Two and a half years after receiving a stage four cancer diagnosis, Victorian harness racing trainer Tim McGuigan is still doing what he loves – and training winners.
The easy-going horseman from Gordon, near Ballarat, was back in the spotlight last week with promising pacer Shotinthedark, who broke through for his second career win at Melton (Aug 1).
McGuigan was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in February 2023.
“I’m not actually supposed to be here now – they gave me two years,” the 59-year-old said.
“But I’m going along okay, and once every three months I head in for tests.”
Now preparing a team of eight horses, McGuigan is urging other men in the harness racing industry to take their health seriously.
“Getting checked out for prostate cancer is very easy these days. It’s just a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test – and all that involves is a blood test,” he said.
McGuigan’s cancer diagnosis came by chance, after a track accident.
“I was driving one horse and leading another when I got tipped out,” he explained.
“I was taken to hospital to check for concussion and one thing led to another – that’s when they found I had prostate cancer.
“It was a complete shock because I hadn’t been feeling sick or anything like that. I underwent chemotherapy and other treatment, and here I am.”
As soon as he was on the mend, McGuigan returned to the life he loves – working with horses.
Despite the challenges, in the year following his diagnosis, McGuigan trained 21 winners and 42 placings. In 2024, he added seven wins and 24 placings, and so far this season, his stable has posted three wins and 10 placings from around 40 starters.
Over the years, the McGuigan stable has developed a reputation for producing honest, consistent campaigners. One standout is Blood Moon, a 13-time winner with 20 placings, who recently claimed another win in the United States – his 13th there.
There have been other highlights too, including Blitzsuzy, who won the $25,000 The Lombo 2YO Fillies Final at Melton in January 2013.
McGuigan prepared teams of up to 23 in the past, but has downsized the stable somewhat, retaining a core of around eight handy stock.
He’s particularly optimistic about Shotinthedark, a promising pacer who broke through for a well-earned win at Melton, driven by his son Darby.
“The horse hasn’t had a lot of luck in his races, but now he has two wins and eight minors (from 16 starts),” McGuigan said.
“He’ll be better later on. He’s a big, rangy type, but a beautiful pacer who floats along nicely. He had placings at Melton and Ballarat before his last win.
“I raced his mother, Girls Got Rhythm, who won seven. Four of her five foals have now won races, including Girls View (seven) and Maghera Maggie (six).”
With 167 wins and 405 placings to his name, McGuigan has built a strong father-son partnership with 27-year-old Darby, a reinsman with 403 driving wins.
“I was actually thinking of giving it away at one stage, then Darby started getting keen,” he said.
“He’s got a great job with Central Highlands Water, and I try to race the horses at meetings he can get to. We’ve got Shotinthedark racing at Melton again this Friday night (August 8).”
McGuigan also has high hopes for Shadow Celt, a seven-time winner who began the 2023 season with three consecutive victories. He’s rated NR77 and is set to trial at Bacchus Marsh on Saturday ahead of a return to racing.
