Louise Mancinelli

“I love racing because anybody can win, it puts everyone on a level playing field. It’s something for everyone to share.”

What does your Fred profile say?

I love racing because anybody can win, it puts everyone on a level playing field. It’s something for everyone to share.

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

I worked for AAMI Insurance for many years and would attend the Flemington Carnival in the Birdcage and found myself leaving the marquees going out and looking at the horses. I love horses, talking to trainers and strappers, and looking up at the stands at owners, wondering what winning a race felt like.

I fell in love with Black Caviar, so off the back of that, I bought my first share in a horse off the same cross as her. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but getting caught up in the whole Black Caviar hysteria, I decided to take the plunge.

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

Going to Royal Ascot with Brazen Beau has to be it. It was one of out of the box and a once in a lifetime opportunity. The whole pomp and pageantry and having been there with family and friends and owners, Beau had an entourage of over 100 people.

Seeing the Queen come up the track in her coach and probably being about 5m away from her in the mounting yard after the race was surreal, and Beau ran a huge gallant second in the Royal Jubilee. The trip and build up to the race and the talk about Beau around the track was incredible.

Godolphin in Newmarket was where my picture was taken. We got to visit him there a few days before the race where he was being looked after and the whole experience was incredible. We were in the Royal Enclosure even though he came second, and we were incredibly proud of him. He was the first horse since Black Caviar to run at Royal Ascot, the talk of the town.

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

It would be Black Caviar, I have a thing for sprinters.

We know it’s impossible to stop at one, what's your ownership stable looking like now? 

At one point it was 10 – 11 but at the moment it’s only 5 racing but I also own a broodmare, Calibah Flame, who has also just had a foal in Tasmania to Alpine Eagle. One of my 5 is also out of the same broodmare and he should race shortly. All my horses are trained by the Feeks.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

Generally I look at the stallion. I have to have a liking for the stallion and then from there, basically I go on type. Also the people I get involved with in the horse and also the trainers are equally as important too.

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

Make sure you do your research early on. From the start, you need to think about where the horse will go post racing career as a responsible owner. You also need to accept that if you don’t have a big share, then you may not have much say in what happens during the horses career so be prepared for that.

Do you want to be in our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Karen & Michael Sparkes

“Tragics of racing we are! We just love it!”

What does your Fred profile say?

Tragics of racing we are! We just love it!

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

For us it started as a social commitment to family and friends to take up a small share in a race horse back in 2007. Think it was one third of a 15th share. That horses name was Emifive.

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

Definitely being part owners of the 2018 Victoria Derby winner, Extra Brut. Ironically and disappointingly from a not being there perspective, we were somewhere between Malta and Mykonos on a Mediterranean Cruise when the Derby was actually being run, without any coverage available.

It wasn’t until we docked in Mykonos about 10 hours after the race that we found out that Bruty had won! Our photo is of us in Mykonos saying cheers to Bruty. Still an amazing adrenaline exploding experience we shall never forget! We also wish to acknowledge Brad Spicer of Spicer Thoroughbreds for providing us the opportunity to buy a share in Extra Brut as a yearling. 

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

Our next champion!

We know it’s impossible to stop at one, what's your ownership stable looking like now? 

At the moment we have shares in 6 horses racing, and one recently retired broodmare. With that, they’ve had 9 wins and 13 placings between them from 47 starts.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

Karen’s call!

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

Pretty much everything, and we’ve still got a lot to learn!

Do you want to be in our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Deryn Rowe

“I'm passionate about helping horses with the equine therapy I do with them, and enjoy the passion involved with racing and also caring for them.”

What does your Fred profile say?

I'm passionate about helping horses with the equine therapy I do with them, and enjoy the passion involved with racing and also caring for them

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

After a long and highly successful career in the fitness industry (over 30+ years), I decided I had reached the pinnacle and was looking to change in direction for various reasons. As a high level aerobic championship competitor, I knew that massage and physical therapy were paramount to successful performances and for muscle and body maintenance. I saw an advert for equine massage and thought, that’s what I’m going to do! Why wouldn’t racehorses need and benefit from that too!

