By Claire Power
Queensland Racing encourages racehorse ownership
When 85 people signed up to join Queensland Racing at the Own a Racehorse Open Day, they didn’t expect to be in the draw to win a share in a racehorse.
But that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, November 12 for two dedicated horseracing enthusiasts.
When Brisbane trainer Lyle Plumb heard about the initiative he was eager to jump at the chance and offered two shares in a syndicate of three horses.
Two lucky people walked away as racehorse owners for 12 months, all expenses paid, courtesy of Lyle Plumb Racing.
When Patsy Harcourt-Cooze’s name was announced she couldn’t believe her ears and had to be pushed to the front. And when Steve Claridge heard his name announced he didn’t know what to think.
First, he was getting the chance to shake one of his favourite jockey’s hands, Michael Rodd, plus he was being given a share in a horse syndicate.
You couldn’t have asked for a better Sunday afternoon.
A chance to hear from our industry experts
The announcement of two shares in a syndicate of three horses was no doubt the highlight and topped off a very successful day, but that was just one aspect to the jam-packed outing.
Master of ceremonies, Ross McKeown from the Magic Millions, led the group through a day of information sessions starting at Queensland Racing headquarters, Deagon.
Shaun Dwyer kindly opened his stables to the public with Shaun McCarthy giving a guided tour to the keen crowd.
They were then treated to an exhibition gallop with Amanda Ware sending a Fusaichi Pegasus filly around the track while Deagon Track Supervisor George Mawhinney introduced the facility.
It was over to trainer Lyle Plumb to talk about his experience and responsibilities as a trainer to an owner before the group had a chance to look at the swimming pool and learn about the benefits of swimming a racehorse.
The group then travelled to Palmaday Stud at Beaudesert to hear from well-known Oakey veterinarian Reg Pascoe, who touched on subjects such as injuries in racehorses.
Bob Frappell, President of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Queensland Association, introduced the group to the Queensland breeding industry while Wayne Milner, President of the Queensland Racehorse Owners Association, spoke about buying a yearling at sales such as the Magic Millions.
Palmaday Stud owner Tony Rae and general manager Jim Buchanan then opened up the parading area, introducing their stallions Significant Hill, King of Happiness and Minardi, some lovely yearlings and two-year-olds as well as the crowds favourite – a five-week-old foal following keenly behind his mum.
The buses then headed to the Queensland Turf Club to hear from Group 1 winning jockey Michael Rodd, who flew from Melbourne to speak to the group.
Questions started flying at Michael with the crowd eager to hear about his preparation before a race, the way he communicates to owners and much more.
Owner Wally Tutt also inspired the group with his tales of ownership while Queensland’s Chief Steward Reid Sanders and Deputy Chief Steward John Hackett gave the group a look at what goes on behind the scenes at a raceday.
All up, the group was given a down-to-earth look at the racing industry, in particular owning a racehorse.
However, events like this are not possible without the support of the industry and Queensland Racing would like to thank the following:
- Palmaday Stud
- Queensland Turf Club
- Lyle Plumb Racing
- Ross McKeown
- Shaun Dwyer
- Shaun McCarthy
- Michael Rodd
- Wally Tutt
- Reg Pascoe
- Bob Frappell
- Wayne Milner
- Amanda Ware
- Brisbane Turf Club
- Gold Coast Turf Club
- Sunshine Coast Turf Club
- City Pacific Finance
From a bird’s eye view
By Lisa Campbell
The diverse cross-section of the demographic that attended the “Own a Racehorse Open Day” was an eye opener.
There is no way we could have ever predicted the type of people that would attend this first time initiative.
People arrived from all walks of life; from the young professionals, to the retirees, the mums, the dads, brothers, partners and anyone in between.
There were breeding enthusiasts who wanted to extend into the racing spectrum and those racegoers who race horses in the Southern states, but want to explore Queensland possibilities.
And those who just wanted to know a little more on the ins and outs of racing.
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