Emily Schulz

“The ride that these horses take us on is the best experience in the world!”

What does your Fred profile say?

The ride that these horses take us on is the best experience in the world!

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

It’s taken me a while to finally dip my toe in and it was a bit of a buy now or cry later scenario for my first two purchases. It all started with me being that horse crazy girl you would have in your class at school, there was always one! I would always be playing Saddle Club with friends, doing any project I could on horses and begging my parents for a pony of my own for most of my childhood. I eventually borrowed ponies from friends and went through pony club and competing for school in eventing and mounted games. I did that until I was old enough to work and afford a horse of my own at the age of 14, an off the track thoroughbred who raced by the name Kuwait (nicknamed Carter). I was interested in his background because he’d love to go for a gallop but upon researching he never won a race, although he did have five minor placings from 14 starts. 

This made me realise that if I wanted to be happy in life, I would have to pick a career that I loved and that would involve obviously horses. I did my school work experience at Markdel with Lee and Anthony Freedman, and despite the early mornings, my true love of racing sprouted. After finishing school, I completed a Bachelor Degree of Equine Studies and got hands-on experience at various racing stables, horse studs, Melbourne Racing Club, Inglis and Living Legends. Being surrounded by horses and making friends with many horse owners it was hard to keep me away! I decided I was ready when I saw this blue eyed flashy chestnut filly come up for lease with a stable I worked near, I enquired but the response went to my junk mail and I missed out on the opportunity. I decided from then on, I wouldn’t miss out on another that caught my eye!

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

It’s still early days for me as I have only just bought into two yearlings but actually going to see them in the flesh at the stables is my favourite. I’ll probably be one of those owners that goes to every race no matter where it is, I love the adventure of it all! I also love to share in the celebrations of my friends horses that I have a keen interest in and keep up to date how they are going and when they are running via the Fred App, it’s a great tool for racehorse owners and swaying friends to get into a horse with you!

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

It would have to be Winx, a true queen of the turf. The influence she had on the sport and bringing new people into it to share in the thrills was phenomenal. How she could just toy with her rivals and even us spectators, she was truly magic on the racetrack and something we may never see again, very happy to be alive for that.

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

I have shares in two yearlings for the moment. I had been following a Highland Reel filly since the stud she was at posted her picture on Twitter. She had unusual markings for a thoroughbred, chestnut with four white stockings, a big blaze and a splash of white on her belly. I immediately asked what sale she was going to and kept a close eye on her, she had an okay page but her half sister has since been a winner since buying into the filly which is a bonus. She was sold to Mitch Beer and I quickly enquired before being disappointed once again and now I own a little piece of her!

I decided that we should not have our eggs all in one basket and saw a lovely Tavistock that Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr had bought at the same sale. He was a full brother to Tavisan who I had ridden at the beach a few weeks prior and I immediately fell in love. One colt and one filly with different backgrounds, stables and goals to set us up for a bit of fun win, lose or dead-heat. I even got my non-horsey parents into the horses as well and they’re loving it so far.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

They have to really catch my eye! If I’m at the sales, I’ll put my Bachelor Degree to good use and check out how they walk, what their temperament is like and how they’re built although I will admit I was online shopping (thanks Covid) when I bought into the colt and filly but something about them really made me open my wallet. I have since met the colt and he’s a beautiful, sensible boy who doesn’t mind a cuddle! I also look at the breeding and if it’s a stallion I liked on the track, then I will give their progeny a go. I also only got into racehorse ownership with the view that if they are slow and the opportunity arose, I would be happy to give them a life after racing on my family farm as not many owners can say the same.

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

I’m only at the start but I feel like I’ve seen and experienced enough dealing with owners and racehorses in the past to know what is coming! I think the key is to not be one of those annoying owners, let the trainers train, don’t have high expectations and just have fun!

Clare Lindop

“I think I fell in love with the whole magic of a secret language and communication with a horse.”

You’ve accomplished so much in your career as a jockey, where did your love of racing come from? 

I’ve always loved animals, and was drawn to horses from a young age. I think I fell in love with the whole magic of a secret language/communication with an animal. I was 10 years old when I learnt to ride at St Marys Pony Farm, and from the very first time I sat on a horse at I was hooked.

I had my own horse and competed at Pony Club etc. I started working in a racing stable at 14 years old, and the thrill of being part of helping the racehorses to win was something that gave me great pride. I looked up to the jockeys, and really admired the female jockeys who were riding at the time I was strapping at the races. Jockeys like Caroline Mason, Bernadette Payne, Christine Puls, Sally Wynne. I left school at 15 to become an Apprentice Jockey, and the rest is history!