I had zero experience with horse’s full stop so embarked on learning by going into a racing stable and doing the early mornings and learning horse handling, and then went off and did the course. It was over 400 hours to qualify and I did it all while still working full time in the fitness industry.

 A few years later, I decided to buy into my first syndicate with Shelly Hancox and then moved into my first individual horse with Luke Oliver called Hamam. She won over $100,000 on the track and that was the beginning of my future steps into more horse ownership!

My current involvement in the racing industry as an equine bodyworker has been the greatest personal achievement of my life! Having come from no experience whatsoever with horses, and to be able to do what I do with them now and all that they have taught me is quite unimaginable.

Horses have given me a true understanding of real empathy and connection and they would have to be the most highly emotionally intelligent creatures on this planet. Their ‘knowing’ when you gain their trust is quite astounding.

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

Every winner as an owner, no matter what, is exhilarating, but I Am Vinnie winning at Randwick at 60-1 in the last stride in August 2019 would have to be one of the best! Especially being on track to experience that with over 20 of his owners. In another state for the first time with a horse I owned, it was ridiculously surreal and right up there! He has since won twice more up in Sydney, three starts for three wins.

Being there for that first one was unreal and knowing I’d been instrumental in helping him be at his physical best to get that win was also incredibly special for me. We have a really special and quite an amazing connection (as you can tell from our photo). Sometimes only horses and I really know what is achieved in one of my sessions as they can’t tell anyone! 

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

So You Think. What an amazing horse, amazing athlete and what a looker and even now, what a sire! He encapsulates what could be described as a ‘super horse’ for me as I backed him in his first Cox Plate and I just knew he’d win. I knew the true faith Bart had in that horse and his achievements on the track here and abroad reflected that.

We know it’s impossible to stop at one, what's your ownership stable looking like now? 

No you can’t stop at one, that’s right! My share involvement is not large but I’ve had a few horses over the past 10 years with friends in syndicates and a couple solo. My current stable consists of 8 horses, just small shares raced with friends for the fun shared experience (unfortunately not at the moment though!). They’re now mostly raced, and a couple unraced. A recent winner has been Vitesse Breeze who finally, after two close seconds recently, got his maiden win in style.  

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

Generally, I work on supporting those trainers who support me and my work and those who allow me to look after the ones I have ownership in. Most of them I have picked on type of what I like and look for in a horse and the feel I get for them.

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

My best advice is to ask lots of questions about the trainers you are looking to get involved with. Talk to other owners about their experiences with ownership rather than just jumping in. Ask about costs, care of the horses, stable numbers, ownership involvement experiences etc. There is a lot to learn and I have sure learnt an awful lot over the past 14 years with my involvement in the stables I work in and for, and it’s been helpful in making my horse ownership decisions

Do you want to be in our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Carolyn Bloch

“I love racing because I've found nothing else that gives me the same excitement and emotion, and the beautiful friendships I've made along the journey.”

What does your Fred profile say?

I love racing because I've found nothing else that gives me the same excitement and emotion that I feel when one of my horses race. Also the beautiful friendships I've made through my racing journey.

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

I always loved going to the races when I could but thought that being an owner was only for "wealthy" people and out of my reach. That was until I became close friends with Louise Mancinelli, who at the time was a part owner of Brazen Beau. Louise taught me that there is a lot more to racing than just going to the races for fun. I learnt about the welfare of the horses, the training aspect, the approachability of the trainers and many other things that interested me.

Louise said to me "one day you'll be an owner", I didn't think so at the time but it wasn't long before my husband Adrian and I purchased a share in I Am Vinnie (I Am Invincible x Eyes For You). That was over 5 years ago. The ownership group is a private syndication arranged by Louise. Since that time we have also purchased a share in Belsielle who was bred by Louise and is out of Brazen Beau and Catherine Louise. 

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

There has been a few but I'd have to say going to Oaks Day to watch I Am Vinnie run. I had always wanted to go to Oaks Day but hadn't had the opportunity until then, so to go as an owner was amazing! There was a group of us there and although the result was not what we had hoped we had a ball. 

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

It would have to be Winx, she is such an amazing girl.

