
Nathan Delany and Ray Green, pictured with The Big Lebowski, are to join in a training partnership. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Good luck Nate! New era at Lincoln Farms as stable junior joins in training partnership
From Kidz Kartz to a training partnership at Lincoln Farms, that’s the remarkable progression for Nathan Delany who on Wednesday will join Ray Green at the helm of one of the country’s strongest stables.
Delany, 24, gets to share the top job at Lincoln Farms a decade after his first introduction to racehorses, a real stamp of confidence from Green and stable owners John and Lynne Street.
“I’m not going into retirement,” says Green who has trained 510 winners of $8.5 million in stakes. “I’m still the boss but I’m 79 and no spring chicken. I just need to need to take a little step back and relax a bit.”
Green says nothing much will change at Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe barn, it will be business as usual.
“I still enjoy the job but you become a prisoner to it and I just don’t want it to be so intense.
“I’ve discovered the art of delegation and Nathan will just take a bit of pressure off me.”
Ray Green with Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street whose passion is to help youngsters in the game.Green says he was impressed by the way Delany stepped up on their recent Canterbury campaign, giving him the confidence to leave The Big Lebowski in his care and return to Auckland.
“He’s quite a fastidious young man and a pretty efficient operator. He’s had a good grounding in the business with big teams, both here and over numerous years with Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. He doesn’t need any schooling on that.”
Joining in a partnership would give Delany the opportunity to establish himself as a trainer, says Green.
“John is all about giving these youngsters a leg up and Nathan is good to work with.”
Street has already helped Zachary Butcher and Andre Poutama establish their own teams at Lincoln Farms, while still calling on their help when needed. And with talented junior Monika Ranger, foreman Andy Sharpe and his brother Craig, and Jimmy Stephens, the team works well, says Green.
“But we’ve got about 35 horses here, and work 25 on average, so it will be good to have someone to share the load.”
In good health
Green says he’s in good health after a real scare two years ago when hospitalised after being kicked in the stomach by a young horse.
“It was hard coming back from that injury but you can’t lay down and fade away. I can do anything I want to physically now, I drive horses every day, but I don’t shoe them any more.
“I just need to button off a bit. I can’t remember when I last had a holiday, I wouldn’t actually know what to do on one. The last time was probably when I was trapped in Australia during Covid, but I was still working.”
Green says there are no immediate holiday plans, his wife Debbie already “living the dream” with her animals and birds and tied to their Tuakau home.
“But it will be nice to go fishing every now and then, I used to go out with Tony Herlihy.”
Delany salutes on Captain Nemo: “There are a lot of good drivers out there so it’s hard to make a name for yourself.”Lucky
Delany knows how lucky he is to get the opportunity at Lincoln Farms with 42 driving wins and one training success to his name.
“It’s a hard game to get into, especially if you don’t have a family in racing.
“I came here straight from school at the age of 14. School wasn’t my go and I wasn’t even going in the end. I thought working at the stable was better than doing nothing.”
Delany’s first experience behind a horse was as a Kidz Kartz driver but he found the ponies too small.
After two and a half years of working with the real thing at Lincoln Farms, Delany spread his wings, flying to Australia where he worked in a stable in Adelaide.
“But I didn’t like it at all, got homesick, and came back after a week and a half.”
Luckily, his return coincided with an opening at the Clevedon stable of leading trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
“Barry and Scotty are so professional and I stayed there for two and a half years before doing another two years with Dave and Clare McGowan at Pukekohe.”
Delaney has been back at Lincoln Farms now for long enough to know his future lies in training, not driving.
“There are a lot of good drivers out there so it’s hard to make a name for yourself. I might drive the odd one in the future but I prefer training. You see all the young ones come through, get them from an early age, and break them in. I enjoy that more and have two of my own I’m working.”
Delany says he’s looking forward to the new year with Lincoln Farms having a number of nice young horses in work.
He believes his patience will stand to him in the education process.
“You have to take your time. You can’t get angry with them. You know what to expect from colts and just go with them.”
But, no, he can’t name a favourite.
“There are no pets here, they’re all the same.”
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Everything looking good for Argyle’s comeback tonight but it’s steady as she goes
Tyson in the right form to deliver a knockout punch at Cambridge on Friday night
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Argyle.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.43pm
“Drawn well, he should get a good trip and be the one to beat. He got held up at Cambridge last time and these amateur races are easier to win.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.43pm
“The form line doesn’t show it but he actually went ok last time, they just sprinted and left him flat-footed. He’ll go his usual honest race.”
Race 2: Angelic Copy
6.16pm
“She and Linda train and trial together and are much more forward than the others. She’s a proper little tradesman who can do whatever you want and she tries hard.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
6.16pm
“He’s not as forward as the fillies. He’s still learning and can do nothing but improve.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
6.16pm
“He’s another who will benefit from the experience but he’s by Bettor’s Delight and they tend to lift their game when the money’s up.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.16pm
“She has a bit of speed but is not as tractable as Linda - she doesn’t handle the corners quite as well and might be a little better left-handed. But she’s as good as any of them at the moment and, in the small field, should get her chance.”
Race 2: Lincoln Linda
6.16pm
“Though drawn the outside, she should really be the one to beat, based on her trial. She’s quite a strong filly, who is well gaited and should go forward. Maurice (McKendry) has driven her two or three times and he likes her.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.08pm
“He should be dangerous against what is not a wonderful bunch. He trialled well, a nose behind Lewey Maguire (home in 56.4). All three of mine are nice horses and should be right there.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.08pm
“He was laying in on the corners last time at Cambridge and it was just a sprint home. He needs to be driven a bit more aggressively - he’s gone his best races when he’s been put in the race. Remember he sat parked when third to Arna’s good one (Chase Me) in December. He can tough it.”
Race 4: Colonel Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s training down well, as good as you could expect. He’s done nothing wrong in three starts back. The outside draw is an inconvenience but, when he slots in, he won’t be far off them.”
Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.38pm
“He got held up last time and the winner got away on him. He should get a nice trip from one. He’ll go another honest race and will be in it for a while.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.38pm
“She could be quite a nice filly. The way she’s developing I think she’ll be competitive against the better fillies later in the year. She’s quite versatile and can race tough. She has a lot of potential.”
Race 7: Frisco Bay
8.38pm
“He’d be on a par with Debbie for speed but he can get a bit carried away. Hopefully he can get a nice suck into it. I can’t fault the way they’re training and whichever of the two gets the best trip should win.”