Record: Pete McMullen is poised to smash the record of youngest driver to reach 1000 victories
Pete McMullen is cool under pressure.
Even last week, he proved he’s got ice running through his veins when he tied the knot with his longtime partner, Chantal Turpin at the Gold Coast and cruised through the day with ease.
But his nerve on the track is what sets him apart from most.
At the age of 23, the third generation horseman is set to smash the record currently held by Bathurst/Shepparton based Amanda Turnbull by becoming the youngest driver to reach 1000 wins.
Turnbull registered the mark when successful aboard Forever Texas at Peak Hill back in June at the age of 24 years and four months.
The previous record was held by Western Australia’s Morgan Woodley who was 24 years and eight months.
Other young guns who reached four figures early in their career include Luke McCarthy (25 years, one month and two days) in December 2007, Kerryn Manning (25 years, eight months and seven days) in March 2002, Gary Hall Jr (26 years, seven months and 17 days) in March 2009, Greg Sugars (26 years, eight months and seven days) in June 2011, and Chris Alford (27 years, five months and 26 days) in November 1995.
McMullen celebrated his 23rd birthday in August.
At the time of writing, the skilled reinsman sits with 971 lifetime victories and obviously has abundant time on his side as he chases down the record.
“The record is something I’m very aware of and it will be a huge milestone, it’s something that has been in the back of my mind for a little while now and my family and friends keep a bit of tally.” McMullen said.
Since commencing his race driving career back in the 2007/08 season after graduating from the mini trots, winners have flowed consistently during his time on the racetrack.
His first driving success came at the Rocklea Showgrounds aboard Melton Royal Bonny on January 12, 2008.
During his first season of driving, he managed to land 29 winners.
Since then, his season hauls have been 92, 147, 191, 162, 159 and 174.
Already this season, he has 17 winners on the board.
Over the last four seasons, only Grant Dixon has stood in his way from claiming the state driving premiership.
During his short but spectacular career in the bike, McMullen has achieved plenty.
Driving at the famed Meadowlands racetrack in North America back in 2009 and competing against the likes of John Campbell and Ron Pierce.
His best finish from a handful of drives was third on Stacked Deck.
Also in 2009 at the tender age of 18, McMullen competed in the Gold Coast Inter Dominion series driving for father John and Grandfather John C. McMullen with Riverboat Star.
McMullen has also represented his home state of Queensland in the Australasian Young Drivers Championship, the 2010 series was held in Sydney.
But his biggest achievement came earlier this year when taking a phone call from champion Perth based trainer Gary Hall and being offered the drive on his superstar pacer Im Themightyquinn during his Brisbane winter carnival campaign.
McMullen sat behind the $4.56 million earner in a trial at Albion Park when he paced in 1;51.9 before getting the call-up on race night on July 12 only to be beaten narrowly behind Suave Stuey Lombo.
“Driving a horse like Quinnie was unbelievable; I was in shock when I got off the phone from Gary Hall and when he asked me to drive him I couldn’t believe it but it was such a thrill, a dream to drive and memories that will last forever.
“My next aim is to drive a horse like him again, Quinnie is one of a kind but hopefully one day I can sit behind something that possesses similar speed and power. This is a business about opportunity and you never know what’s around the corner.
“I’ve been lucky to get some wonderful opportunities during my career to date but this is what I love doing, this is my business and this is my life. I wouldn’t swap it for anything.”
It looks certain that McMullen will break the record by the end of this year and it just underlines how big a year 2012 has been for McMullen because his now wife Chantal also registered his first century season as a trainer.
The young couple train a team of their own horses at Patrick Estate, west of Brisbane, and have built up a strong ownership group headed by leviathan owners Kevin and Kay Seymour.
It’s all about winners for Pete McMullen, and lots of them.
