We’re fresh into a New Year. Could 2026 be even bigger and better for the Turpin/McMullen stable?
The husband-and-wife combination of Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen experienced some unbelievable highs during the recently concluded season, which resulted in another hugely successful metropolitan season plus, and most importantly, international success via star trotter Gus.
In recent years, the burgeoning stable has directed their attention to high-end racing at the home of harness racing in the Sunshine State, Albion Park, and cater for most areas ranging from older open class talent (pacers and trotters) to the lucrative stakes racing for juveniles.
Their depth runs deep. And it was on full display when the incredibly gifted trotter Gus ventured to Christchurch during Cup week in November to claim a unique Group 1 double.
Gus prevailed in the country’s biggest trotting feature, the Dominion, before backing up days later to win the NZ Trotting Free-For-All on Show Day.
It was the first time the couple had campaigned a horse on international soil, and it only whetted their appetite.
They plan on heading back across the ditch, this time targeting the North Island with Cambridge locked in as the destination.
Gus will return for the Trot Slot feature while The Janitor, another emerging star within the stable, will accompany him and focus on the pacing slot feature.
The $1 million Race by Betcha and the $600,000 TAB Trot will headline the Night of Champions at Cambridge Raceway on April 10.
While the deeds and exploits of Gus have been well documented in recent times, what do we know about the pacing talent of The Janitor?
Well, interestingly, there are very similar parallels between both horses.
Both horses hail from the deep south of New Zealand and both horses were spotted by Geoff Gibson-Smith at varying times.
The highly respected Southland Bloodstock agent brokered both deals. Gus was purchased by Albion Park committeeman Ross Patrick while reigning Albion Park Owner of the Year Craig Whiteoak purchased The Janitor.
Both Brisbane-based owners have purchased loads of horses via the keen eye of Gibson-Smith over the years and with considerable success.
Gibson-Smith deals with a large clientele group and has negotiated several big deals to Australian owners and trainers over the years including the likes of champion Perth horseman Gary Hall and Victorian-based owner Merv Butterworth.
But his Queensland strike rate only continues to grow, mainly thanks to the Turpin/McMullen stable. And if Gus and The Janitor continue in their current trajectory, who knows what the future holds.
“Geoff has been an awesome help for the stable’s success, he’s a good friend of Dad (Tony) and just has a happy knack for finding the right horse, and mostly with a moderate budget,” Turpin explained.
“I wouldn’t know how many he has sold to our clients over the years, but I could probably tell you how many haven’t won races. His strike rate is excellent. He’s measured and laid back but knows how to cut a deal.”
The Janitor was bought as an unraced two-year-old following a tidy trial at Winton on November 3, 2023, where he finished as the runners-up behind Wild Bull (a winner of six Victorian races to date) in a time of 1:58.7 for the 1609m workout.
The Always B Miki – Weka Lass gelding was then prepared by Lauren Pearson, a talented horseperson who was based on the Gold Coast many years ago and enjoyed success at the now defunct Parklands track.
A deal was struck and Whiteoak stepped up as the purchaser.
“I had zero hesitation buying The Janitor. I liked him the first time I saw him, so that part was easy. I gave Geoff a brief and he fitted the criteria very well, he’s awesome like that,” Whiteoak explained.
“Geoff is an excellent judge of a horse, but what I have appreciated the most is his willingness to share his knowledge with me and further educate me, which has been very beneficial. I enjoy catching up every time he makes a trip to Brisbane and Albion Park.”
The Janitor was beaten at his first start on January 30, 2024, an Albion Park debut which is best forgotten given the dramas he’s encountered - he galloped at the start before locking wheels and breaking again when unplaced as favourite.
He atoned the following week when scoring decisively in a time of 1:56.8 for the 2138m event before being turned out for a brief let-up.
Upon returning, across a five-start campaign, he scored three wins and two placings, all at Albion Park before being given the opportunity to tackle the feature events during the Constellations carnival.
The Janitor was unplaced in both the Southeast (In Excess) and Queensland Derby (Major Hot) features, but McMullen blames himself for disappointing drives.
Following another brief let-up, The Janitor recorded back-to-back Albion Park victories before connections decided to test him in the Victoria Derby series at Melton.
The Janitor was unplaced but far from disgraced in the heat won by Miki To Success in a slowly run event.
Another pair of Albion Park victories in November plus a second-place finish behind Queensland Oaks winner and now North American-based Aardie B Miki in a time of 1:50.5 (fastest ever time recorded by a three-year-old filly at Albion Park) ended his three-year-old term.
An opportunity to contest the Group 1 Chariots at Menangle came early during his four-year-old season, which resulted in a first-up victory in 1:49.6 before producing an unlucky effort the following week in the Paleface Adios Stakes (Chariots qualifier) when a fast-finishing fifth behind Our Luciano in 1:49.8 after starting from gate 10.
A fortnight later on Miracle Mile race night, The Janitor crushed his rivals again over 2300m rating a solid 1:53.4, winning the Junior Free-for-all.
Returning to Brisbane in readiness for the Constellations, The Janitor continued with excellent form and was beaten in the Group 1 Rising Sun and Kevin Thomas 4YO feature before winning the 4YO Championship easily over Major Hot in a time of 1:53.2 for 2138m.
Six weeks later, The Janitor scored an emphatic Open class victory at Albion Park before heading back to Menangle for the Group 1 Len Smith Mile in September but was unplaced behind Cya Art, Captains Knock and Eye Keep Smiling in a time of 1:47.5 after making a rare error at the start but still finishing right on the back of rivals and beating home a few others.
Returning for the new-look Starlights summer carnival, The Janitor scored in the Listed Be Good Johnny Sprint before producing a pair of herculean efforts in the Group 2 Sunshine Sprint and Group 1 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship.
The Janitor sat parked outside Hi Manameisjeff in the Sunshine Sprint in a race record time of 1:49.3, finishing a gallant second before backing up the following week in the Grand Circuit event and being beaten a whisker behind Don Hugo and Leap To Fame in a time of 1:52.8 for the 2680m feature.
“He’s the best horse I’ve raced to date, no question, and I was absolutely delighted with his effort in the Blacks A Fake. We went toe to toe with a pair of modern-day greats which proved he belongs on the Grand Circuit stage,” Whiteoak said.
“There’s so much to look forward to this year, particularly the slot race at Cambridge in April (slot purchased) and then the Inter Dominion in July on our home turf. He’ll be a year older and more mature, so the best is still to come”
So, get ready, this could be the year that The Janitor could well and truly clean up his rivals.
Here’s hoping!
