Our Owner of the Month award winner for September is Nicole Irwin for Call Me Vexatious. Her husband David sent us this nomination I would like to nominate Nicole Irwin as owner of the month with her/our horse Call me Vexatious The home bred gelding by America has always been consistent but in September he shone with 2 wins and a second in city – one win by 5.5 lenghts. He is a tough individual and a true example of an honest SA bred horse Although he can be a handful at the races and has some quirky attributes, we believe this only makes him a more honest racehorse We look forward to heading to a few more Racing Rewards races and the Skybeau series in the Spring At the time of writing Call Me Vexatious’ record stood at 32 starts for 6 wins 8 seconds and 3 thirds for earnings of almost $240,000 which includes Racing Rewards bonuses to the tune of $28,700 and hopefully more to come. Call Me Vexatious is a home bred by the beautifully bred but ultimately ill-fated stallion America (by Snitzel out of Alinghi) who has left one stakes winner to date in Lingani. The dam of our winner is the Reset mare Circadian who placed twice during her career and left only one other progeny Vexatious Boy (by Legion) who was able to win once. Cleverly name Circadian is out the Rhythm mare Sense of Rhythm, who raced only once. None of her progeny have been outstanding. On the other hand, the third dame Fearless Dancer (by Danzatore) who during her time in New Zealand produced a stakes winner in Dipping (by Straight Strike) who won the listed STC Triscay Stakes. Another of her progeny is the Lord Ballina mare Sazende who produced several nice horses for fellow SAROA member Lynette Day including Wotzitworth (by Face Value) and See Me  Rollin (by Good Journey). Call Me Vexatious is one of the stars of the Irwin stable and we wish them luck with him, the other Vexatiouses and the rest of their stable.

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Our Owner of the Month award winner for August is SAROA Life Member Michael Birchall with Mazovia. Michael told us this: I commenced racing horses in 1968 with my first winner being Glad Verse trained by Pat Barns. It was also the first winner for then apprentice Jim Mettam. (After his riding career Jim went on to be Clerk of the Course for many years and has recently retired) I have raced horses ever since the best being Celestial Choice and  Dance Baby Dance and more recently Invincibella , Mileva and Brazen Style. Mazovia was bred and is raced by Mill Pk Stud and myself. In between times I have been Chairman of the SAJC and Racing SA. Mazovia is by Impending out of the Beneteau mare Mazurek. She has won two races from 4 starts and has earnt almost $50,000 with over $8000 in Racing Rewards bonuses to her credit. As Michael mentions she was bred in conjunction with Mill Park Stud who retain shares in her. Her dam Mazurek raced 26 times and was able to win 6 races and over $180,000. Mazovia was her first foal and there is a named half-sister by Deep Field owned in the same interests who is yet to race as well as two other unnamed fillies. The grand dam Babieta (by Juene) has produced Balaklava Cup winner Temps Velour (by Time Thief) who was able to salute 12 times and amassed just over $450,000. Others of her progeny include the handy Xaar mare Xaieta Others of Michael’s horses include Mileva (by Headwater) was bred by SAROA members Dr Geoffrey and Christine Tucker, she won four stakes races including the Group 3 Sir John Monash and has recently been served by Snitzel. The mighty Invincibella (by I Am Invincible) winner of 12 races including five at stakes level culminating in the Group 1 QLD Tattersall’s Tiara. Michael also mentions Brazen Style (by Brazen Beau) who he bred to win a MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Group3 level. SAROA congratulates Michael on winning our award and wishes him future success with his horses.

