Oh how they grow up so quickly #horseslearninghowtorace

It’s intriguing to watch homebred babies grow up and this fella (09 Red Ransom ex Shantreusse) started off as a foal that needed to be tube-fed on his first day because he wouldn’t latch on. We kid that he was just too lazy to feed himself and he knew everyone else would do it for him!

lil fella less than a day old and passed out after a good feed

As a foal he was goofy colt and often lost track of Shantreusse- busy looking around and what’s going on before scurrying to catch up with his mum at Princes Farm – foaled and raised.

And all grown up after being broken in as a yearling at Limitless Lodge.

Photos from trackwork at Warwick Farm via trainer Matthew Smith.

Well wishes of racing luck and wellness to his connections and stable. In my humble opinion, this sport (for me) is built on 100% hope/faith and 0% expectations. So we can only hope he will enjoy his racing career and show promise with much faith. After all, this is the Sport of Patience, not so much the Sport of Kings.

Birthday Wishes to All Horses

Best Wishes of Wellness, Success, Joy, Love and Racing Luck 

to

All Horses

Happy Birthday! 

Horses Learning How-To Race #horseracing

We came into 2011 pretty quiet with our horses in racing after selling most of the geldings and retiring Allez Wonder and Elle. A decision had been made to start fresh with a couple of yearlings, 3YO gelding Mr Gold recovering from tie-back surgery and late maturing 2YO Allyouneedislove.

Allyouneedislove (Lonhro ex Flying Mahal) just finished another prep at Matthew Smith’s stables, we’re taking our time with her as she needs time to mature and fill out. Her name is fitting to her nature as she’s the ultimate lovebug.

The rising 3yo filly has an obliging attitude and shown good action in trackwork. She enjoys the company of people around her, quite happy to have us hangout with her in her box though she’s not as obliging with other horses around her. Allyouneedislove often forgets she’s a bit smaller than the rest and still lets out a bite or kick when other horses get too close to her paddock bestie or human-friends. Too cute, huh?

She’s A Queen (09′ Charge Forward ex Cooberpedy) finished a second round of barrier education and was due to begin her first prep at Matthew Smith’s stable. Along her first road trip as a yearling to the stables, the feisty filly let out a kicking spree in the float and sustained a cut on her off fore fetlock. The joint needed to be flushed and as of Sunday she trotted up well at Randwick Equine post surgery and is healthy to travel out for a 4 week spell before a second try at a preparation. She’s racy and lovely to ride, just very big on personal space and a bit of princess!

There’s a reason why her nickname is ‘cheeky-pedy’ and once she put on a patience-testing act whereby it took 45minutes to catch her in the paddock After rounding up her friends first. She also tried to throw in a kick or two during the process of this little exercise. As the sheepish owner/breeder I’ve apologised on her behalf, though I partially blame her ‘hippie-mum’ Cooberpedy for being one of those mothers: letting her babies run wild and shall I say, ‘free spirited.’

Dylan Thomas ex My Wife’s Advice ’09 filly has been tipped out for a spell as they found an infection in her guttural pouch over a week ago. The infection has cleared up and she will return to Matthew Smith’s stable in 4 weeks. She’s an athletic filly that keeps her mind on the job during trackwork and was purchased by Matthew at the ’11 Magic Millions GC Yearling Sale in January.

Mr Gold (Encosta De Lago ex Coliape) for SC Khaw has resumed work at Bart Cummings’ stable after over 4 months off. The time off we feel is well suited for the 18HH rising 4YO gentle giant.

Zenny aka ’09 God’s Own ex Golden Zen filly has broken in well and is due to make a roadtrip to her new home to Andrew Payne’s stable at Ballarat. The cheeky hat stealing filly has a charismatic nature and I’m looking forward to racing her with the Paynes and their mates. Zenny holds a special place in my heart and though the circumstances at the sale were grim, I’m truly heartened by how the situation has panned out for all of us. As the experience and journey about the begin has started with all connections on the same page: love & patience for horses and passion for racing. Certainly something to look forward to! We’ve yet to name her but it seems fitting to find a name in honour of Allez Wonder.

We have a couple of yearlings that have recently been broken in:

Flying Spur ex Tully Thunder ‘09 colt purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Matthew Smith for SC Khaw and partners.

Flying Pegasus ex Queen Dido ’09 filly purchased at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Tony Noonan for partners and Suez Thoroughbreds.

Red Ransom ex Shantreusse ’09 colt purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Inglis as Agent for Matthew Smith and SC Khaw.

Churchill Downs ex Miss Josephine ’09 filly (in her flashy winter coat) purchased at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Su-Ann Khaw for Suez Thoroughbreds.

