ABOUT
WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Jason Bridgman’s record speaks for itself. He has trained three age-group champions, four group-
one winners, and won 35 stakes races in 10 years.
Now in Victoria to continue his globe-trotting training career, New Zealand's leading trainer, Jason Bridgman is ready to make waves in Australia's thoroughbred racing heartland.
WHO WE ARE
Formidable leading New Zealand trainer with a high strake rate of winners over the past 10 years.
An outstanding horseman in her own right, Stacey has lived and breathed thoroughbred training and racing since a young age.
TIMELINE
1992 - 1994
FIRST JOB IN RACING
Whilst attending university and studying a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture at Massey University, Jason Bridgman took up his very first job as a part-time stablehand, working for Noel Eales on weekends. The legendary New Zealand trainer trained 1,352 winners over five decades. It would be the beginning of a lengthy 10-year apprenticeship that would take him across the world.
1995 - 2000
FOREMAN LIFE COMMENCES
Having gained priceless experience under New Zealand's finest trainer, Jason Bridgman spent a five-year period within the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing scene as foreman at various stables.
2000-2001
THE EUROPEAN ADVENTURE BEGINS
With five years of experience under his belt, Jason Bridgman packed up and bought a one-way ticket to Europe in a bid to further his knowledge. During this time, Bridgman worked throughout England, Ireland and France for popular trainers Clive Brittain out of Newmarket, Dermot Weld from Curragh and Francois Doumen in Chantilly.
2001-2005
LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
With European experience under his belt, Bridgman continued his globe-trotting adventure, this time settling in the United States where he made seven-time American horse trainer of the year, Todd Pletcher's stables his home. His time in America wasn't limited to just Saratoga in New York. Bridgman headed south to Dale Romans' stable, gaining valuable experience at Churchill Downs - the racetrack most famous for annually hosting the Kentucky Derby as well as internationally renowned Keeneland.
2005-2008
HOMEWARD BOUND
2005 marked a special year for Jason Bridgman. Having returned from five years abroad, Bridgman had gained enough experience and knowledge to begin a training partnership back in his home country of New Zealand with Graeme Richardson. It was in this period the combination of Bridgman and Richardson bagged their first winner, which would be the first of many for the duo.
2008
BRIDGMAN RACING IS BORN
After 16 years in the caper, it was time for Bridgman to establish his own stable. Bridgman Racing was born and his globetrotting credentials attracted the support of breeders and owners, and he established himself in the ranks of New Zealand’s top trainers.
2010
TE AKAU RACING COMES KNOCKING
After just two years out on his own, leading New Zealand stable Te Akau Racing came knocking, and it was an offer too good to refuse for Bridgman. Bridgman, who was considered already one of New Zealand's best horsemen took the reins from Mark Walker, and it would begin a run of success not even Bridgman would see coming.
2010-2015
GROUP 1 VICTORY
Heading up New Zealand's leading stable, Te Akau Racing, Bridgman would experience success that he was born to experience. In his five-year stint, Bridgman trained no less than four Group 1 winners (Kings Rose, Warhorse, Rock 'n' Pop and Costa Viva) amongst 35 stakes wins. Included in his stunning run, Bridgman was accredited for training not one, but two Fillies of the Year (Costa Viva and Kings Rose), and also took out NZ Two Year Old of the year with Warhorse.
2015-
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
After five year's running New Zealand's leading stable, Bridgman made the call to once again pack up and leave New Zealand with his wife Stacey and their two children. The Bridgman's settled on arguably the world's thoroughbred racing capital, Victoria where Bridgman Racing resides currently at Racing.com Park, 50 minutes from the Melbourne CBD.