We know it’s impossible to stop at one, what's your ownership stable looking like now? 

I am happy with the two that we have. I am loving the journey that they have led me on and continue to be on. They are both trained by the fantastic Coral and David Feek from Feek Racing based in Mornington who have enhanced my ownership experience by their professionalism, knowledge and approachability.  

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

Breeding, opportunity and the ownership group.

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

Racing has brought me so much joy and excitement, I have met many people and made a lot of new friends, and it's more affordable than I originally thought. Had I known all this I may have gotten involved earlier.

Do you want to be our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Jamie Higgins

“Whether you have a share small in one horse or own a dozen outright, it really doesn't matter. We're all a part of something pretty special!”

What does your Fred profile say?

It took me a long time to finally get involved and after now having owned a few horses, it's definitely not just because of the winning aspect! It's a dynamic industry to experience, with great people and the absolute stars of the show are the horses. It's 100% consuming and whether you are rich or poor, have a share small in one horse or own a dozen outright, it really doesn't matter. We're all a part of something pretty special!

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

My love for horse racing first began about 20 years ago…my sister was living in Sydney and her neighbour – a guy named Steve Smith, was heavily involved with horses – both racing and breeding. He took me under his wing and I was quickly hooked on the racing industry. His horse that I fell in love with at the time was Gasconnade – trained by Paul St Vincent (and sons Kane and Aiden). He won a 2yo Country Cash Final at Randwick and also competed against Lovely Jubly, Sir Breakfast and Yell as a 2yo in the G3 Champagne Classic in Brisbane – Steve took me along for the ride and I was awestruck! Gasconnade’s career was hampered by injury and misfortune, but my love for racing grew at an exponential rate after that. 

Life got busy, as it does, with mortgages and kids – and I could never justify spending the money to get involved in racing. Then, for my 40th birthday, I decided to finally bite the bullet and fulfil the dream, investing in a yearling with Chris Bieg. I’d known Chris for a number of years and for a boutique stable he'd experienced great success with affordable juveniles from the Adelaide Magic Millions Sale and I felt that was a great environment to start ownership in. That yearling developed into a promising 2yo and ended up winning his first two starts, at Morphettville and then down the straight at Flemington, with me somehow finding myself owning a share in a horse beaten less than a length in a Blue Diamond at only his third career start – Free Of Debt. 

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

I feel somewhat guilty about the immediate success I experienced in horse ownership with Free Of Debt – knowing how much is invested by those that have been involved in the racing industry for so many years. To have my first horse, a Group One place-getter at only his 3rd career start was unbelievable, it was a crazy ride there for a short time. Although he's suffered injuries and multiple setbacks, not having the chance to perform to the level we know he can, to have your first-ever horse run in 3 x G1s, 1 x G2, 2nd to Super Seth in a G3 and also run in 2 x Listed races all before his 10th career start has been surreal, even though they didn’t all go to plan. Even better than that experience has been the friendships we have made within the ownership group and I think we all appreciate we have been part of something pretty unique with him. Also to have an approachable, accessible stable to visit your horses regularly and spend time with them is pretty special – something we have the opportunity to do regularly with CMB Racing.

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

Dead heat between Northerly and Fields Of Omagh from the modern past, especially with FOO’s amazing come back from injury to win his second Cox Plate. Presently (aside from Free Of Debt), it would have to be a horse like Gytrash that gives nothing less than 100% every time he races.

We know it’s impossible to stop at one, what's your ownership stable looking like now? 

Thanks to a financially and emotionally supportive wife, I presently have an interest in three horses, all with CMB Racing:  

• Free Of Debt – he’s had a really solid return since throat surgery back in November. He’s building towards a win, at some stage…. he’s well and truly (over)due! 

• A nice Holler gelding that has just come back from a spell and we’re looking for him to have a positive debut in the upcoming 3yo spring 

• Cross Creek – a tried 3yo filly set to arrive in Adelaide any time now, she’s been a bit underwhelming and luckless so far, but hoping to unlock her potential with a change of environment into the care of Chris Bieg. 

