“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!
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