Of course when you ask a 15 year old to take a family photo it’s a selfie – meet the Delbridge family, Mark, Lisa and Myles, while they were on a well-earned mini break to Tasmania.
2020 has been successful for Mark, winning Bendigo’s Trainer of the Year with 288 starts - 37 winners, 51 seconds and 30 thirds.  Mark was awarded Trainer of the Year at Horsham and Warrnambool with over 1700 combined starts, a fantastic effort.
 
Mark grew up in Cheltenham, moved to Carrum Downs then Tynong and has lived in Balliang for the past 24 years after purchasing the property from Garry Black.  Mark’s love of the greyhound industry came when he was 14 years old and like many greyhound trainers he started training with his dad.  Mark has been lucky enough to have many great mentors including Brian Flannery, Graeme Bate and Carl Haas.  Over the years Mark’s has picked up a few little tips along the way, he is always learning and tries to learn from his mistakes. 
 
Mark’s wife Lisa and son Myles are his greatest supporters, but they were quick to say he has a few flaws.  “He stresses about the dogs and he always enters too many dogs, once entering over 22 dogs at one race meeting.”  Team Delbridge currently have 75 dogs and hope to soon increase that to 100.  Mark believes it is a numbers game, but he never dreamt he would have this many dogs.  He is working towards winning a Melbourne Cup and has promised Lisa a new house as their current house is over 80 years old.
 
The Delbridge’s have built a comfortable life around the greyhound industry, Mark professing everything they have is a result of their success with greyhounds.  They manage (except in 2020) to enjoy a yearly overseas family holiday and have been to Thailand, Hong Kong, Canada and hope to get back to the States soon.  In the early years Mark found it difficult to leave the dogs, even having separate holidays, however now with 4 staff members he can relax and enjoy his time away with his family.  
 
When you have over 75 dogs under your watch its difficult to pick a favourite, however with Flash of Light winning over $280,000 it is certainly up there.  Other noted dogs were Tomac Bale and Dyna Dean.  Mark supports Bendigo’s Ready to Race (R2R) and fondly talked about dogs he has purchased at the sales.  One of his favourites Get Real, as this is currently the only dog he owns.  Dr Paulie was his first purchase in R2R sales and has gone on to earn over $65,000.   
 
Mark also sees himself as a handy man, always doing something, building new kennels and upgrading his property.  He never wants to retire and loves being a greyhound trainer and the lifestyle it brings.  Not many people can boast they do over 30,000 steps a day at work.  Winning is not everything to Mark, however when asked where is his favourite track, his quick response was “anywhere where I win”
Myles is keen to peruse a career as a Forensic Scientist, but Mark and Lisa still have a few year for him to catch the love for the greyhound industry.
Keep up the great work Mark, Lisa and Myles.