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

With Free Of Debt, it was a mix of having loved his sire – Unencumbered – as a racehorse, and he looked like a "turn key, go” type of horse – as a first-time owner, I had too much exuberance to wait for a long-term maturing prospect - I was certainly incredibly fortunate. I am guided ultimately by my limited knowledge of breeding, advice from Chris Bieg and trusted others, and most critically, what funds are available!

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

I think if I had known earlier how affordable the level of entry into horse ownership was, I would’ve been involved much sooner. The ownership journey launched at a million miles an hour for me and I think the biggest lesson has been dealing with your horse not being happy and healthy through sheer bad luck. I’ve learned things can go from chocolates to boiled lollies pretty fast, so make the most of the good times, enjoying those experiences; and enjoy the company of those around you in the down times – there are invariably going to be plenty of those along the way!

Do you want to be our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Craig Garland

“You only need a small percentage to enjoy to get the full enjoyment that’s for sure!”

What does your Fred profile say?

Need to add that!

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

My mother and father opened the first TAB agency in Maryborough, Victoria back in the mid sixties and my father dabbled with one or two racehorses, not with much luck though. In 1969 we moved to Ballarat where they opened up the TAB agency in Ballarat West and he brought around thirty acres of land in Miners Rest (a couple km’s from Dowling Forest) built some stables and with having five sons (and 1 daughter) he had a good reason to train a few racehorses before he opened the TAB around 10.30am. Before school we would all be up and heading out to ride track work or mucking out stables, three of us would end up race riding. Danny was a top jockey in the Western District and Wimmera areas of Victoria, Shane ended up in SA where he was the leading apprentice in Adelaide and I was a very average apprentice to say the least 65 rides for three winners.

Shane and I owned a horse called Rock Rhythm when we where still at school, she won a couple of races. In the mid late 1990s, I would move to Horsham, Victoria and go to the local races and I was standing there one day with a mate who said we should get a few of us together and get a horse. So we got four other fellas involved and over a 17 year period we had plenty of horses that would win one maybe two races and around $20K which meant that we just broke even. Last straw was at Donald around 2015 the horse we part owned would of ran 15 lengths behind the second last horse. The said horse was by Not A Single Doubt.. must have been the slowest one he sired!

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

We thought we might take a break for a year or so, but kept putting our $80 a month each away and when it get up around a certain amount I would contact Robert Smerdon. Going back to one of my three race ride winners and one of those was for Robert, his first four winners as trainer and my last as a jockey, the horse was called Skejj that was in 1977. I contacted him one Sunday afternoon in January 2016 and explained what we were looking for, we just wanted to be able get a winner midweek at Sandown or if we are lucky enough maybe even a Saturday metro win, and how much we could spend. By June I was worried he’d forgotten about us so I sent him a text message he replied back “Patience is a virtue Craig”, that horse is Nature Strip!!!

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

Refer to my previous answer!

We know it’s impossible to stop at one, what's your ownership stable looking like now? 

• Henry Dwyer has two - Under Oath (brought shares in him at the same time as Nature Strip) – 7 wins, 10 placings from 41 starts $270,000 in prizemoney and Bad Boy Bobby 2yo who is unraced by Better Than Ready

• Daniel Bowman has two also – Ornamental Lady – 1 win, 3 seconds from 6 starts and So She Can Fly 2yo who is unraced by So You Think

• Robert Hickmont – yearling by Toronado (brought shares in this one for my wife Carmel’s 60th)

• and of course with Chris Waller, Nature Strip - the world’s best sprinter!

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I remember when we got the pedigree for Nature Strip, Frank Giampaolo one from our group said it’s got Northern Dancer on both the sire and dam side of his breeding which Frank and a lot of other horse people say is a must, the other five horses I’m involved with have the same cross.

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

No, just enjoy the experience of the highs and lows of the racing game, the other people in ownership group of the horses that you are involved with and the people you meet on the way, be it on the track or at the pub. You only need a small percentage to enjoy to get the full enjoyment that’s for sure and if you can get to the track (damn Covid) to watch you horse, go there is no better feeling to there live!!!

Do you want to be our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Robert Cugno

“Good owners matter so that three quarters of the time we can drown our sorrows together and a quarter of the time we can party!”

What does your Fred profile say?