As for the God’s Own ex Pleasant Change ’09 filly for SC Khaw, she’s yet to be broken in as being a God’s Own filly out of a Zabeel mare, she’s a late maturing type that will need plenty of time – in which we’re happy to give her all the time she needs. Once she’s broken in, she will head down to Patrick Payne’s stable.

Some say horseracing is “The Sport of Kings.” In my honest opinion, I believe it is “The Sport of Patience.”

All In a Name #horseracing

After watching Cooberpedy foal her 09 Charge Forward filly and being the first foaling experience for me, it only seemed fitting to retain the filly to race for sentimental reasons. People may say that you can’t or shouldn’t have sentiment in business and that may be applicable to most businesses. Horseracing, to me is enjoyable and driven by passion. Passion is intangible and it’s part of what we feel, as I’ve said before, the day I feel no sentiment or emotions in this sport it’s time to move on.

So what’s in a name? The 09 Charge Forward filly is out of Cooberpedy (Desert King ex Tears for Fears) – also known as the town Priscilla Queen of the Desert was filmed at. After two tries of songs from the soundtrack only available in 2012, we’ve decided to name her: She’s A Queen. 

She’s A Queen

Taking Zenny Home #horseracing

Being a small breeder with five broodmares, it is easy to become attached and well acquainted with the mares and their progeny. Spring is my favourite time of the year as I have the opportunity to spend more time with the horses at Princes Farm, often watching a mare or two of mine foal.

I missed out on Golden Zen foaling her 09 God’s Own filly (nicknamed Zenny) , but I arrived at the farm a few weeks after and one of my first memories of her as a curious foal always sticking her nose in my hand! Her mum Golden Zen enjoys a good scratch and pat, over the years she’s come out of her shell and it’s great to see her grow into a confident mare.

Zenny’s developed into a cheeky filly, in Autumn I visited her at the farm and she walked over to the gate to say bye. I patted her and she stole my hat! I tried to reach over to grab it back and she took two steps back before waving it at me (you could almost hear her say “nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh” in a mocking tone) and dropping it on the ground, sauntering away. Yes, it would have to be one of my own to do that to me!

Zenny had been nominated in the last yearling sale (Magic Millions National Yearling Sale) of the year as the decision came about to dissolve the partnership in the filly. As I arrived at the yearling sale to say hi to Zenny, I felt a pang of worry knowing it would be difficult to sell her with the market being down and being a filly by God’s Own (unfashionable sire of the moment), a little upright and offset – it wouldn’t help her cause at all.

So, the stress kicked in. If she doesn’t sell, we’d be back to square one. If she sells for too little, what will happen to her? If I retain her, how am I going to race/maintain another racehorse and who will train her? All these questions flooded my head over the past few days and even more so when I was told she wasn’t getting any second looks.

She went through the ring on Monday and I walked over to her box to take another look at her. Her usual curious and friendly self came over after I called out her nickname. Looking at her “take me home to my paddock please” face I knew that if I didn’t buy her back, what would happen to her? She didn’t ask to be foaled and as a part-owner, I’m partially responsible for the mating done and I should ensure she goes to a good home.

As she paraded through the ring and I knew she would probably end up with me, as the hammer fell at $2000 I knew I had her. It’s not a desirable price for the filly to go through the sale at, it felt awful to have that price-tag attached to her, but the market dictates the price and as many breeders have suffered due to the circumstances of the market. Far from pleasant and as this is a year of many firsts for me, this experience being another addition to the list.

After organising for her to be brought back to NSW (to be broken-in) via Goldners, I started to worry of what to do with her and where to stable her. Maintaining a cheap (by comparison) racehorse costs as much as an expensive one (excluding insurance). Daily expenses and ensuring the horse goes to a stable that will give her the best chance at a successful career and cared for in a loving home too.

After speaking to Michelle Payne (Allez Wonder’s jockey in the G1 Toorak Hcp and friend) about Zenny and wanting to send her to a Country Trainer, a decision had been made that Zenny will go to Andrew Payne at Ballarat. I’m very much pleased to send Zenny to the Payne family as their passion and love for horses is the perfect environment for the filly.

We have spoken of naming her in honour of Allez Wonder as the proceeds of her sale that I received from Suez Thoroughbreds, will help pay for Zenny’s training fees, agistment, etc. I still speak of this beautiful mare Allez Wonder all the time because even though I don’t own her anymore, she continues to give so much in fond memories and I will always be grateful for being a part of her racing career.

 Zenny will be my first racehorse owned outside of Suez Thoroughbreds, and holds a strong connection to our family with her dam Golden Zen being a close relation to G1 Epsom Hcp winner Allez Suez – Dad’s first G1 winner. I hope she will bring connections much success, as in my humble opinion I always believe in racing/breeding place 100% of hope/faith and 0% expectations to enjoy the best of the sport.

