I’ve learned a lot today.
If you are a regular reader of this site, you’ll have noted that the sidebar of the front page records a steadily increasing number of winners.
And I’ll admit that ever since the consultancy side of my involvement in racing and breeding began in the early 1990’s, I’ve toyed with the idea of accumulating 1000 winners. I’ve always had a soft spot for records – why not set one of my own?
Well, the magic number popped up last Saturday, but it wasn’t until this afternoon that I figured out what had happened.
I knew – or thought – that Amberecho’s Riccarton victory was win #998 so was looking forward to checking out the entries for the final day of Riccarton Carnival. From nowhere came the idea to check out the produce of Terry Archer’s Thorn Park mare, Shaylee Wilde.
I quickly discovered that the recommended mating I’d done for her back in 2016 had morphed into the Zacinto gelding, Joey Jaws. Last year he won a maiden at Queanbeyan and just last Saturday he scored an unexpected victory at Cunnamulla. This was a non-tote meeting featuring a five-race card so it’s fair to say the competition could fairly be described as being weak as it’s possible to find.
Moreover, I’d never heard of Cunnamulla and, for once, Google wasn’t overly helpful. I did learn that the town was some 750 kms from Brisbane and that the railway line goes no further. Accommodation is available at reasonable rates (mixed reviews) and outback tours are offered by enterprising locals.
Anyway, surprises (of both sorts) are an integral part of racing so it’s symbolic that the milestone arrived how it did.
And isn’t it symbolic that this 1000th win was a product of the concerted efforts of so many people. (One gets the impression that Joey’s Jaws is less enthused about racing than his succession of owners and trainers).
So I’d just like to pay tribute to all those industry professionals who have helped me on my way from August 1974 to 5 November 2022. It’s been a blast!
