Mark was living in Mount Gambier when he started training in 1991 and was leading trainer in the South East District Racing Association 1992-93 Season. His first full season as a trainer he backed that up with another win 1993-94 season.

He was soon recognized as an astute trainer and was given Red Hope to train after George Hanlon told the owners he would not measure to Melbourne Class. Mark won the Hilton on the Park Sprint, Laurent Perrier Stakes, Ian McEwen trophy and Moondah Plate with the Big Chestnut. He also won two Liz Davenport Classic and two Whylie Handicaps, a total of 15 races.

Mark then opened a Satellite stable in Adelaide and soon trained successfully out of both stables.

In 2000 Mark and his family moved to Adelaide full time and winners really started to flow. Border Time, Easy Landing, Star Joe, Ez and Imperial Cross were just a few that won listed and group and cups races that year.

In 2003 Mark purchased some old stables and set about renovating and rebuilding the whole complex. It is now the best in Adelaide with absolute first class facilities for 39 horses. There is a house converted to offices and facilities for owners to have a drink and watch videos. The horses are paraded on the large lawns boarded by lovely gardens. Owners are kept informed at all times with e-mails, faxes and phone calls, together with regular inspections and open days.

In 2005 Mark hit the big time, winning the Group 1 $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield with Undoubtedly, a horse he bought at the sales with that objective in mind.

In 2007 Mark rented new stables at Flemington in Victoria "the best training address in Australia".

He met with immediate success in the Spring of 2007 with Group 1 wins from Maldivian, Divine Madonna and Devil Moon - a remarkable achievement from such a small stable.

This training performance has really put Mark on the map and he is now a leading Melbourne trainer. His son Sam runs the Adelaide stables. 

Mark believes owners need to be kept informed and that's a priority. Mark is always on the lookout for new owners and is more than happy to show off the lovely new Flemington stables.

The Mark Kavanagh Racing Club is an initiative of Mark designed to introduce the experience of racing at the highest level to newcomers to racing. He believes that unless the industry is recruiting new fans it is not making progress.