“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!
