Bendigo Harness Racing Club committeeman Ashley Spear
Ashley trained and drove his first horse 'Navy Boy' which won at its very first start - he also has had a successful career in management and business, bringing both horse and operational skills to the committee table at the Bendigo Harness Racing Club
BHRC committeeman Ashley Spear
Ashley Spear is one of two new members on the
Bendigo Harness Racing Club Committee, commencing his three year term in
November last year.
Ashley is a Cancer survivor who after a very active work life is enjoying his roles in harness racing during his retirement.
Born at Box Hill and educated at Box Hill Grammar, Brighton Grammar, R.M.I.T. Ashley gained trade qualifications as a MMBW Plumber, and worked as a plumber for a number of years. His interest in trotting started 55 years ago when he became involved in Southern Speedways Light Harness Club.
A few years later in 1963, Ashley obtained his trainer’s and driver’s license with a mentor Dave Wilson finding him a horse to learn on. “With this horse, ‘Navy Boy’, I had my first drive at Healesville in June 1965 and won the race at the very first drive,” he said. “It was my first horse as a trainer and Navy Boys’, first start in a race.” Navy Boy horse went on to win 7 races including a metro race at Showgrounds. Ashley had numerous horses winning many races including Navy Opal (1), Navy Boy (7), River Barron (2), Bella Vista (2). Phoenix Queen, Candy Lass (2) and Earl Vance and worked for trainer- driver Keith and Raw for 2 years.
He then moved on to start a family and had to let his love of training go as the horses just didn’t pay enough. During his working career Ashley was Company Manager for 5 years with Shell Company and Mobil Oil and 20 Years with Qantas Airways in Catering and Engineering, spending the last seven years as a Qantas’ Manager (Ground Equipment Maintenance). When he moved from Romsey to Lancefield, Ashley took on harness racing the administration duties, working for 12 years as secretary of Lancefield Light Harness Club and after retiring from Qantas he was self employed in Retail for a further 11 years. “I had to retire from work to fight a battle with Cancer,” Ashley said. Ashley is currently working one horse at present, having retained both his trainer’s and driver’s license. He is also the Treasurer of Bendigo Owner Trainer Driver Association.
Ashley is a Cancer survivor who after a very active work life is enjoying his roles in harness racing during his retirement.
Born at Box Hill and educated at Box Hill Grammar, Brighton Grammar, R.M.I.T. Ashley gained trade qualifications as a MMBW Plumber, and worked as a plumber for a number of years. His interest in trotting started 55 years ago when he became involved in Southern Speedways Light Harness Club.
A few years later in 1963, Ashley obtained his trainer’s and driver’s license with a mentor Dave Wilson finding him a horse to learn on. “With this horse, ‘Navy Boy’, I had my first drive at Healesville in June 1965 and won the race at the very first drive,” he said. “It was my first horse as a trainer and Navy Boys’, first start in a race.” Navy Boy horse went on to win 7 races including a metro race at Showgrounds. Ashley had numerous horses winning many races including Navy Opal (1), Navy Boy (7), River Barron (2), Bella Vista (2). Phoenix Queen, Candy Lass (2) and Earl Vance and worked for trainer- driver Keith and Raw for 2 years.
He then moved on to start a family and had to let his love of training go as the horses just didn’t pay enough. During his working career Ashley was Company Manager for 5 years with Shell Company and Mobil Oil and 20 Years with Qantas Airways in Catering and Engineering, spending the last seven years as a Qantas’ Manager (Ground Equipment Maintenance). When he moved from Romsey to Lancefield, Ashley took on harness racing the administration duties, working for 12 years as secretary of Lancefield Light Harness Club and after retiring from Qantas he was self employed in Retail for a further 11 years. “I had to retire from work to fight a battle with Cancer,” Ashley said. Ashley is currently working one horse at present, having retained both his trainer’s and driver’s license. He is also the Treasurer of Bendigo Owner Trainer Driver Association.
