On debut in the saddle, jockey David O’Prey lost in a photo finish at Moonee Valley to four-time Melbourne Cup winner Harry White

Although a skilled horseman, O’Prey had to battle weight issues and eventually succumbed to being unable to maintain his riding weight.

As a result, he redirected his knowledge and experience into a career as a horse trainer, based at Wodonga in the early 1990s.

The man who as a boy rode horses at the back of his parents’ property in Maribyrnong and regularly played truant from school in preference for Flemington, has become a trusted trainer for some of the region’s prominent owners.

Local breeders Reg Ryan and Brian Curphey, who won the highly-sought after 2YO Magic Millions with Military Rose, continue to entrust their horses to O’Prey.

He has enjoyed Country Cup and metropolitan success with horses such as Miss Gundoring, Elizabethan, Baby Bomber and Stalusk.

O’Prey’s racing expertise was fostered by bookmaker and neighbour John Dow who led the young David to Flemington, before undertaking an apprenticeship with Bart Cummings.

His most successful horse has been the ‘awkward but efficient galloper’ Miss Gundowring.

From 17 starts, the locally owned mare won 7 races including 3 consecutive city wins at Caulfield and Moonee Valley.

He also triumphed at Australia’s most famous racecourse, Flemington, with four-time city winner Stalusk.

Locally, David’s achievements include training gelding Elizabethan to victory in the 2007 Wodonga Cup and producing Timed for the local 2YO classic, the Jack Maher, in 1997.

Across the border David won his first attempt at the Albury Gold Cup with Baby Bomber, who today, still holds the 2000 metre course record.