What's been your most memorable experience at the Adelaide Racing Carnival, as a rider and/or spectator? 

Competing on my “home turf” for the Adelaide Racing Carnival was always pretty special to me, I used to get a thrill just getting rides in the “big races” and then to be able to match it with arguably the best jockeys in the world, and some the best horses in the world too was sensational. I rode against Takeover Target and Black Caviar as an example, which were both amazing race days, with the crowds appreciating the spectacle they were.

Winning the Group 1 SA Derby in 2009 on Rebel Raider was an accomplishment I am very proud of, and so satisfying, because to me he showed his staying dominance and the way he did it was with incredible stamina. I wish he had of stayed sound for the 2009 Melbourne Cup tilt. (we all talk about the one that got away in racing!)

Winning the Group 1 Goodwood in 2011 on Lone Rock was a big thrill, as that 1200m race is one of the best sprints, and tough to win. The feeling of riding through the pack and bursting through on the inside to hit the front was exhilarating.

However I would have to rate winning the Group 1 Adelaide Cup in 2006 – and creating history as the first Australian female jockey to win a Group 1 as my highlight of the Adelaide Carnival. I was aboard Exalted Time for Jim Smith, and together we put together a bold plan to lead all the way. I knew I had to judge the pace just right, make it a true staying test, but still to give my horse a breather. Coming around the home turn, I could hear all of the challenges coming behind me, I kept my head done and rode for the finishing line. Exalted Time extended his lead, all I could feel was the blood was rushing through my head, and a surge of pure joy as we reached the winning post. It was such a big thrill, and I was so proud of Time, he tried his heart out for me. This win of a major race like the Adelaide Cup also did put me on the map, and gave me the confidence to know I could compete at the top, all you need is that one opportunity and the hard work can pay off. 

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

Black Caviar – Would have loved to have met the Queen at Royal Ascot!

Now you’re no longer a jockey, you get the opportunity to be an owner! What does your ownership stable look like? 

Over the years I have helped many friends get involved with horses, my parents have had shares in horses as well. For myself, I am only just starting to get involved with some small shares, taking an interest in a couple of different young horses. I have been looking at ways to start a syndicate in Adelaide, to involve more people and create a fun environment while introducing people to the “behind the scenes” with racing stables, track work and a race day experience with friends. I love helping to explain to people the way we work with our magnificent animals to create them into the athletes we see at the races.

You’ve won many races yourself, which race would you most like to win as an owner?

The same I would have loved to have rode the winner of… the Melbourne Cup of course! I am only just starting out on the ownership in a small way, but that’s the beauty and intrigue of horse racing. You never know what that unraced 2yo may be capable of.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I do like to look at breeding, and it helps when I have first hand knowledge of the sire or dam, by either riding against them or riding them myself in races. This can also help when you know a horse who may not have reached their full potential on the track “on paper”, and you know that you may be able to spot a “bargain” in this way.

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

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great! In other words, nothing ventured nothing gained! But seriously just take the first step to get involved. I do wish I had of put together my own syndicate… something I am working on now… watch this space.

Barbara Gray

“I love horse racing because it gives the opportunity for anyone to be involved with horses in a capacity that can adapt as your knowledge and time allows”

What does your Fred profile say?

As an owner you can indulge your love of horses and have horse racing as a great interest that you can decide on the level of participation.

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

I love horse racing because it gives the opportunity for anyone to be involved with horses in a capacity that can adapt as your knowledge and time allows.

For Ken and myself it definitely has… My father and uncle were apprentice jockeys to Harry Telford of Pharlap fame, although training was curtailed by WWII needs. My father did not resume riding but my uncle Les Fisher worked throughout Victoria and Tasmania as a jockey for many years. On Mum's side, Doug Mack was a racehorse trainer in Mordialloc and later on the Gold Coast. 

Our personal involvement started when Ken had a cursory interest in the horse Jet Fighter early on in Melbourne but it wasn’t until 1999/2000 that we were given the opportunity to participate in two horses strictly as a hobby,  after relocating to the GC some years earlier.

We are very fortunate that on the Gold Coast we are very close to some of our trainers and that has allowed us ongoing interaction with stable staff, trainers and the horses that some owners may not have the ability to do in larger cities.

Our hobby has led from that initial interest to breeding and racing quite a number of these beautiful animals. The range of people you meet in racing is fantastic and the opportunities the industry in Australia presents to people to contribute is staggering. From people working at horse studs, breaking in and agistment farms, many from overseas, to the Fashionista or just a Day at the Races – It is all your choice and to be honest the horses will still give their all - whether you are present or not!

