The Magic Millions/Atkins Photography SA Owner of the Month award winner for August was David Brook part owner of Ferivia. David Brook – Outback Cattleman, Lifetime Breeder David Brook, 77, is best known as an outback cattleman with five Queensland stations covering 30,000 square kilometres, but for more than half a century he has also been a dedicated racehorse breeder and administrator. As long-time president of the Birdsville Race Club, Brook and his family have played a central role in maintaining one of Australia’s most iconic race meetings. A passionate student of pedigrees, Brook often studies bloodlines going back as far as 15 generations, preferring to breed racehorses from affordable matings rather than purchase expensive yearlings. He owns around 12 broodmares and has purchased just one yearling in the past two decades that being the Tivaci colt Matahga a listed winner. His approach has delivered winners across multiple levels, including Terbium (Zeditave Stakes, Gr 3) and seven Birdsville Cup victories, most recently with Neodium the cup winner in 2023 and 2024 Brook’s methods highlight his belief in thoughtful in-breeding and reinforcement of proven lines. His decision to send Streetcar Express to Astern produced Ferivia, winner of this year’s Quezette Stakes (Gr 3, Caulfield). The mating combined duplications of Danehill and Rory’s Jester through Exceed And Excel and Not A Single Doubt, reinforced by Sadler’s Wells and recurring lines of Mahmoud. Brook regards such in-breeding as key to both speed and stamina influences, with Ferivia showing the potential to progress beyond 1200 metres and toward Guineas targets. For Brook, the challenge has always been to breed competitive horses through knowledge rather than cheque book. His family syndicate, Saddlers Knife, continues to race homebred stock nationwide, underlining the depth of his contribution to Australian racing as an owner and breeder. The Saddlers Knife syndicate has experienced a great run in recent months exemplified by the two Group race wins by Ferivia. The filly by Astern out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Streetcar Express has currently raced five times for 3 wins and a second and earnings of $346,600, having recently added the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude. Streetcar Express was lightly raced before heading to the breeding barn where she has also produced Effline (by Terango – David’s stallion) winner of one at Charleville and Effusiv (by Pride Of Dubai) winner of one from three starts. The granddam Streetcar Stella (by Blevic) was also lightly raced with one win from her eight starts with a further 3 minor placings. She has produced amongst others, Streetcar Heaven (by Stryker) winner of two races; and Belle Reve (by I Am Invincible) also a two-time winner. The third dam Stellar Fille (by Filante) left two stakes winners; Streetcar Isabelle (by Danerich) who won an Oakbank Stakes and is the dam of a stakes winner in Streetcar Stranger (By Stratum) and also Streetcar Magic (by Blevic) winner of a DC Mckay Stakes and a total of seven races and more than $300,000. Other progeny of Stellar Fille include Streetcar Valour (by Lion Heart) who won four and was placed in eighteen other starts netting more than $210,000) and Streetcar Illusion (by Stratum) winner of three and more than ($140,000) Ferivia looks set to extend the success of the Streetcar family which began with Stellar Fille. The contribution of David Brook and his family to racing both in South Australia and in outback Queensland is undeniable and we wish them continuing success.