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Our Owner of the Month award winner for July is Darren Thomas with Everglade. Darren provided us with a detailed story about his involvement in racing with Seymour Bloodstock which we thought was worth reproducing in full: Darren Thomas unintentionally and uneasily has become a prominent figure in the Australian industry of horse racing, he has made a significant impact with his thoroughbred racing business, Seymour Bloodstock. His journey into the racing industry is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a strategic partnership that has helped shape his success. The Beginnings of Darren Thomas in Racing Darren Thomas’s entry into the world of horse racing was not a traditional one. Initially, he was an avid fan of the sport, enthralled by the thrill of the races and the beauty of thoroughbreds. Playing football for Sturt he spent many a footy trip punting on the horses but soon realised that he had a passion far greater than the punt. Some would say he quickly became a tragic of racing However, his interest in racing soon grew beyond just being a spectator. Recognizing the potential in thoroughbred racing and breeding, Darren decided to dive deeper into the industry, seeking to combine his business acumen with his passion for horses. Thomas began his journey by purchasing shares in racehorses and there began his introduction the world-famous Lindsay Park racing team. This initial foray provided him with valuable insights into the complexities of horse ownership and racing. Little did he know at the time that he would meet lifelong friend and business partner Mark Pilkington who was David Hayes’s right-hand man. He also met a young wine industry employee Sam Hayes who was just coming back into the family business after an early career in the wine industry.  His experiences during these early years laid the groundwork for what would become Seymour Bloodstock, a name that has since become synonymous with excellence in the racing industry. The Foundation of Seymour Bloodstock Darren Thomas founded Seymour Bloodstock after a discussion with Mark Pilkington who in his own right was at a crossroads in his own career. Thomas knew he could not realise his vision without key people around him much like his own business Thomas foods. The goal of Seymour Bloodstock was clear: to develop a successful thoroughbred racing business that prioritizes both the welfare of the horses and the success on the racetrack. Seymour Bloodstock quickly made a mark in the racing community. With a keen eye for selecting promising young horses and a dedication to proper training and care, Thomas’s operation began to thrive. It wasn’t long before Seymour Bloodstock started producing winners on the track, capturing the attention of trainers, jockeys, and other owners in the industry. Achievements and Notable Wins Seymour Bloodstock’s rise in the racing world has been marked by several notable achievements. The company has been involved in the ownership and syndication of numerous successful racehorses, achieving multiple victories across Australia’s major racing venues. Some of the most memorable wins include victories at prestigious races, showcasing the quality and potential of the horses under Seymour Bloodstock’s banner. One of the standout horses in Seymour Bloodstock’s portfolio was Merchant Navy, He took the team on a journey you can only dream of highlighted by meeting the Queen iat Royal Ascot. Seymour Bloodstock’s reputation as a serious contender in the racing world began to flourish. The Influence of Mark Pilkington A key figure in Darren Thomas’s success with Seymour Bloodstock is Mark Pilkington. Pilkington, a highly respected bloodstock agent and former racing manager, who has played an instrumental role in guiding Seymour Bloodstock’s growth and achievements. Thomas and Pilkington’s partnership began when Pilkington’s extensive knowledge of horse breeding and racing aligned with Thomas’s ambitions for Seymour Bloodstock. Pilkington brought with him a wealth of experience and a network of industry contacts, which proved invaluable in helping Thomas navigate the often complex and competitive world of horse racing. Pilkington’s influence on Seymour Bloodstock has been profound. His ability to identify potential in young horses, combined with his strategic approach to training and racing, has greatly contributed to the success of the business. Under Pilkington’s guidance, Seymour Bloodstock has consistently acquired quality horses that have gone on to perform exceptionally well on the track. Building a Legacy in Racing Darren Thomas and Seymour Bloodstock have come a long way since those early days of buying shares in horses. Today, the business stands as a beacon of success in the Australian racing industry, known for its commitment to excellence, ethical practices, and competitive spirit. Thomas’s journey, bolstered by his partnership with Mark Pilkington, reflects the power of passion and collaboration in achieving success. Together, they have built Seymour Bloodstock into a respected name in racing, with a legacy that is sure to endure for years to come. As Seymour Bloodstock continues to grow and evolve, Darren Thomas remains focused on his goal of building a world-class racing operation. With a proven track record and a team of dedicated professionals, Seymour Bloodstock is poised to achieve even greater heights in the competitive world of horse racing. SAROA congratulates Darren on his successes and thanks him for his support of SAROA.

