It's time the racing industry put a leash on that black dog

Imagine not being able to sleep for weeks on end. Unable to turn your brain off and constantly doing ‘head miles’. Having no appetite and dropping weight as if you were wasting to ride a three-year-old filly in the Cox Plate.

Trying to convince yourself there’s a reason to get out of bed. Feeling as though the world is passing you by quicker than Black Caviar when Luke Nolen let her go.

These are just some of my experiences living with a mental illness.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2011, but it’s doubtless the ‘black dog’ has been an unwanted companion of mine for much of my 34 years.

So, the increasing prevalence of mental illness within the racing industry – an industry I love and am involved in – really struck a chord with me.

Mental illness does not discriminate. It doesn’t care whether you’re an actor, athlete, doctor, lawyer, or housewife. It has no interest in where you’re from, how old you are, your sex, marital status, or how much money you earn.

The World Health Organisation states: “One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives.”

So, while saddened, I wasn’t at all surprised to read several high-profile trainers have admitted the black dog has been hanging around their backyard, too. Or they believe it’s an issue rife in the industry that needs addressing.

Lee Freedman, Tony Vasil and John Sadler are all very accomplished, successful, trainers in Australia. They also have something else in common – they’ve all had a run in with that nasty black dog. Let me assure you this canine certainly isn’t man’s best friend.

This trio of trainers aren’t bush battlers hoping a five-year-old gelding from their yard cracks it for his first win at start number 12 in a $15,000 maiden at Donald on a Monday.

Freedman is one of the greatest trainers Australia has seen. Now retired from training, the 57-year-old has won Australia’s greatest race, the Melbourne Cup, five times – second only to the great Bart Cummings (12).

A seven-time winner of the Melbourne Trainers’ Premiership, the Hall of Famer has handled some of the greatest gallopers ever to grace the turf in Australia, including; Mahogany, Naturalism, Super Impose, Doriemus, and Makybe Diva, to name just a few.

In October 2013, Freedman, winner of 124 Group 1 contests, said: “The view from those lofty heights is beautiful and intoxicating but it doesn’t last long and the descent is arduous. My marriage was over and that bought on bouts of severe depression. I turned to the bottle for some kind of answer.”

Vasil, meanwhile, hasn’t enjoyed the same amount of success as Freedman, but has done very well.

Elvstroem and Haradasun were both champions who took on the world – and won – under Vasil’s tutelage.

The former won 10 of his 32 starts, including the 2003 Victoria Derby, 2004 Caulfield Cup, and 2005 Dubai Duty Free Stakes in Dubai, all Group 1 races, and amassed $5.7 million in stakes.

Haradasun, Elvstroem’s half-brother, won seven times from 18 starts for career earnings of $2.7 million. Notable Group 1 victories for the son of Fusaichi Pegasus were the Doncaster Handicap and George Ryder Stakes in 2007, and the 2008 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in England.

Two months ago, Vasil revealed he’s suffering from acute depression. “I have had my days where simply getting out of bed has been a chore,” he said. “Like many of you I had really known nothing of depression and what it is capable of. Now I do. It is an awful, debilitating illness.”

Vasil, aware his professional life was suffering, made the brave decision to step away from work to seek professional treatment in Queensland. I did the same thing as Vasil in 2011 and trust me when I say ‘that’s the best move he could’ve made’.

The 51-year-old’s recovery appears to be going well. Last month, he said: “I’m here in Queensland, I’m getting the very best of help for my illness that is sometimes hard to identify. I can tell you, I’m still very fond of what I do, but I just want to beat this damn depression.”

From experience, there’s nothing more important, and I mean nothing, than getting yourself back on track. And thankfully for his sake, Vasil seems to be singing from the same hymn sheet. “I have still a lot to offer, but as those close to me have agreed, let’s get on top of the depression and beat that for once and for all,” he added.

Sadler is a multiple Group 1-winning trainer, who enjoyed stints in Dubai and as private trainer for leviathan owner, Lloyd Williams.

He claims that when he first suffered from depression four years ago he had no idea what was wrong with him.

Unfortunately for Sadler he recently experienced another episode.

“This time when I got it and it started to happen, other people realised before I did but then when I wanted to do every thing at a million miles an hour, I said to my partner: ‘This bloody black dog is back again’. And sure enough it had,” said Sadler.