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

I was most excited the day our horse Eptimum won a Group 3 just before we saw Winx parading before winning her 3rd Cox Plate. Very very proud of Eptimum and what a fabulous athlete Winx was. An absolute treat to see her race live and a credit to all involved with her.

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

A horse I wish I had had an involvement in is Danehill. What this horse has done for breeding around the world is amazing and his participation in Australia’s breeding definitely put our industry on the map. Everybody in racing world wide knows the Danehill name.

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

It goes a little something like…. White House Girl, Modelka, Great Keppell, Usmanov, Stellar Class, Astro Boy Toy, Xerri, Barassi, Tayella, Grand Zou, Capital Miss, Indian Dreamer, Sacred Zim, Decisive Heart, Global Citizen, Nick The Skip, Divine Courage.. I think that’s all of the named ones! 

I am also passionate about life after racing for horses and have always tried to ensure that all horses we have been involved with have rehomed according to their needs,  ability and individual personalities.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I speak a lot to people who’s opinion I respect in the racing industry about horses we are considering to purchase. The breeding is a big part of this also but we do not use a formula as some do to determine our ultimate purchases. These days we are mainly involved in horses with others. This gives us the opportunity to spread the risk and also be involved hopefully in many more enjoyable wins.

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

I wish I knew at the start how much money this hobby was ultimately going to cost us. But we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Well I couldn’t have it any other way but not so sure about Ken!!

Josh Rodder

“I love racing for my connection with the animal and the racing community.”

What does your Fred profile say?

I love racing for my connection with the animal and the racing community.

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

I had worked in racing stables and racing media passionately following racing through my teens, but I’d never owned a share in a racehorse due to financial reasons.

When playing football at Hampton Rovers, I had a mutual interest in racing with many friends I played with and a good mate let me know there was a share in a tried horse available when I was 21 years of age. We had the opportunity to buy into a tried racehorse called Tirol King that John Meagher had trained. A group of mates got involved and Brendan McCarthy became the new trainer. Tirol King won a race for us and the mateship and the journey was enjoyable one, with regular visits to the stables and lifelong racing friendships cemented.

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

Diode, who is sadly not with us anymore and it still breaks my heart. He was a talent, with real spunk and part of our family. He was bred and nurtured by a dear racing friend of mine, Kristen Manning and we had been on a truly special racing journey with Diode and a wonderful ownership group, with two fantastic horsemen, Mick Kent and Doug Arnold leading the way.

He won a midweek race at Sandown in August last year, during the COVID lockdown and sadly no one was there to share my maiden Sandown winner with me, but it was a very emotional win. Kristen and I started working together when I had just finished school at the Truth Newspaper. She is a true horse lover and one of the most passionate horse people I know. I got really emotional after the win and was looking for someone to hug, but social distancing protocols made that impossible. Despite flying solo on the day, it was truly a special day in my racing life that I will never forget. Also winning a race at Caulfield early last spring, with my work colleagues Julian Cook, Jake Norton, Josh Blanksby, Damian Menz and close friend, trainer Andrew Noblet with Think We’re Due was a memorable ownership moment.

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

Without a doubt it would be So You Think. Special horse with an amazing race record and presence. True equine adonis!

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

I have a nice, young group building:

• Think We’re Due with Andrew Noblet (Returns to work this month after a long spell)

• Euphegenia with Andrew Noblet (Just back racing)

• Dewhurst (Being patiently managed by Archie Alexander)

• Haruki (Unraced Kuroshio selected from paddock in 2020 by Leonard Russo from Bluegrass Bloodstock, with Will Clarken)

• Needs Further x Saigon Moonlight (Slowly maturing filly selected by Andrew Noblet and good friend George Lucas at the Tasmanian Magic Millions sale in 2020)

• Just A Way x Saariselka (Purchased as a foal by good friend and bloodstock agent, Leonard Russo from Bluegrass Bloodstock. Just landed with Phillip Stokes as a NH 3YO)

• Isla Bonita x Tsukuba Etoile (Purchased as a foal by good friend and bloodstock agent, Leonard Russo from Bluegrass Bloodstock. Lands in Australia in September as a NH 2YO)

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I enjoy talking to the trainer personally, so I enjoy ownership with trainers I have a relationship with and have the time to talk about our horses. I also like to support friends breeding horses and often relying on astute friends, who know what they are looking at in young horses. I do enjoy exploring pedigrees and leaning on pedigree experts for advice.

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

Patience wins out and keeping a lid on your aspirations

Tracey Van Rooy

“I wish I knew how much fun racehorse ownership was earlier – I love it.”

What does your Fred profile say?

Errr… Nothing as yet – best update that!

