About Us
Our Objective
While every horse’s target varies, the objective remains the same. With a current strike rate that exceeds industry standard, ACR Racing continues to statistically prove that it can compete and succeed against the top trainers in Victoria. By carefully sourcing the right races and ensuring our horses are in optimum condition, we are able to deliver our connections impressive and consistent results.
MEET ALEX RAE
Head Trainer
Alex Rae was driven to become a racehorse trainer from a young age. Born into a thoroughbred racing and breeding family, it did not take long for him to catch the bug and ignite the beginning of what he hopes will become, a successful training career.
He began working for Robert Smerdon at Caulfield Racecourse whilst he completed his studies at St Kevin’s College, Toorak. In his time at Caulfield, he was the beneficiary of acquiring firsthand experience with the likes of G1 winners Mosheen, Shamal Wind and Politeness, to name a few. It did not take long for him to progress through the ranks before heading to John Moloney’s to further hone his craft.
With maturity beyond his years, Alex took out his licence at the youthful age of 20 years old. It did not take long for Alex to find his feet on the big stage where he saddled up Cochada to win the VRC Country Cup Series Final at Flemington over 1600m.
Alex prides himself on attention to detail and endeavouring to extract the absolute maximum ability out of each individual horse in order to achieve maximum return on investment for his clients. The stable continues to grow exponentially in accordance with the stables’ results. Alex believes he has built a strong business framework and surrounded the stable with a top support network which will continue to see ACR Racing be competitive and successful long into the future.
Meet Chuck Rae
Assistant Trainer & Jockey Manager
Chuck Rae’s passion for horse racing began at a young age, leading him to gain hands-on experience from his teenage years. In 2012, at just 14, he started working weekends at Caulfield under renowned trainer Robert Smerdon, setting the foundation for his career in the racing industry.
After completing his education at St Kevin’s College, Chuck joined his older brother Alex in 2016. His dedication and leadership saw him quickly rise through the ranks, becoming Foreman in 2018 and later earning the title of Assistant Trainer in 2022. In his role, he oversees the stable’s daily operations, including staff management, liaising with farriers and vets, and maintaining feed orders to ensure the team runs efficiently.
Beyond training, Chuck has also been a jockey manager since 2014, gaining extensive form knowledge and developing a astute eye for race analysis. His expertise as a form analyst plays a crucial role in assisting the stable with race programming and horse management.
With a strong background in horse management and a deep understanding of racing, Chuck’s unwavering dedication to the team continues to be an integral part of the stable’s success ensuring the stable runs seamlessly and the horses perform at their peak.
Our rebranding marks the beginning of Chuck’s journey toward becoming a more prominent figure in our business, ultimately working towards his role as a training partner—a well-deserved reward for his dedication and commitment.
Delivering on
a Promise
Horse Welfare
The horses health and mindset is always the number 1 priority of the ACR Team. We promise to treat our horses with the upmost care and work tirelessly to deliver on this promise.
ROI
At ACR Racing we focus our attention on the immense prizemoney available to our owners in Victoria and across Australia. Alex’s ability to train his stock to target the most suitable races for each individual horse provides a consistent recipe to afford connections the most profitable outcome. Providing owners with the thrill of a journey gives Alex great joy whilst also endeavouring to provide a return on investment.