Pleasingly, though, Sadler admits: “I’m not 100 per cent, but I’m pretty good and only getting better so I’m glad to be out of it, that’s for sure. I had it once before and you wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy. And I never want to have it again, I can tell you.”

Top Queensland trainer, Robert Heathcote, is another who recently spoke of the ridiculously hectic and taxing lifestyle of a trainer.

I spoke to Heathcote to get a better understanding of what he meant.

“Primarily it’s the relentlessness of the industry. It doesn’t stop. It’s 24 hours [a day], seven days [a week], and 52 weeks of the year. It’s just relentless, particularly if you’re a larger trainer,” Heathcote told me.

“I’ve long put in 16-hour days, seven days a week. To be successful in this industry you pretty much have to do that. You have to be a workaholic.”

Heathcote is not long off the best spring carnival of any Queensland trainer in history, with stable star, Buffering, picking up three successive Group 1 triumphs (Manikato Stakes, VRC Spring Classic, and Winterbottom Stakes).

“After having such a successful spring, sure the bank balance swells and financially it’s quite lucrative, but we as trainers don’t tend to look after ourselves as much as what we should,” he added.

“We don’t take holidays as regularly as what we should. It is something that I’ve tried to do the last seven years is take an annual holiday, a minimum of three weeks. And I didn’t do that these last two years and it’s certainly caught up with me.”

I asked Heathcote what can be done to alleviate some of the pressures on trainers, such as reverting to Sunday being a non-race day. “Personally I would be in favour of [no racing on Sunday’s],” the trainer explained.

“I would like to see what Hong Kong do and have a break for three or four weeks during the off-period of the year. But realistically, is that feasible; is it possible with the economics of the industry and the keen competitiveness of the gambling dollar? Once upon a time racing was the primary source of gambling whereas nowadays it’s probably the minority.”

Trainers aren’t the only ones within the industry forced to do it tough. I’ve often marveled at how pint-sized jockeys, weighing less than 60 kilograms, can control 500+ kilogram beasts, fuelled by a daily diet of food that could fit in the palm of your hand.

Heathcote, too, is empathetic to the jockeys’ lifestyle.

“During the time that I’ve been in Queensland I’m aware of a number of jockeys who have taken their own lives. Keith Mahoney and Neil Williams [are two I know of]. The demands the industry places on the jockey… it’s extraordinary what they have to do to their bodies to work in this industry.”

Is it really necessary for minimum riding weights to be so low? What harm can be done in raising the levels nationally?

The racing fraternity was shaken to the core last week with the tragic passing of top young jockey, Nathan Berry. At just 23, Berry lost his life to an acute form of epilepsy.

If ever there was a wake-up call to remind the industry it should be doing everything within its powers to create a healthy, safe environment for its constituents that is it.

This issue, as complex as it is, can be addressed. Eradicated? No. But measures put in place to minimise the impact? Most definitely, yes.

These people are the heart and soul of the industry. They deserve nothing less.

While I don’t pretend to have all the answers, I suggest racing in Australia take a look at other models around the world. Hong Kong for example, as Heathcote alluded. It can’t continue like this.

Looking at other sports could also prove beneficial.

The AFL, for example, through the courage and bravery of now-retired players including Nathan Thompson, Wayne Schwass, and Heath Black, as well as the efforts of Jeff Kennett, former Hawthorn President, now Beyond Blue Chairman, has raised the awareness of and broken down the stigma associated with mental illness.

The AFL Players’ Association has worked in conjunction with HealthMaps to develop the PlayWell project, which helps players deal with the inevitable stresses that come with the job.

I contacted the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) to find out if there was anything similar already in place, or being developed, for their members.

A excerpt of a statement sent to me by John Alducci, Chief Executive (ATA), reads: “The recent high profile incidents of stress-related illness among trainers have been the subject of discussion among the ATA executive and we have decided to seek a professional partner to provide assistance to members. We are initiating contact with professional organisations, and once we have agreed with a partner or partners on the type of assistance they can offer, we will provide this information to our members and the industry.”

It’s pleasing to know the revelations of Freedman and Co have been discussed around the board table and that the ATA are seeking help from industry leaders.

There’s no shame in admitting you don’t have the answers. There is, however, in putting the issue in the ‘too hard basket’.

I believe, and sincerely hope, the statement from the ATA isn’t lip service for I fear that unless the industry takes immediate action this widespread problem will become a crisis.

What do you think? Do you agree, and if so, have you any suggestions for what the industry can do?