The Magic Millions/Atkins Photography SA Owner of the Month award winners for July are Jan and Ron Dean part owners of Affaire Vue. They were nominated by Michelle Ovenstone who told us this: I would like to nominate Jan & Ron Dean for the July Owner of the Month for Affaire Vue.  Affaire Vue broke her maiden at Mildura on Friday 18 July 2025. It has been a patient journey for Affaire Vue’s owners.  For over two years we’ve known she has talent but it’s taken a while for the penny to drop.  Jan & Ron always attend the MacMillan Racing stable days and are at the track to watch Affaire Vue’s jumpouts, trials and races no matter where they are held – they even travelled to Mildura for her win! Jan and Ron told us:  When Ron and I first saw Affaire Vue being paraded at the MacMillan stable we both immediately liked her. Affaire Vue is bred to run longer distances and being sired by DUNDEEL we look forward to her up and coming races to see if this comes to fruition.   Ron and I have been with the John MacMillan stable for over 10 years and have had lots of exciting times with our just retired Aiguilette.  We always aim to see our horses race wherever they go.  As the Dean’s mention Affaire Vue is by Dundeel from the All American mare Farsight. To date she has won 1 race from 8 starts with 3 seconds and prizemoney just more than $40,000. Her dam, Farsight was lightly raced and she has also left three-time winner Par Five (by Pariah) and Affaire Vue’s full brother the lightly raced Dunali who is also trained by John MacMillan. The grand dam Ain’t Seen Nothin’ (by Nothin’ Leica Dane) won three Listed Races in Sydney and her record stands at 29 starts, 8 wins, 2 seconds and 5 thirds and winnings totalling over $614,000. In addition, she left two stakes winners in Bachman (by All American) who is a full brother to Affaire Vue’s dam Farsight , he was able to win up to Group 3 level from his 4 wins and amassed over $440,000. The other stakes winner from Ain’t Seen Nothin’ was the twice listed winner Ain’Tnofallenstar (by Starcraft) who won 4 races and over $170,000 and is also the dam of a multiple stakes winner in Ain’Tnodeeldun (also by Dundeel) winner of seven races and almost $700,000 In addition the granddam also left Star Pupil (by Starcraft) dam of two stakes winners including five time stakes winner three of which were at Group 1, that being the mighty Snitzel mare Lady Shenandoah who has won five of her seven starts and over $1.8 million. As can be seen clearly Affaire Vue is regally bred and will hopefully progress to more success over staying trips. We wish the Deans the best of luck with her following on their successes with the eleven-time winner Aiguilette.

The Magic Millions/Atkins Photography SA Owner of the Month award winner for June was Kate Barnes, part owner of the enigmatic Ginger Sinner. Kath was nominated by Jodi Buchecker who told us this: I’d like to nominate Kate Barnes for Owner of the Month. She is a major shareholder in Ginger Sinner, trained by Paula Trenwith, who won at long odds at Morphettville last Saturday (28/06) in a truly gutsy performance. I manage a syndicate (OneOne Waza Racehorse Syndicate) which is a minor owner in this same exciting horse. Previously my syndicate was a minor shareholder in another horse, Magic Delta (Cookie), also trained by Paula. Kate was the majority shareholder of Cookie; she welcomed us into racehorse-owning with open arms, allowing us to be involved in a small way in the excitement of watching our Cookie girl run, and even win several times. When Cookie sadly died last year following a devastating race injury, we were offered shares in a new horse Paula had subsequently acquired (in which Kate is a major shareholder). We wanted to continue with the family feel we had developed, so we jumped at the chance. And we’re so happy we did. Kate has had some battles with her health in the past few years, so we’re really excited for her that we’ve all been lucky enough to have stumbled into such a great new association with Ginger Sinner. We have high hopes for him! Kate gave us the following comments after being advised of her success: WOW! What an honour, having had a lifelong passion for horses this means a lot and is really a lovely surprise. Being a massive Collingwood supporter, I am somewhat used to riding the highs and lows that go along with horse racing. As Jodi has highlighted the owners of Magic Delta now share in the racing the very exciting Ginger Sinner, (better known as Timmy) trained by Paula Trenwith who definitely had her hands full with this chestnut. Thanks to Paula for her patience with Timmy and all her hard work is really starting to shine through with this horse and his results. Paula and I have shared a long mutual friendship as trainer/owner and friend for 20 years plus, her patience and knowledge with the horses is second to none. I have entrusted her with many of my horses and continue to do so. Ginger Sinner (apparently named after tennis champion Jannik Sinner) was a tried horse from the Jolly Stable where he ran 5 times for three seconds and third before transferring to Paula Trenwith. He has now won two races and picked up another second. His record now reads 10 starts for 2 wins 4 seconds and a third and earnings of just over $75,000. The chestnut three-year-old is by Castelvecchio out of the Snitzel mare Oceanway. He was the first foal of the mare who has left another named but unraced filly. The grand dam Slice Of Paradise (by Encosta Del Lago) is the dam of the Group three winner Beneteau (by Redoute’s Choice) a stallion who produced 7 individual stakes winners in two seasons at stud before his unfortunate death. The third dam Oceanfast (by Monde Bleu) also produced a black type winner in the mighty Alinghi an 11 times stake winner with 4 at Group 1, she is a full sister to Slice Of Paradise. Amongst others Alinghi was the dam of the ill-fated stallion America who stood several seasons at Rosden Park. With continued improvement over recent starts Ginger Sinner looks an exciting prospect for the Trenwith stable and his owners like Kath and Jodi