Zenny getting her feet done – Spring 2010

Shantreusse foals her first winner – Startreusse #horseracing

Shantreusse’s first foal (08) by Starcraft named Startreusse (2YO) won on debut at Canterbury (18/05/11) for Chris Waller’s stable. BC3 Thoroughbreds purchased Startreusse in the 2010 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Session II for $100,000, Lot 601. Racenet wrote of his win in  this article .

Startreusse as a weanling with his paddock mate (Encosta de Lago ex Cousins) at Princes Farm

Startreusse is from the first crop of yearlings Suez Thoroughbreds bred on our own and this win is much heartfelt for us and our small band of broodmares. I recall watching him go through the ring, it was getting dark out at Inglis Newmarket Sale Complex (he was one of the last few lots to go through), turned to Dad under the Fig Tree saying “gosh, I’m so nervous – I hope he sells!” Looking at the thinning crowd and being at the back of the catalogue, I remember breathing a big sigh of relief as the hammer fell at $100,000. It’s wonderful to watch him race and win for his new connections. I wish his connections best of racing luck and success with Startreusse’s racing career.

Shantreusse currently in foal to Starcraft and she foaled a lovely Henrythenavigator filly in Spring ’10.

Shantreusse and her Henrythenavigator filly a few hours after foaling

#horseracing Saying Goodbye to the Million Dollar ‘babygirl’

Allez Wonder ’10 at Lelani Lodge

Every time an emotional cord is struck in this sport we all feel much passion for, people say “that’s racing.” It is constantly uttered when emotions arise and I’ll be the first to admit it was very difficult to say good-bye to Allez Wonder at the fall of the hammer, I knew the mare I had affectionately called ‘babygirl’ would no longer be mine to call.

When Allez Wonder arrived at the sale complex I waited eagerly to see her and my heart fell when I could see she didn’t know why she was at a sale complex and clearly wasn’t happy about being away from ‘home.’ She looked beautiful and her coat glistened in the sunlight but I looked into her eyes and I felt a pang of guilt.

Arrived at the sales complex 

I knew she ‘had’ to be there because a partnership is a partnership, every owner has the right to manage how they see fit. I couldn’t buy her outright on my own and all I could really do is stand outside her box and keep her company. It is a business and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made and will be made, but at the same time it is very hard to watch a horse that has already done so much for me be unhappy or uncomfortable.

Posing for the cameras (aka equine paparazzi)

People may tell me that I’ve got to ‘toughen up’ and ‘that’s racing.’ Indeed it is and the tough decisions were made but I think the day I put a horse I love dearly through sale/auction and not feel anything, is the day I know my passion for horse racing is over. Because when I think of how hard she tried in her G1 Toorak win in 09 and the journey she took me on as my first Melbourne Cup runner, how could I possibly not feel anything? I have always been a firm believer that animals are full of sincerity and she had always been honest about hating wet tracks! Also as honest as they come when she took all the right gaps in the Toorak, beating the boys and winning an Open Hcp G1.

Keeping Allez Wonder company outside her box

As a valuable maiden mare, potential buyers were requesting a breeding certificate. As she returned, doped up from sedatives with her tail lifted in a rather limp state, I felt gutted. I peered into her box and kept saying ‘babygirl, I’m so sorry..’ knowing the next day would be her day to go through the ring.

Arriving at the sale complex with my reserve in mind, I knew I had to say good-bye. She paraded beautifully and all credit to Selena Phillis and her team at Princes Farm for preparing her through their draft. Her coat glowed and she had let down nicely, the 6 months off did her the world of good.

Allez Wonder glowing in the parade ring

As the bidding loomed around $950,000 to $975,000, I felt nervous and took a deep breath as the hammer fell at $1 million. It was the strongest bittersweet taste I had harbouring in my mouth for a good minute as I got up to rush back to her box to say one last good-bye (actually, before I left the Inglis sale complex at 6pm I snuck around the say good-bye again).

I write with much respect and appreciation, having Inglis sell Allez Wonder as the 2011 sale topper of $1 million is an experience (both bittersweet and overwhelming with gratitude) I’ll always remember and be thankful for in many ways. It was very difficult to watch the mare I called ‘babygirl’ since she was a filly uncomfortable in new surroundings, especially since she had already done so much for me.

Allez Wonder is the first sale topper I’ve put through an auction and in all honesty, I felt a bit SLAD (Sad and gLad). However, I know she is going to good home with Patinack Farm and she will be well taken care of. I wish her new connections best of luck and may she bring them as much joy as she has given me over the years.

Visiting Allez Wonder at Princes Farm March 2011