For the love of the horse.

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

I originally got into racehorse ownership and syndications with a group of school mates as a way of staying in touch and having a common interest. We were finding that life, young families, work commitments and career ambition was impacting on our ability to remain connected with common interests.

We saw horse ownership through a syndicate that consisted of only our small group as a way of ensuring that we remained connected, we caught up regularly and had a shared interest that excited us all. The syndicate and ownership of the horse very quickly became “our thing’.

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

Without a doubt my most memorable experience as an owner has been having a horse running in the Oaks at Flemington on Ladies Day. It was amazing to be standing in the mounting area and to look behind us and see the crowds, the stands heaving with people and “lil” old us standing in the mounting yard with captains, of industry, millionaires and sheiks! It was just brilliant.

The fact that I was able to experience this with of my dearest uncle, my cousin and some of my closest friends was just phenomenal. It is a memory that I will treasure forever. It almost didn’t matter that the horse was outclassed and ran no-where.

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

If I could have owned any horse in the world it would be the great SUPER IMPOSE. My favourite horse of all time!

I still get shivers remembering his amazing Doncaster Handicap wins in 1990 & 1991 where he came sweeping down the middle of the track from last through the field from last to win.

He’s the only horse to have won 2 Doncaster Handicaps and 2 Epsom Handicaps in succession. On top of all of that he won the most amazing Cox Plate of all time where he beat champions such as Rough Habit, Better Loosen Up, Let’s Elope, Naturalism & Burst. He went on to win 20 races, placed 32 times and won $5.4million.

In 2007 he was rightly inducted into The Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

This is the horse I would loved to have owned.

What's your ownership stable looking like now? 

I try to keep my stable to five horses at any one time. Occasionally I might creep over that limit but general I stand firm. My stable currently consists of Listed winner Embracer, two-time winner White Thyme, QLD-2YO She Shall Rule as well as two unraced fillies, Redeeming Spirit and White House Girl. I easily keep track of them, as well as my mates horses I have an interest in, on the Fred App.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I take into consideration a lot of factors when deciding if I’m going to be involved in a horse. These factors include the horse itself, such as breeding, family history of success, the trainer, where the horse is located but most importantly who my fellow syndicate members are. My preference is a group of people who love to party!

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

I have been spoilt as an owner. Especially early on where my second and third horses were sold to Hong Kong interests for a very, very handy return on investment. My 4th horse ended up winning two Group races and my 5th horse ran in an Oaks (see above). Since then, the going has been a lot tougher.

The thing I didn’t know was my experience was NOT the norm. I have come to learn that being a racehorse owner is 75% frustration and disappointment and 25% sheer exhilaration.

This is why good owners matter so that 75% of the time we can drown our sorrows together and 25% of the time we can party!

Do you want to be our next owner spotlight? Email [email protected] to get involved.

Nicole Nugent

“I think that better communication about your horse is the key to a better ownership journey.”

What does your Fred profile say?

I own a share in Sahara Song.

Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours? 

We met Simon at Telstra Dome (now Marvel Stadium) eight years ago when we were having dinner. Simon asked if he could sit at our table, we were playing Carlton that night and we got talking and he said he was a racehorse trainer. I asked him what stable he worked for and he said Ellerton Zahra so after that I started following the stable and then things went from there and we currently have a share in a horse called Sahara Song, a three-year-old brown Your Song filly out of Desert Pegasus.

What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far? 

It would definitely have to be watching Sahara Song win her first race sitting in front of the television at home due to lockdown restrictions unfortunately not allowing us to be on course. It was her fifth start at Sale, a maiden over 1200m and was a great ride from Damian Lane who found a great spot just off the pace and kept her balanced to win by a neck.

If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be? 

I wish I could have had a share in Winx, she was pretty amazing.

What's your ownership stable looking like now? 

We currently just have a share in Sahara Song who has currently been in the paddock after being injured but she’s just about to head into pre training which I am very excited for.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I tend to research the information before I buy into a racehorse but I would look no further than the best in the business, Ellerton Zahra Racing. They really look after their owners and their horses.

Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?

I think that better communication about your horse is the key to a better ownership journey.