F Jett Turnbull was a yearling, he would be a sale topper.
To say the 17-year-old is bred in the purple is an understatement.
Turnbull is fifth generation harness racing and from one of the biggest, best, and iconic racing families in Australia.
There are literally Turnbulls everywhere and their success continues to grow as new generations emerge.
Jett is the latest of them.
He only had his first drive on July 19, 2023 – a day after turning 16 – and posted his 300th and by far biggest win in the $A100,000 TAB Regional Statewide final at Menangle last Saturday.
As you’d expect, it was a family affair and a very special one. The winner, four-year-old gelding Glitter And Gold, is trained by Jett’s father, Nathan.
“He’d won the Western Region final of the series, which was my biggest win and thrill at home (Bathurst, May 14), but this was next level,” Jett said.
“To go to Menangle, our main track, and team with Dad to win a race like that was very special.
“I’m certainly aware of the importance of winning races like that as far as opening opportunities for me at my age.”
Jett’s drive meant business.
“I had a lot of confidence in him, he’s a cool little horse who had to do his share of work to find the front and had his two main dangers stalking, but found plenty to hold them off,” he said.
There was an army of friends and family watching on proudly and excitedly.
One of them was Jett’s grandfather, the highly decorated Steve Turnbull. The 68-year-old has trained almost 4300 winners, but is best known as trainer-driver of the former superstar Smooth Satin, who won an Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile in the early 2000s.
“This kid has just got it,” Steve said. “I’ve seen it since he was 13 and driving horses in (track) work by galloping them around a 500m track.
“Horses just go for him, he’s similar to my daughter, Amanda. They can burn them out at the start and still sprint at the finish, not many can do that.
“Wins like the other night are super important to Jett, or anyone really. It shows you that you can compete with the very best.
“Jett’s doing it at 17 … I reckon I was 40 before I got to that stage.”
For all of Steve’s deeds, his father, the late Tony “AD” Turnbull is the most famous member of the remarkable family.
“AD” is one the greatest legends of the game. He was the first Australian to drive over 2000 winners, the first to win successive Inter Dominion finals (Hondo Grattan in 1973 and ’74) and the first to win the Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile in the same year (Hondo Grattan in 1974).
Such was AD’s impact; he is one of just three harness folk in the NSW Sports Hall of Champions.
He and Hondo Grattan – fondly known as the “Bathurst Bulldog” after the NSW town they came from – became household names.
Steve is one of six children “AD” and his wife, Shirley, had. Five of them have or continue to have terrific success in harness racing.
Steve, Craig and Cindy are still major players, as are many of AD’s grandchildren like Emma, Jason, Amanda, Josh and Mitchell (all Turnbulls), along Cindy’s kids Will, Ellen and Hannah. Then there is Craig’s daughter, Abbey.
Jett has a “double dose” of harness racing in his bloodlines.
His mother, Carly, is the daughter of successful horseman Greg Rue and his wife, Deanna. Greg’s nephew, Mat, is a Miracle Mile winning driver.
The history and significance of the Turnbull certainly isn’t lost on Jett, who for age, speaks and presents stunningly well.
“It’s such a special family to be part of,” he said. “Obviously, the great horses Hondo Grattan and Smooth Satin were before my time, but I’ve heard all about them and how they were the best of their time.
“When we go to Steve’s for dinner, the old videos of Smooth Satin will come out and I’ll hear all about him.
“I know how exciting it was when Dad (Nathan) had the best horse he’s had, Better Be The Best, flying. It’s such a shame he’d been sidelined. I drove him in work, but never at the races.
“Sure, there’s some pressure and expectation that comes with the Turnbull name, but it’s also brought me so many great influences in my career already, none bigger than Dad. You've got Steve (Turnbull), Auntie Amanda (Turnbull), Mat Rue and people like Cam Hart, Jack Callaghan and Jason Grimson have been fantastic support, too.
“When people ask me about the great success ‘AD’ and Steve had, I just say it gives me something to aim for and hope that I can achieve in my career.
“For now, I just pinch myself I’ve driven more than 300 winners in less than two years.”:
Jett attracted the eye of Australia’s most powerful stable, Victoria’s Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, last year where talks started about a possible move.
“It was amazing to hear they knew what I’d done and were interested, but the best place to be for the immediate future is here at home with Dad so I can continue to learn,” he said.
“Dad’s NSW’s leading trainer with a good team of 50-odd horses in work and I’ve got loads of opportunities across three, four, sometimes five meetings a week.”
Top Menangle trainer Jason Grimson is another to have tapped into Jett’s talent.
“He’s been great. He gave me a drive during the (Sydney) Inter Dominion series last year and I’ve also driven his top mares Tay Tay and Illavabubbles,” Jett said.
The Inter Dominion is close to Jett’s heart given the huge role his family played in it with Hondo Grattan and Smooth Satin.
Like most, he’s thrilled to see it being shown some “love” with a new July timeslot and significant prize money boost at Albion Park in July.
And Jett expects to be there, albeit driving in support races.
“I can hold out hope I might pick up a drive in the series, but the reason for going is Dad’s looking at taking our two best horses, Glitter And Gold and a three-year-old No Luck, up for some of the three and four-year-old features,” Jett said.
“Just to be driving at Albion Park during Inter Dominion time will be a huge buzz.”
The deeds of Aussie brothers Todd and Andy McCarthy in the US are certainly not lost on Jett.
“Of course not. And the time James Herbertson has just had over there, too,” he said.
“Some time in the US is definitely on the cards, but it probably won’t be until I’m 21 or 22.
“I’d love to do a fact finding trip like Herby did recently.”
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