Meara, Peter Jones, Bruce Negus, David Butt, Cran Dalgety, also time with Brett Pelling (US) and Brian Hancock (Aust).
FIRST DRIVING WIN: Lord Phantom, Waterlea, Blenheim (November 1996).
CAREER DRIVING WINS: 1334 NZ wins.
NZ DRIVING STAKES-WINNIINGS: $11,150,104
FIRST TRAINING WIN: Man O Man (Oamaru, Sept 22, 2002).
CAREER TRAINING WINS: 143 (51 last season).
BIGGEST DRIVING WINS: 2010 NZ Derby (Captain Peacock), 2010 NZ Trotting Derby (Shezoneotheboyz), 2001 Breeders Crown double (Sparks A Flyin, Locofoco), 2001 NSW Oaks (Sparks A Flyin), 2007 NZ Free-For-All (Waipawa Lad), 2008 PGG Wrightson NZ 2YO Yearling Sales Pace (Five Star Anvil), 2001 Nevele R Fillies Final (Sparks A Flyin), 2008 Nevele R Fillies Final (Badlands Jewel), 2007 $117,000 (Listed) PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales NHT 2YO Pace (Lethal Rocket), 2005 $126,757 (Listed) PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales Fillies (3YO) Pace (Life Of Luxury).
BIGGEST TRAINING WINS: 2010 NZ Trotting Derby & Hambletonian Classic (Shezoneotheboyz), 2010 Forbury 4YO Championship (Crystal Star).
BIGGEST THRILL: Winning the World Drivers series, driving first Group 1 for Dean Taylor, seeing happy owners.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Some terrible JCA decisions.
BEST HORSE SEEN: Lyell Creek
BEST HORSE DRIVEN: Lyell Creek, Christian Cullen.
FAVOURITE TRACK: Nelson.
FAVOURITE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT: Pull-down blinds.
FAVOURITE FOOD: Subway
SPORTING INTERESTS: Boxing, rugby, touch rugby, squash, couch, socalising!
FAVOURITE MUSIC ARTIST: Little River Band.
FAVOURITE TV SHOW: Trackside.
NEXT AMBITION: Win more group races training and driving.
ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IN HARNESS RACING: “Smaller intervals at meetings, more chances for poorer horses and stakes to increase.”