With a wealth of knowledge and experience, including 124 Group 1 winners to his credit, Freedman’s new role will have him overseeing training operations for Pencarrow Stud's racing string based at Maungatautari, where Julia Ritchie and Steven Ramsay will remain as the stud’s resident trainers.

“I’m very excited to take up this new challenge with Pencarrow Racing and the Vela Family,” commented Freedman.

“I will spend some time in New Zealand each month and am looking forward to working strongly with the team at Maungatautari.”

Pencarrow Stud owner Sir Peter Vela has raced horses with Freedman for many years, including Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel), Pencarrow’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner and dam of five-time Group 1 winner Darci Brahma.

Vela says he is delighted to have his friend join the team.

“Lee is a great friend of mine, but also a master at his trade, and his insight and experience will be invaluable to Pencarrow Racing,” said Vela.

“His role is intended to be very much a collaboration with Julia, Rambo, Garry Cossey, Leon Casey and the team already there, to make best use of Lee’s great horsemanship and training skills for the whole operation’s benefit. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Freedman will take up his position from Monday.