TASMANIAN RACEHORSE
0WNERS’ ASSOCIATION
JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2014
Included in this issue are the following:
-
Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Tasmanian Owner
“Excuses”!
Trainer Profile
Tasmanian Summer Racing Season
IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT
TROA MEMBERSHIP TEL. 0438602123 OR 0438241445
TASBREEDERS
Media Release: 2014 Tasmanian Magic Millions
Yearling Sale online
WHAT: 2014 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale
WHERE: Inveresk Showground
WHEN: Thursday, February 13 2014
ON OFFER: 95 Thoroughbred Yearlings
The Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale continues to grow into one of the best value for money
bloodstock sale in Australia, and the recently released catalogue for the 2014 sale is now able to be
viewed on the Magic Millions website.
‘Whilst numbers may be slightly down on previous years, arguably the quality of bloodstock on offer
has improved, with a diverse range of local and interstate sires having representatives in the 2014
edition’ according to TasBreeders Consultant, Nicholas Hay.
Tasmanian breeders have a focus on quality with bloodstock mating, and this is reflected in the 2014
sale catalogue, with an improved standard of yearlings on offer by some of the ‘hottest’ sires in the
country. Horses such as Ad Valorem (USA), Written Tycoon (Aus), Any Given Saturday (USA),
Bushranger (IRE), Estambul (ARG), Hard Spun (USA), Husson (ARG), Incumbent, Ladoni (GB),
Magnus, West Quest (Can), Tough Speed (Ire) and Savoire Vivre (GB) are well represented in the
catalogue.
With yearlings raised in some of the cleanest and freshest environments in the world, the Tasmanian
bred horses over the past 12 months have continued to perform at the highest level. Horses such as
Lake Sententia, Queenstown, Norsqui, Banca Mo, Bia Diamond, Black ‘N’ Tough, North Lodge, all
have started their careers off in Tasmania. These horses have all been raised on some of Tasmania’s
richest agricultural land and handled by some of Tasmania’s very astute horse people.
President of Tas Breeders Robert Eastoe commented that “ from the review of recent Tasmanian
Yearling sales the challenge to our breeder’s was to improve the draft both from a quality perspective
but also the confirmation of the yearlings being catalogued for the Tasmanian 2014 Magic Millions
Yearling Sale. The breeders in Tasmania have certainly raised the bar in what is being offered in the
forthcoming sale. “
The largest draft comes from Grenville Stud with 27 yearlings, followed by Armidale Stud with 22 and
Brooklyn Park with 18 Yearlings.
The ‘ever-reliable’ West Quest (CAN) has one of his biggest drafts for the sale for many years with 20
yearlings to be offered. Proven sires Tough Speed, Incumbent, Magnus are all well-represented with
yearlings from good producing mares.
First-Season sires Super Saver (USA) and Reward For Effort both have horses catalogued.
Horses will be available for inspection from Tuesday 11thFebruary at the Inveresk Showground’s in
Launceston.
Again the 2014 sale will follow the Magic Millions race night at the Launceston racecourse on
Wednesday 12th February, which will give interstate visitors a double reason to make the trip.
The race meeting will feature the $50,000 Brooklyn Park Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) and
$50,000 TasBreeders Magic Millions 3YO Classic (1200m).
For further information visit magicmillions.com.au for a downloadable catalogue or contact
Tim Brown: Magic Millions
timb@magicmillions.com.au
Victorian
and
Tasmanian
agent:
0401307918
Nicholas Hay: TasBreeders Consultant: 0408371760 or via email tas.breeders@gmail.com
Starting early
“I can make a General in 5 minutes but a good horse
is hard to replace” Abraham Lincoln
or
email
MY FIRST RACEHORSE
We have just received the following letter from Adrienne Morely-Brown, who has become an
excited first time racehorse owner at the age of 58 years.
“I read with interest your profile on Owen and Sandra Atkins in a past newsletter. In my archive
of momentos I have a yellowed and faded newspaper photo of their horse, Nehru, winning the
Riana Cup at the Riana Gymkhana. Their connection with racing and all things equestrian, has
been long standing and successful.
In contrast I thought your readers/members might like to hear what it is like to come to racing
the long, hard, slow way. I am one of Tasmania’s newest owners and this is how it happened.
Born in Zeehan, I caught the horse bug quite early, aged about three, when the Caseys rode into
town after mustering their cattle in the scrub. I gazed up in awe at those amazing, magical
creatures with their men perched on top.
1962 saw a move out of the Wild West and into the seaside town of Somerset. New friends were
made and one of them had a pony. Bill and Betty Jago welcomed me into their world and into
their home. Their daughter, Leonie, taught me to ride. She had horses, and racing, on both sides
of the family. Her grandfather won the Hobart Cup with Haughty Boy and her parents raced
horses with George Hanlon.
