Our Team
Trainer: Will Clarken
Will Clarken, Performance Park Racing resident trainer emanates from a family steeped in racing. He was the fifth member of the clan to successfully ride but was forced, like the others, into early retirement due to increasing weight. Ironically all five were champion apprentices in their sophomore year. Will is earning a fine reputation as a horseman which was quickly recognized and nurtured by Mike Nunan at Performance Park Racing.
Following his retirement from race riding, Will took on the art of horse education and training, handling horses for all of the major trainers in Adelaide. This attribute is essential to the future of Performance Park Racing as is the experience of his years with successful trainer, Mark Minervini here Will had the opportunity to travel with the group winning mare Vormista.
Mike and Will have visited trainers in the UK where they demonstrated their cutting edge use of equine heart rate monitoring, lactate and treadmill usage. This scientific approach to the art of training is already paying dividends. The rejuvenation of former brilliant 2YO Cruising Eagle is a wonderful example.
Will Clarken is the new breed of young horse trainers prepared to accommodate 'change' in the competitive world of racing backed by the resources and determination of Performance Park Racing.
Assistant Manager: Leena Pfluger
Leena Pfluger is the epitome of a true horsewoman. Born in Scotland, as a child Leena was fortunate to have the experience of owning and caring for her own pony from an early age, and her passion and commitment to the equestrian world has never diminished.
Leena and her family re-located to South Australia in 2000 where she completed her high school years, and then took up work at Performance Park as a stable hand before taking a year out to broaden her experience working for a polo team in Queensland.
On her return to South Australia, Leena resumed work with Performance Park and is now responsible for the management of staff as well as overseeing agistment services and assisting Will with pre-trainers and breakers.
Leena's passion for her work is captured by her superb photographs of the racing world and of the various equestrian pursuits she enjoys. More recently Leena's skills have been recognised by Thoroughbred Racing SA when she was appointed assistant Clerk Of The Course for all major SAJC meetings.
Director: Mike Nunan
Mike Nunan has been involved in sport most of his life. From an early age Mike has worked hard to achieve results that have kept him on top of the game. As Director/Owner of Pursuit Performance the sole distributor of Polar Heart Rate Monitors in Australia, Mike's love affair with horses was being orchestrated through the birth of Performance Park in beautiful 'Macclesfield'.
Mike's sport science background has played a major role in finding a winning formula at Performance Park offering the client a unique insight to measuring a horse's individual ability.