Personnel
Chris Lang has been Australia’s leading trainer of trotters for the past three years and seems certain to make this four in a row for this 2008/09 season. Many of these victories he has driven himself, while on occasions when starting two or more trotters in a race, brother Gavin Lang or Chris Jnr has filled in admirably.
It’s not surprising Chris has grown up to view the beautiful trotting gait with so much passion. His father, Graeme Lang, trained and drove Scotch Notch to be Australia’s finest ever trotting mare, winning two Inter Dominion Championships and competing successfully against the best in North America.
Not all of his success has come from training and driving the best, as a few of these only responded after the polish finally shone through. His expertise extends to his knowledge of shoeing some not so well gaited performers.
Sharon Lang is a well known horsewoman in the equestrian world and has trained several trotters out of their stable in her own right, including dual Inter Dominion finalist Lester Scot and Moonee Valley winner Majestic Glory.
Though Sharon maintains a heavy involvement in the day-to-day activities of the racing stable, much of the past seven months has been devoted to operating the recently opened breeding arm of their activities -- Aldebaran Park. This stud farm is home for the extremely well-bred Aldebaran Yankee – a son of the world’s top trotting sire Muscles Yankee US from the same family as the mighty Maori’s Idol. This four-year-old was bred by Sharon Lang and Duncan McPherson. He is out of the mare Maori Road, a Lindy Lane broodmare who was bred by Bryan Healy and purchased unraced by Sharon Lang and Duncan McPherson
Chris Lang Jnr, better known around the family stables as simply ‘Junior’, has now driven more than 126 winners since bringing up his first success in December 2003 driving Ally McBlossom at Kilmore to become No. 2 reinsman for his Dad.
Being his father’s son, he wisely went out to gain early experience by working at the stables of his grandfather Graeme (G.A. Lang), and then for John Justice. A most level-headed young horseman, other trainers can be quick to put him up behind a pacer with confidence.
Ben Gledhill is a trainer/driver in his own right and has trained or driven over 50 winners so far. He has been involved in Harness Racing his entire 27 years and his horse Just Bluffin saluted at Shepparton recently running 1.59.2. Ben is a noted and respected handler and breaker of young horses and because of this is highly sought after. In his Spare time he plays Aussie Rules as centre half back for Nagambie 1sts.
Phil Collins. When Phil is not working hard at the stables, he and his wife Joan run the Katamatite Motel, just north of Shepparton. Phil has been involved in Harness racing for well over 40 years as an owner and/or trainer. His mare "Mukaroundsid" was a winner in a career best 1.58.3 at Shepparton recently.
Paul Davies. Paul was also born into a harness racing family. His mother, Margaret was a founding member of the Reinswomans Assoc of NSW. Pauls family has enjoyed much success in NSW for the last 30 years and Paul, himself has driven 12 winners so far with more on the horizon. Paul was track curator and treasurer at Bulli Harness Racing Track for a number of years. He is a young 39 year old and loves his trotters.
Michael Lang. The youngest member of the Nagambie Lang Clan, Michael has experience in marketing, accounting and sales. He has grown up involved in the day to day operations and is noted for his wit around the stable but only after a cup of coffee!
Rocky & Lisa Fazzolari. Predominately employed to look after "Aldabaran Park" our Agistment and breeding operation situated next door, the husband and wife team are meticulous with keeping everything in tip top shape and always quick to swap sides and help out on the training side when asked. Lisa is a successful Dressage rider and Rocky is a Sergeant of Police at Shepparton, so he keeps all the lads in order! Lisa is also a very good cook and makes a magic jelly slice! (yum).