Dennis trains his horses from his picturesque property at Normanville, located only 45 minutes from the centre of Adelaide.

Having no more than 15 horses in work at one time, he can give each one the individual attention they need. A number of horses he has had success with would probably have failed in  a larger stable, because they required time and patience to have problems analysed and needed specific training. This kind of training not only benefits their fitness but is outstanding for the wellbeing and the psyche of the horse. 

 

 

He does not over-race horses and prefers them to be still going 

at the age of 10 years and over.

For further details click on the different pictures

 

 

Dennis O’Leary has trained thoroughbreds at Normanville for over twenty years. His property is well- equipped to provide the ideal environment for the education and training of the thoroughbred. The horses are able to undertake their training in quiet, comfortable and relaxed surroundings and they have the comforts of spacious yards with shelters and grass paddocks. Horses will reach their highest potential when they are in their most natural environment.

 

Horses can undertake their entire program, up to and including slow work, on the property. The property facilities include:

 

  •          Yards for 15 horses

  •          Fully enclosed round yard (for lunging and breaking in)

  •          Horse walking machine

  •          Sand training track

  •          Barriers (for educational purposes)

  •          Turn-out paddocks

  •          10 Minutes to Normanville Beach (for swimming and slow, up to pace work)

  •          45 minutes to Morphetville racecourse (for fast work and barrier trials)

 

All Dennis O’Leary-trained horses are treated as individuals and their respective needs catered for.

 

We can name numerous horses which have come to us as problem horses, but which have settled after being with us for a few weeks enjoying the rural environment away from the stress-full racetrack atmosphere.

 

Each horse will have designed for them a special program to suit their needs. Our facilities give us the opportunity to provide the late-maturing horse with the time they need. So many young horses are ruined by modern intensive training techniques.

 

We ride the horses in general purpose saddles, which are much kinder on a horse’s back and allow the horse to be ridden classically, therefore maintaining better balance. A great deal of time is spent on working out the right equipment for each horse, such as the bridle or the bit.

 

We have the capacity to provide most of our own horse transport. Owners can be safe in the knowledge that their horses are transported safely, cleanly and comfortably. Transportation costs are not included in our monthly training fees, but prices are extremely competitive.

 

A more beautiful and tranquil setting for racehorses would be hard to find.

 
Dennis trains his horses after the New Zealand Method, out of Paddocks. This way, horses don't get bored in their yards, are free to move around and therefore are much happier. Even nervous or difficult horses settle and become much easier to handle.

 

In February 2003 Dennis installed an Irongate horse walking machine which is capable of taking up to 8 horses at variable pace. This has been a great addition to his facilities, allowing him to maintain fitness in the horses through extended walking.

It is also an excellent means of warming horses up before work, giving them some exercise in the afternoon or building-up horses that come from a spell or are recovering from an injury. The horses seem to find it quite enjoyable too!

 
Dennis' property contains a number of turn-out paddocks that are used on a daily basis, as he is a great believer in turning the horses out for an hour or two in the afternoon. Keeping the horses happy in their mind is the hardest part of training. Many horses find it an essential part of their training regime to be turned-out and given a chance to relax. Seeing them enjoying the freedom and each other's company as they amble about the paddocks confirms this theory.

 

The Normanville Beach is within easy reach, only about 800 meters away from the property, and is regularly used for work. That half mile walk gives the horses an ideal warm up before commencing valuable pace work in quiet, comfortable and relaxed surroundings on the 2 km long sandy beach, followed by long walks in the sea.

But Dennis not only uses the beach to work the horses he also takes them there for a relaxing ride on their day off or after a hard days work such as a gallop or a race.

 
The barriers are mainly used for educational purposes with young horses and horses with barrier problems. They are used on a daily basis creating confidence in the horse that there is nothing frightening about them. Dennis specialises in this area is proud to say that many difficult horses have become easy to handle, even on race days. 

 

The Normanville Beach is only 10 Minutes away. Thus it is easy to give the horses valuable swimming sessions to supplement their fitness regimes.

Swimming is a great alternative for the horses. It takes the pressure off their legs and is therefore well-suited for young horses and horses with leg problems. It is also very refreshing, especially on hot summer days and the salt water is good for their skin and speeds up the healing process of any cuts and injuries.

 
Working horses up hills not only benefits their fitness, strengthens their legs and builds up muscles, it provides a valuable change of scenery for the horses and the chance to determine the optimum surface for each individual horse.

 
We utilise both the Morphetville and Strathalbyn racetracks for the last few gallops or barrier trials before the horses are ready to race. They are usually fit by the time they get to the race course. This way they have the balance of city facilities with country atmosphere, and the close proximity to Adelaide allows them to be back out in the paddock within an hour or two after track work or a race.