Gai Waterhouse AO, thoroughbred racehorse trainer, is the daughter of legendary trainer Tommy Smith. Educated in Sydney, she began her career as an actor, moving to England to pursue television and stage roles. Returning to Sydney in 1978, she began an apprenticeship under her father, gaining her trainer's licence from the Australian Jockey Club in 1992. Her first winner was Gifted Poet in 1992; he first Group 1 winner was Te Akau Nick, the same year. Waterhouse took over her father's famous stables, Tulloch Lodge, in 1994-1995. Nothin' Leica Dame won the Victoria Derby in 1995, and came within a nose of winning the Melbourne Cup a few days later. In 2002-2003 Gai equalled her father's Sydney training record; the Gai Waterhouse Stable has won more than 102 Group 1 races. Renowned for her ebullience and elegance - some of her outfits are in the collection of the Powerhouse Museum - Waterhouse is married to former bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse, whose father and grandfather were both bookmakers. Their son, Tom, runs an online betting service, while their daughter, Kate, is fashion editor of the Sun Herald newspaper.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2011
© Lorrie Graham
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