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

Living in Warrnambool, you can’t help but have an interest in horse racing.  Growing up, my mum and dad used to let us kids have a 50c bet on a Saturday afternoon. Mum got her love of the horses from her dad - my pop, who back in the day, was an SP bookie from Koroit. I have been friends with Bryan Martin for a long time and asked him one day to let me know if he had a horse I could be a part of.. and it just grew and grew from there.

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

Although it wasn’t a win, last week at the Australian Guineas with Zou Dancer running was just electric. My first Group 1 race and owners were able to be on course. My heart was pounding as the horses were loaded into the barriers and I had tears in my eyes. I was so excited.

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

I’d have to say Tycoon Tracy for sentimental reasons. She had so many good runs against Lady Lynette and my late mum’s name was Lynette. Dad and I used to have a few bets on those two – and we had a few collects!

But having said that, I am extremely lucky and excited to be presently involved with both Zou Dancer and On the Bubbles.

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

I just counted them up – OMG, we have shares in 21 horses!!

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

Bryan sends out information about syndicates and new horses and we tend to say yes to most of them..

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

I wish I knew how much fun it was earlier – I love it.

Damien Ractliffe

“I love the adrenaline of cheering a horse as it chases the winning post!”

What does your Fred profile say?

'I love the adrenaline of cheering a horse as it chases the winning post'

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

I would have been in my early 20s when I was looking to get into my first horse. I searched a number of trainer websites and found a son of Star Witness to be trained by Mick Kent, and decided I'd buy in.

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

My most memorable experience would have to be seeing that horse win at Bendigo on Caulfield Cup day. I was at a picnic meeting at Avoca for a bucks [arty, but all the boys watched the Bendigo race on a screen in the Avoca bookies ring as I cheered Supergrass winning by five lengths at about $8.

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

It would be hard to go past Chautauqua; he was a thrilling horse to watch. I would have loved to have gone to Hong Kong as an owner and watched him take out the Chairman's Sprint from last, that would have been quite a joy.

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

I've actually got little shares in five horses at the moment. A three-year-old Dissident filly with Bennett Racing and Malua Racing called Defiant Diva, who is progressing nicely. The other four are unraced: a two-year-old Winning Rupert filly with Dream Thoroughbreds and Ciaron Maher Racing called Lawbreaker, a two-year-old Dissident gelding with Mitch Freedman, a two-year-old Dundeel gelding with Gemma Rielly, and a two-year-old Holler filly with First Light Racing and Ellerton Zahra Racing called Screaming Diva.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

I started a little syndicate where we decided to get five per cent of five horses. The idea was to get five from different trainers and syndicators so we could get a diverse experience. All five were around the $50k-$80k mark as yearlings, so at $2500-$4000 for a five per cent share, I think is a pretty good price point for someone looking at entry level racing.

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

Probably that there's little value in colts once they're gelded! Hahah. My preference is fillies, as it only takes a few nice wins for them to have some residual value at the end of their careers, which gives you a bit of money back to invest again. Soul Star was a horse I raced with Dream Thoroughbreds and she won $179,000 on the track and was then sold for $110,000 as a broodmare, after being purchased for $50,000 as a yearling

Amy Evans

“I’m at my happiest when I’m at the track, surrounded by horses and friends!”

What does your Fred profile say?

I just couldn’t imagine my life without racing. The beauty of the horse, the thundering sound as they run down the straight, the adrenaline rush of a win and I found my second family that I never knew I needed. I’m at my happiest when I’m at the track, surrounded by horses and friends!

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

How I got involved in racing is a bit of an interesting story. Unlike many, my family was never involved in racing, besides from having a small bet on the Melbourne Cup each year. I always loved horses though and convinced my parents to let me have a Shetland pony growing up (and now I have two miniature horses). One day on a summers night as my family was sitting outside having dinner, I decided that I wanted to win the Melbourne Cup and obviously, I need a horse to do that. A family friend had a horse with Impressive Racing, so within days I had contacted them and organised a time to visit their farm to pick a horse.

You don’t get many young, disabled females involved in racing, so they were very surprised when I turned up. Wanting to make sure my first ownership experience was a good one, they showed me around the farm and at the horses they had shares available in but had organised privately with my Dad to get me involved in a good horse. The horse I picked was way down the back of this paddock. It turned out Impressive Racing had a good opinion of him and let’s just say that now everyone turns to me when they pick horses.

I ticked off another racing bucket list with that horse too, with my name Master Magician being chosen as his racing name. I’ve been addicted since and the rest is history!