Leonie, with natural talent, became one of Tasmania’s top equestrians, excelling in every field.
As children we enjoyed many, pony-based adventures, sometimes to Betty’s horror. I was a town
kid and my parents were careful not to encourage my fascination with this past-time. They knew
they did not have the resources to support such a habit. I would hire and borrow (but never steal)
ponies to ride. I slowly and steadily honed my riding skills and my bedroom walls were covered
with horses.
Five years of tertiary education eventually set me up with a degree, a teaching diploma and a
guaranteed job. In 1980, with an independent income, I again addressed the issue of the horses.
My first equine partner was Indy, a second-cross quarter horse, rising two. He was solid, strong,
wilful and clever. He could spin on a sixpence and unpick locks with his teeth. He was also
surefooted, balanced and incredibly comfortable. He developed into a versatile and valued mount
and, in his 29 years, became quite a legend in the Kingston area.
My foray into Thoroughbreds began with Gold Fiore, one of Graeme McCulloch’s early successes.
He had failed spectacularly in his transition from racehorse to showjumper. He was hard and
rough. He had no brakes and very little steering. Apparently, he could/would only canter on one
lead. He wasn’t worth the effort. He was just a mad old thoroughbred that nobody wanted.
Then I got him...and he got me. He seemed to like belonging to a lady. He began to relax and to
bloom. He learned that a canter cue did not mean flinging his head in his rider’s face and scooting
off at full speed. He learned not to quiver at the top of a bank or hyperventilate at the sight of a
ditch. He learned how to pass bushes inhabited by bunyips and he learned, very quickly, how to
canter on both leads. After seventeen wonderful years together he died of liver failure, aged 25
years, late at night, in the rain with me.
2010 was rolling by. Alone for the first time in my fifty five years I consulted my bucket list.
What’s still left to do? Race a thoroughbred! A teaching colleague, and ex-jockey, suggested I
buy a yearling at the magic Millions sale. I agreed. The online catalogue was eagerly awaited.
Then I applied a very scientific selection process. Firstly, I ruled out all the colts as I already had
three mares on a small acreage. Secondly, i highlighted all the fillies sired by “preferred” stallions.
My preferences were based purely on the online stud photos. Modern pedigrees meant nothing to
me, nothing more recent than Vain. Thirdly, I ruled out all the chestnuts. I already had a
thoroughbred chestnut mare, Tap’s Gold, bred by Paul Jones and Carolyn Kitchener. I didn’t
want another one. Of the remainder on the catalogue about four really appealed.
After fairly detailed inspections on the day of the sale, three had lots of ticks. The main
contenders were right at the end of the sale. Lot 148 came into the ring. The crowd was sticky.
The bidding was slow. A late foal, she was maybe too young for the professionals seeking quick
returns. Just maybe, nobody wanted her. My friend nudged me with her elbow. “Come on” she
muttered. “This was one you really liked. Are you gonna put in a bid?”
I held up my catalogue and sold! She was mine. You got yourself a racehorse!
Nearly three years later I’ve loved every minute of it. Regretted not a cent of it. She is being
trained by people with skill and passion whom I admire and trust. I have loved the process: the
groundwork, baking, going to the beach, going to the track, learning about the barriers, her first
gallop at Elwick, her barrier trials and her first races. She has earned me a couple of cheques. She
has a $ average. During her 2013/14 campaigns you might see her going around as Constant
Velocity.
It has taken me 58 years to get here but it’s worth it.”
“EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES”
“Why your horse hasn’t won!”
With Daryl Timms, Herald Sun
Have readers heard any of the following reasons for their horse not winning????
