Caption: Young Bundaberg trainer Izzy Gilmartin with Sunburnt Ridge after a recent win at the track. (Photo: Uncle Rusty’s Photos)

By Pat McLeod

Teenager Izzy Gilmartin is making incredible strides in greyhound racing, leading the Bundaberg trainers’ premiership just eight months after gaining her licence.

At the 2024 half-yearly mark, Izzy, just 18 years old, leads the club’s trainers’ points tally with 186 points with Lucy Roche second on 178 points and Lindsay McCarthy (172) third.

“I was aware that I was doing OK in the trainers’ tally because I would check the points tables every now and again to see how my dogs are going,” said Izzy, who became a licensed trainer in November last year.

“It is great to be in that position because I really love being involved with the dogs.”

Izzy has a family history of greyhound involvement and says she has always enjoyed being around greyhounds.

She took out a handler’s licence in 2020.

“They are beautiful animals,” she says.

“They are so easy to be around. So gentle.

“More and more people are now getting to understand this breed and how loving they are.”

Izzy says she also enjoys the training side of the sport, but there is a balance.

“It is fantastic being around greyhounds a lot, but there is also plenty of hard work and responsibility.

“If you are working fulltime and training greyhounds it would be a very difficult balance.”

However, Izzy says it is the ‘highs’ of the industry that make it all worthwhile.

“Obviously when the dogs do well, maybe winning or placing, that is a very good feeling,” she said.

“But just seeing them do what they love doing, racing, is also so satisfying.

“You also learn that the more you give your dogs the more they give back. But again, it comes back to the type of animal they are and just how great they are to be around.”

Izzy said her learning curve as a trainer continues to be very steep, but says her advice to any other youngster in the industry is ‘don’t be afraid to ask questions’.

“That’s what I do. I ask a lot of questions,” she says.

“Other trainers are very helpful. You don’t have to do everything they suggest.

“I find it best to get all the information you can about whatever you are doing and then make up your own mind about what to do.”

Izzy currently has a kennel of five, with three dogs racing at the moment.

All three are in Monday’s Bundaberg program – Jilliby Junior in the first, Champagne Talks in the third and Kingsbrae Smokey in Race 7.

“The pick of them is Kingsbrae Smokey,” she said.

“He has only had a few wins, but a lot of placings. He is a very consistent dog. Very honest.

“He had had about 12 starts with Charlie Northfield (northern NSW) before I bought him for $3000 and that has proven to be a good buy.

“A good bread-and-butter dog, but he also loves plenty of attention. He becomes a bit of a sook if he doesn’t get his cuddles.”

Izzy says she is based out of Stephen Bland and Louise Cameron’s kennels at Goodwood, just south of Bundaberg.

“Lou and Steve have been a great help,” she said.

“It is very good be able to share ideas about training with people who have so much experience in the sport.”

Stephen Bland, who is the Bundaberg club president, said Izzy has ‘a big future’ in greyhound racing.

“It is great to see someone so young doing so well,” he said.

“What stands out about Izzy is her affinity with greyhounds. She loves being around them and they love her.

“I am sure she will have a big future in the sport.”

Leading the trainers’ premiership at each Queensland track at July 1 were: Albion Park – Cynthia Elson (1158 points); Ipswich – Ned Snow (746 pts); Capalaba – Tom Tzouvelis (334 pts); Bundaberg –  Izzy Gilmartin (186 pts); Rockhampton – Juanita Thompson (724 pts); Townsville – Bobbie-Jean Chaffey (1094 pts).