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Our friends at The Highway have two sports lunches coming up in September that could be of interest to SAROA members. Thursday September 5th – Peter Moody of Black Caviar fame – for details click here September 13th AFL Hall of Fame Inductee Chris McDermott for details click here

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Our Owner of the Month award winner for May is Tony Grantham part owner of Sioux Warrior, Tony told us this about his experiences in racing: My family has been involved with racehorses for many years and have always had an interest in racing. As a child I would go to races with my grandmother, she would always follow a number of jockey John Letts and Johnny Stocker were just two. Now I have a nephew Lewis Grantham who is a horse trainer and I have a few shares in some of the horses he trains. I have had a number of shares in racehorses over the years with David Jolly, John MacMillan and Darren Magro and I am still waiting for that illusive group winner! Lol Sioux Warrior is a lightly raced three-year-old by Sioux Nation out of the Tiger Hill mare Punch On. At the time of writing his record stands at 13 starts for two wins and five minor placings with earnings of $51,645. His wins have both come this preparation as he seems to have matured well and learnt what the racing game is all about. His sire Sioux Nation is a Group 1 two-year-old winner by Scat Daddy who shuttled to Australia for just the one Season standing at Coolmore. So far, his best Australian progeny is the Queensland Oaks winner Socks Nation as well as the stakes performer Archo Nacho Sioux Warrior’s dam Punch On won the Group 3 Vogue Rogue Plate and $846,000 on the track. At stud she has produced Bellows (by Zoffany) winner of over $100,000 who is unfortunately deceased as well as three other unraced foals. The second dam School Blue (by Geiger Counter) was unraced but as well as the stakes winning Punch On, she has produced Punch Up (by Sunday Knight) winner of 6 races and over $200,000, School Rumble (by Sequalo) who won 7 races and over $135.000, Nudgee (by Publishing) another winner of six, and  Bohdi Blue (by Northern Meteor) dam of High Blue Sea (by Merchant Navy) who has so far won three of seven and earned over $172,000 Sioux Warrior is trained by John Macmillan and appears to be a promising type going forward and will hopefully deliver more wins for Tony and the rest of the ownership group.

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Photo courtesy of Atkins Photography. Our award for 2023 goes to Maggie Collett who is apprenticed to Justin Pickering. Maggie was chosen because of her dedication to return to racing after a difficult run of serious injuries. We also recognise that maMaggie has improved her communication skills both directly to owners and during media interviews. We had an opportunity to chat to Maggie about her career in racing. She grew up in Yarraville Victoria where she started riding at Werribee Pony Club, she subsequently progressed to Eventing and then to riding trackwork. She rode work for the likes of Chris Waller and the Troy and Leon Corstens. Realising that the path to an apprenticeship in Victoria would be difficult and opportunities limited, she made the tough decision, as a nineteen year old, to move on her own to South Australia. She began an apprenticeship with David Jolly, during this time she struggled with homesickness but she was able to ride her first career winner for David on With Gravy and won four times on stable favourite Fulton Street She progressed to ride several metro winners, the first being on The Raven for Kristi Evans before a run of injuries struck. Maggie broke her coccyx in a fall (clearly not an ideal injury for a jockey) then having just returned to the saddle dislocated her shoulder badly enough to require surgery. This was followed by another break to the coccyx and then she broke her shoulder in a race fall. Surely that would have been enough for her to consider a career change but Maggie persisted and returned to riding. During the injury period she had transferred to Wayne Francis and Glen Kent, and then back riding she joined the stable of John Macmillan before moving to Sue and Jason Jaensch where she enjoyed success. Maggie’s latest injury was a serious concussion which kept her out of the saddle for the best part of a year, before she could return to racing. Around this time she and partner Justin Pickering purchased their own training property and gradually work commitments there meant it was more practical for Maggie to transfer her indentures to Justin. Since then she has enjoyed successes with All Beans for the stable, She rode a double on TAB Finals Day with All Beans then a fortunate pick up ride on Manzala. Maggie’s perseverance and dedication should lead to further success in the saddle, she is a worthy winner of the SAROA Apprentice Award.

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SAROA members with Owner ID and their guests are welcome to the Owners Appreciation Day at Strathalbyn. On presentation of their Owner ID, Owners will receive Free Entry to the racecourse Free entry to the Commercial Hotel Strathalbyn Owners Marquee that will be located between the members building and the betting ring. Free drink on arrival Throughout the day we will have roaming canapés and cheese platters etc.

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