Mark Verran, who is currently the President of the Manawatu Association of NZTROF and also a Committee Member of the Levin Racing Club, has bred and raced thoroughbreds for over 40 years.

As someone who has always had a great appreciation for horses, he was fortunate, as a city kid, to have the chance to ride regularly over the Gear Estate farm on the banks of the Porirua Harbour. Not a great rider but capable of staying on.

In the 70s, and resident in Levin, Mark joined the staff of Jack O’Brien’s Sovereign Lodge Stud, a position he held over a number of years. At this time, he purchased a weanling at the Trentham sales and subsequently engaged Grant Searle to train May Queen for three wins in partnership with an old school mate, Charlie Rose.

Verran and Rose went on to breed and race a number of horses over the next twenty years or so, perhaps the most notable being Shifty who won seven races. They also bred Maybe Rough who became quite a notable jumper out of John Wheeler’s stable.

When Verran and Rose separated their racing interests Mark continued to breed and race with his partner Diane. The highlight of this partnership was winning the Welcome Stakes with Drover’s Call by Jack Scott’s Ohau Stud’s Private Call. Jack was also the trainer and it was a victory that impressed both owners and trainer.

Mark and Diane are currently racing Sweet Envy, with Mark also managing the thoroughbred interests for the estate of Charlie Rose.

Mark has always been proud of the activeness of the Manawatu Association debating current racing issues, seeking solutions and pushing for improvements in the industry which we love.

Mark Verran