“I finished with the Schumachers and then came down to Waverley to work for John Boon, who was getting to the point where he was cutting down and looking at retiring. He said to me, ‘Why don’t I lease the place?’. I leased it for four years and my partner and I bought it a couple of years ago.”
Hocquard is now in her seventh season of training and was pleased to record her second win of the season at New Plymouth last Saturday courtesy of Spencer in the UBP LTD (1100-metre).
The victory was made even sweeter given it was for her former employer, Aidan Schumacher.
“[Spencer] is a nice horse and he tries hard. It was nice to get the win for the owners - I used to work for them. They have looked after me, so it is good they are finally getting more winners,” Hocquard said.
Hocquard is enjoying working with her small team in Southern Taranaki and said she is appreciative of the support she has received in helping establish her training career.
“I am working eight at the moment, but I have got quite a few of my own waiting to come in, along with a few young ones. Robbie Patterson sends me a few pre-trainers, so it is great that my old bosses are supporting me. Mark [Corcoran, Grangewilliam Stud principal] has also been great, and I was lucky enough to get a couple of Derryns from him.”
Hocquard has also delved into breeding, having retained Justa Small Ransom, who gave her her first win as a trainer.
“Justa Small Ransom was the first horse I trained. She won three races and she was my first winner,” she said.
“I didn’t want to get rid of her as she had looked after me, so I thought I would breed from her. I have sent her to The Bold One a couple of times; I quite like him. I sold The Bold One [Brave Star] to Australia and he has won a couple more over there.”
Hocquard is enjoying her best season to date and is hoping to build on that momentum in the new term.
