“I love racing because of the ability to be involved as an owner, punter, spectator and get involved at all levels with family and friends....... and the thrill of getting a winner!”
What does your Fred profile say?
I love racing because of the ability to be involved as an owner, punter, spectator and get involved at all levels with family and friends....... and the thrill of getting a winner!
Everyone has a story about getting into racehorse ownership - what's yours?
My daughter was in Primary School (now Year 12) and one of her friend’s Dad was a key part of Mark Kavanagh’s team and getting to know him I asked him to suggest a horse for us to get involved in. He found a colt (soon gelded) by Starcraft that was a beautiful horse and extremely placid and won a race but didn’t like running too fast. We got the bug and then went into a New Approach filly (Fast Approaching) which won five races, four of them city wins and three at Caulfield. We introduced some friends to racing ownership with this horse as their first and we have had many together since.
What's been your most memorable experience as an owner so far?
Apart from winning multiple times in the city with various horses and the luck we had with Fast Approaching, the highlight was having a Derby runner in Savvy Oak a couple of years back was a fantastic experience. First Light Racing, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young said from the outset they would get it to the Derby and they did. He ran 7th and should have finished closer with a better ride following the winner instead of threading needles between horses. He then ran 2nd in the Adelaide Derby and only beaten by a filly which was disappointing but being at Morphettville was amazing. He then competed in his 3rd Derby in Qld, and I was on course for that too.
We also had a small interest in Violate, a multiple city winner, 3rd in Geelong Cup and 4th in a Queen Elizabeth – had some great times with that horse and the ownership group.
If you could own any horse in the world (past or present) which one would it be?
MAKYBE DIVA – to win three Melbourne Cups under handicap conditions with 2 different trainers is a remarkable feat.
We know it's impossible to stop at one, so what's your ownership stable looking like now?
Savvy Oak – still going around but not the class of his 3 year old career but hopefully getting close to a win – has given us a great experience
Quillers Delight - young and big filly with good prospects for Autumn and beyond after a few fails in first prep
Ikara – maturing gelding which has had 2 races but will get better over time
Nasdana – unraced 2yo filly
Star Stock – now gelded after being described by the trainer as a ‘reptile’ as a colt. Looking forward to future preps as good feeling with this horse
How do you decide which horses to get involved with?
Initially it was with my contact at Kavanagh Racing but post that I was checking up on syndicators and came across First Light Racing. Tim, Sam, Ash and the team have been great. We have now had four horses with them including three of the current stable. They do syndication exceptionally well and give owners a great racing experience – from involvement at the sales, to stable open days, to yearling parades, awards nights etc. I follow their purchases around the country with interest and now looking for the next one. I follow the sales and take an interest in the bloodlines so if the breeding sparks an interest we will look to get involved. Have some mates keen on another so on the lookout now….
Anything you didn’t know at the start of your ownership journey that you wished you knew?
Syndicators are the best way to enter the industry for first time owners – their communication and experience given is the key to success.
If you want some mates/family/friends involved together set up your own syndicate and take small interests in multiple horses – diversification is good.