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Missed the kick (start of race)
Stayed in the barriers
Failed to stay (the distance was too far)
Was just getting warmed up when the race was over
Squeezed himself (his testicles were squeezed) around the turn
The mare was in season
Got blocked for a run and struck interference
Over-rsced, pulled too hard early
Needed blinkers
Got his tongue over the bit and choked-down
Just not good enough
Lost a plate
Track was too hard and he jarred up
Track was too soft
Just didn’t feel right
Had no luck in the run
The saddle slipped because the girth wasn’t done up tightly enough
Jockey lot his whip
Jockey slaughtered it
Jockey went too early
Jockey ignored instructions
Another jockey hit it over the head with his whip
Horse felt sore
Was galloped on by another horse
Was trapped three wide for most of the trip
Horse struck itself
Jockey lost his irons
Was travelling well but once the jockey let it down there was nothing left
He just didn’t try
He hung badly and needs a ring bit
Had to work too hard early from an outside barrier
Has had enough this preparation and needs to go to the paddock
Knuckled over at the start when he left the gates
Stayed in the barriers
His barrier gate was slow to open
Got taken on by another horse early and was the first one beaten
Didn’t like the big track
Got on the wrong leg and never felt comfortable with his action
Trainer gave jockey ridiculous riding instructions
Horse bled from the nostrils
Horse broke down
The horse needed a stronger rider
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Jockey listened to the owner’s riding instructions and not to the trainer
Horse locked his jaw and ran off on the turn
Trapped on the fence and saw daylight only when the race was over
Ran his race before the race when he sweated up
Got kicked by another horse behind the barriers
Reared up in the barriers and struck his head
Shied at the crowd and the big screen
Was struck by a seagull
Got savaged by another horse
Not fit enough, needed the run
Barrier attendant had hold of horse’s head when the gates opened
Horse was “dead” and just given a run
Too much weight
Did you know?
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Horses can’t breathe through their mouths
Horses sleep between two and three hours per day. Only 45 minutes of
this sleep time is spent lying down
A horse has approximately 205 bones
Foals are born with legs 90% of their full adult length
Foals can stand up within one hour of being born
Horses teeth never stop growing
It takes 9 – 12 months to grow an entire horse hoof
TRAINER PROFILE
with Gary White
How did your career as a horse trainer start?
I grew up in Goodwood/Risdon Vale area and I always liked horses. I had friends who
were involved in horse racing. They took me down to the stables and from then on it got
into my blood and I couldn’t get it out of my system. I’d spend as much time as I could
around the racetrack. I’d always wanted to ride. I’d see the greys the Clerk of the Course
rode at the race meetings. I got to know where they were stabled and who looked after
them and managed to get into riding them.
I started working with horses as a farrier. I had a few horses in work by that time. I
came across a bloke called Danny Bourke and he had a horse called Scruples that had a
lot of problems. He asked me if, once he got the horse sound, I knew of a trainer that
would take him on. I said “Today’s you’re lucky day – you’re looking at one!”
Your stable “Scruples Lodge” is located at the Brighton Training Complex.
How many horses do you currently have in work?
At the moment we’ve got 20 in work. We’ll be cutting down to about 17. We’ve been
lucky, we’ve always had a big stable, but we want to streamline a bit and become a bit
more of a “cottage” stable where we can be a bit more selective and give the due diligence
that clients deserve.
You’ve trained many winners over the years. Is there one that stands out as a
highlight?
Winning back to back Launceston Cups was super and so was winning the Magic Millions
in Queensland with Tempest Tost, the first Tassie horse to ever do that. Horses like
Stuyvesant and Man on the Run winning all those weight for age races, and horses like
L’Espion and Midnight Cruise, when I got the quinella in the Cup. I’ve been very lucky
and to single out one would be unfair because they’re all important. I remember my first
maiden winner and that gave me a huge buzz but, I guess, that winning a million dollar
race has got to mean a bit more than most. Tempest Tost winning that big one and
having my son Grayson there with me at the time was very special.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I’m looking forward to the fact that we’re going to cut down on stable numbers. I’m very
lucky with the support of the clientele that we have. I would like to think that we can
offer our clients a quality service with quality horses. I’d like to concentrate on winning
feature races and some of the bigger races interstate.
Is there anyone in racing circles that you admire or you would consider to be a
role model?
In Tasmania, two names spring to mind – Len Dixon from Devonport who was
sensational to me in my early days as a trainer and I used to really enjoy my competitions
with George Blacker. We were both very fortunate at the time to have runners in feature
races. He’s a person I’ve always respected and admired. He could really manage and get
the best out of a good horse and when George had a good horse in your race you knew you
were in for a battle.
TASMANIAN SUMMER RACING CARNIVAL
Racegoers have a lot of feature races to look forward to in the next two months including
the following:
Tasmanian Racing Club
19th January
Hobart Guineas / Lady Lynette / Summer Cup
2nd February
Elwick Stakes
Carbine Club 3 YO Plate
Tasmanian Derby
Bow Mistress Jockey Club Cup
9th Februarty
Strutt Stakes / Thomas Lyons Stakes
Betfair Hobart Cup
Tasmanian Turf Club
15th January
Alpha Bowl
22nd January
Thousand Guineas
Tattsbet.com Stakes
12th February
Magic Millions 2 YO Classic
Magic Millions 3 YO Classic
Night Cup
19th February
Tasmanian Oaks
Vamos Stakes
26th February
Gold Sovereign Stakes
3 YO Classic (handicap)