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

It’s hard to pick just one memorable experience, but I think it would be the lead up to my first Group 1 race (the Railway Stakes). The Velvet King had won the Group 3 Northerly Stakes, not only guarantying him a spot in the Railway Stakes but giving me the biggest win of my racing career. Then I was the lucky (haha or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) to draw his barrier for the Railway Stakes. I was told to draw between barrier 2 and 8 and ended up with barrier six. You should have seen my face, full of relief, when the number was revealed. We were one of the key favourites leading into the race and the pressure was like nothing I’d felt before. Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan, and he didn’t win, but it was the best experience.

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

This is a very hard question, but I think it would be Winx. I was at Randwick for her last race and the atmosphere was just electric. To have a horse that I could share with the public and to have them love the horse as much as I do would be the dream. Rogan Josh would be the other horse I’d love to own. It’s no secret that the Melbourne Cup is the race I’d like to win the most, but I’d like the horse to have humble begins here in WA, just like Rogan Josh.

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

Very full, but there is always room for more!! I’m very lucky in that my ownership stable is filled with some very good horses, including The Velvet King (Universal Ruler gelding) and Clairvoyance (Nostradamus filly), who is unbeaten in her four starts and getting lots of attention from the racing industry on social media. I’ve also got 3 two-year-olds (including a full sister to The Velvet King) and a yearling with Impressive Racing.

I’ve also been lucky enough to be gifted shares in three horses, two of which are yet to hit the track. I’m a nothing in, nothing out owner, with my share of prize money going to the Make-A-Wish Australia Foundation, a cause I’m very passionate about having been a Wish child myself (I swam with the dolphins in 2009). Our first horse was Ace’s Wish (a combination of my initials Amy Catherine Evans and Make-A-Wish) back in 2016 and thanks to those owners, we’ve raised over $10,000 for Make-A-Wish.

I’m not going to lie though, at the time of answering these questions I’ve got my eye on another yearling and two foals. So, don’t expect this ownership stable to slow down any time soon!

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

The charity horses I don’t get a say in, but for the horses from Impressive Racing it’s a combination of looks and what the heart/gut says, plus a touch of breeding. The reason I say a touch of breeding is that I have a twin sister and we are so different, so I apply the same theory to racehorse siblings. I continue to buy shares in Impressive Racing horses too because that stable does such a great job at looking after me as an owner.

People say that I have an eye for horses, which makes it a bit hard to explain when people ask how I pick them. However, when it comes to looks, Mum says I have a type; big and muscley. A horse’s walk/movement is important to me too, they must be loose, something I learnt from reading “Watching Racehorses” by Gerald Whately. I’m a sucker for white markings too (The Velvet King’s face was the reason I fell in love with him).

The heart/gut is nearly always right though, and I let it guide me in every purchase (which is really not helping at the moment when it comes to not buying more horses!). Horses like Clairvoyance I picked nearly purely on a gut feeling (she had a good look about her too). I met her when she was just 6 months old and she stood out in the paddock even then. It’s easy to see it now, but she just has the x-factor aura that is hard to explain but even harder to ignore.

Sometimes I’ll ask the opinions of others in the stable and Darren (the trainer), but if a horse ticks my boxes, I’ll always buy a share (haha if I can afford it!).

If you want to learn more about how Amy picks her racehorses, click here to read her blog.

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

It’s so much more affordable than you realise! The joy you get from racing is just priceless though!

Jodie Fessopoulos

“It’s a fabulous sport and a wonderful way to meet new friends”

What does your Fred profile say?

I love racing because it’s a fabulous sport and a wonderful way to meet new friends. It also happens to be the career of my son and his partner.

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

As my son Liam Riordan was apprentice to The Corstens at Malua Racing, I was on their email mailing list so received information on horses available most days.

I received information about a Dream Ahead filly and she caught my eye. I mentioned her to my husband and he too said he was taken with her.

We purchased a small share.

She races as Dream First she won one race, had two 2nds and a 3rd in 12 starts.

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

The most exciting experience I have had so far in racing is being trackside at Caulfield with ‘the girls’ to see our racehorse Kobayashi win 2 races.

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

Makybe Diva. I would love to own a horse that won one Melbourne Cup never mind three! She’s a legend.

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

Presently I have shares in three in work

• All Too Terrific (Leon & Troy Corstens)

• Raazou (Leon & Troy Corstens)

• Seasa Future (Mitch Beer)

As well as 2 Kobayashi colts, a yearling and a foal.

I also own a mare who is currently nannying a foal after we lost another Kobayashi colt in October 2020.

How do you decide which horses to get involved with?

Purely intuition, it’s worked so far with 7 out of 8 horses I have selected having saluted.

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

I didn’t realise how long it took to get a horse to the track. It can be a very slow process, patience is the key.