We at SAROA were saddened today to learn of the passing of former SAROA president Ken Cock. Ken was a passionate supporter of racing and racehorse owners in particular and was a member of the SAROA committee from 2016 through to 2024. He served as SAROA President from 2018 to 2021 and as Vice President from 2021 to 2024. Ken took over the role of President at relatively short notice in what was a turbulent time for the association. He enthusiastically took on the role of rebuilding SAROA’s relationships with other industry bodies. His intelligence, communication skills and ability to think outside the square contributed strongly to SAROA and to racing in general. He will be missed.

The Magic Millions/Atkins Photography SA Owner of the Month SA Owner of the Month for December Dennis Gardiner chats with Gary Newton on the At The Barriers podcast. Listen here

Listen to Alana and Gary here

 The SAROA ‘Above and Beyond’ Award Apprentice Award for 2024 went to Alana Livesey. SAROA members were asked to nominate apprentices for this award against the following criteria Putting in extra work with a horse or horses who need that to perform theirbest or for their well-being; Good communication with owners; Demonstrating a commitment to their profession despite setbacks orchallenges; Demonstrating a commitment to equine welfare; Demonstrating leadership and/or sportsmanship; and/or Any other particular circumstances that the nominator considers relevant tothe nomination. SAROA received five nominations for the award this year with Alana receiving all five. She was praised for her excellent communication with owners and her work ethic and professionalism. A worthy winner of our award, she also was recognised as Runner Up to the Dux of the Academy. Congratulations Alana on these well deserved accolades.

Since its inception, our Owner of the Month Award has been known simply as the SAROA Owner of the Month. Over the years, we’ve acknowledged the support of our various sponsors, but the award name has remained unchanged. Recently, Terry Hann from Atkins Photography approached us with a thoughtful suggestion for enhancing the prize. He offered to create a personalized bottle of wine featuring a photo of the race winner. After discussing this idea with our other sponsor, Magic Millions, we are excited to announce the award’s new name: The Magic Millions/Atkins Photography SA Owner of the Month. The revamped award will continue to include the $200 voucher from Magic Millions, redeemable at the Glenelg BBQ Inn. In addition, the winner will now receive a personalized bottle of wine valued at $95 from Atkins Photography. Below is a preview of the label for our first winner.

John Kelton showcased his expertise in punting and form analysis at the recent SAROA end-of-year event, captivating attendees with his journey and insights into the racing world. Fresh off the plane from Melbourne, where he had been filming GetOn SA, John shared stories of his early days in racing. Inspired by his grandfather, he immersed himself in the sport, accompanying him to trackwork and race meetings across South Australia. Despite starting his career as an engineer, John’s passion for racing led him to the Northern Territory, where he worked as an analyst for All Sports. Eventually, he returned to South Australia to pursue a career focused on the punt. At the gathering, John provided a rare look into his family-built database and the meticulous process he follows to gather intelligence from various sources. This data, combined with his unmatched attention to detail, enables him to frame markets and assess runners’ chances with remarkable accuracy. It’s no surprise that John is regarded as one of Australia’s premier form analysts and tipsters. SAROA members were grateful for the time he generously shared, and with his lessons in mind, they’ll no doubt be looking to land a few extra winners in the weeks ahead. 60 seconds with ‘Kelts’ 1. Favourite horse (that you don’t own): Winx 2. Which horse would you like a share in? Via Sistina 3. Jockey to ride for your life? Matthew Neilsen 4. Best track to punt? Morphettville (outer) 5. What track haunts you as a punter? Mornington 6. What horse haunts you as a punter? Redzel 7. Which track do you miss more, Cheltenham or Victoria Park? Cheltenham 8. How valuable is trained on track in SA provincials? Very valuable at Strathalbyn and Oakbank but less so the others. 9. Superstitions? None 10. Favourite Group 1 race? The Goodwood 11. A race meeting worldwide you’d like to go to? A big UK jumps carnival 12. SA apprentices on the rise? Alan Lai & Brooke King 13. Favourite gear change? Blinkers off 14. Black Caviar or Winx? Winx