AUTUMN WRAP UP With another Autumn carnival already been and gone, we take a look back at some of the highlights of this exciting couple of months of racing that saw plenty of success for the team. We had winners and placegetters at Black Type level throughout March and April in both Melbourne and Sydney, including some notable victories at Group 1 level. We celebrated successes at the highest level with Hellbent in the $500,000 William Reid Stakes - which in turn cemented his career at stud, and with our warrior Gailo Chop (photographed) who took out his third career Group 1 in the $700,000 Ranvet Stakes Darren s first Group 1 win in New South Wales. Cliff s Edge proved too strong at Group 2 level in the Allister Clarke Stakes at Moonee Valley, and Quilista won three races in a row culminating with victory in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes on the final day of the Championships at Randwick. Our Group 3 wins came courtesy of Master Of Arts taking out the Manion Cup at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day, as well as Quilista adding to her tally. The star of the Autumn, however, would have to be Gailo Chop. What an Autumn he has produced for OTI and his group of lucky owners. After kicking off his campaign in winning fashion in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup back in February, he claimed a further two victories (at Group 2 and Group 1 Level) as well as a three minor placings all at Group 1 level, to earn for his connections just over $1.7 million in prizemoney for his six starts this preparation. It has been an outstanding two months of racing, with a total of 88 horses coming home victors. Here s hoping our success can continue as winter racing kicks off. Congratulations to everyone involved in the success! INSIDE MARCH & APRIL ISSUE 1 Staff Changes 2 Introducing Sarah Worker and Mitch Makepeace 3 Robert Rogalski 23 Years to the City! 4 Congratulations Lee Purchase! 5 Denman x Search The Stars Filly 6 Celebrate 2018 SA Festival of Racing 7 March & April Winners! 8 Life After Racing Jump Off TV Show!
Staff Changes April saw some big staff changes occur in the office of Darren Weir Racing. Unfortunately for us, following seven and a half years as Darren s trusty Racing Manager, Jeremy Rogers has bid a fond farewell and has moved on to his next challenge. Jeremy has been instrumental in helping Darren achieve the success he has over the years. He s been side by side with Darren as the business has grown, and the winners and premierships flowed. Jeremy was much respected by all the staff and owners for his knowledge, professionalism and friendly face at the races and yearling sales, and we wish him all the best. He s left very big shoes to fill, but thankfully for us, Simon McCartin has been working closely with Jeremy for the past 3 years as Assistant Racing Manager, and he will step up to assume the Racing Manager role. As a result of this move, Sam Scally will be the new Assistant Racing Manager. Monique Roche is also moving on from Darren Weir Racing after nearly three years in the role of Racing Services Manager. Monique did a lot of the behind-the-scenes requirements, and she helped ensure the smooth running of the office. Monique and her partner Thomas Carberry, a former trackwork rider at Forest Lodge, have recently obtained their own trainer licence and are looking forward to diving in and training on a full-time basis. We wish them both the very best of luck. We welcome some new faces to the racing team including Sarah Worker and Mitch Makepeace. (Continues on next page)
7 Introducing Sarah Worker and Mitch Makepeace Sarah has recently moved over from New Zealand to join us here in the office at Darren Weir Racing. Her extended family were owners and hobby trainers over the years and her passion for the industry has grown with her more recent involvement. Sarah was part of the Marketing team at New Zealand Bloodstock for two years so has a particular interest in the Kiwi horses we have in the stable, having watched many of them go through the auction ring as yearlings. With New Zealand having such a strong breeding industry but lacking in the racing, Sarah is looking forward to being involved in all aspects of Australian racing here at Darren Weir Racing. We welcome Mitch Makepeace into the role of Racing Services at Darren Weir Racing. Hailing from Swan Hill, Mitch s love for horse racing led to him working with local Swan Hill trainer Austy Coffey for the past 5 years whilst he finished school. With his completed Certificate 4 in Horse Racing under his belt, Mitch has made the move to Ballarat and is looking forward to the new challenges ahead at Darren Weir Racing. Mitch will be helping with the pre- and post-race reports for Darren, as well as general owner updates, so you ll be sure to see him around the office or at the track watching the horses.
Robert Rogalski 23 Years to the city! After 23 years of ownership, multiple horses with Darren and other trainers on Wednesday 28 th of March Robert Rogalski (far right) experienced his first Metropolitan Winner at Sandown with Merrimen and Darren Weir Racing (picture above). I have had a winner on Melbourne Cup Day but it was at Wangaratta Rob laughs. Congratulations to Rob and all the owners in Merrimen with this impressive win, hopefully there is more to come. Congratulations Lee Purchase The 2018 edition of the prestigious Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards were held in Adelaide on Friday night, May 4 th, and a big congratulations must go to long-time Darren Weir Racing employee Lee Purchase on winning the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare award category. This was the fourth year the awards have been held, and Lee has been named as a finalist each year, so it was well deserved that she finally took out the top award which included $10,000 prizemoney and a specially designed trophy. Lee has the important task of re-homing our racehorses once they are retired from racing. Every horse is found a new home whether it be for showing, eventing, trail riding, or just a paddock hack - Lee ensures they are all going to be well looked after for life after racing.
Denman x Search The Stars Filly She s speedily bred being by the son of Lonhro (sire of Pierro) and the G1 Golden Rose winner, Denman. Her well-bred dam, Search The Stars, is a half-sister to the G1 Champagne Stakes placed Fast And Sexy. To date she has had 3 foals to race ALL HAVE WON. Including: Magic Search (3yo) 3x winner & $70k from 8 starts Staraday 2x winner Hit The Mark 5x winner & $110k Darren says She s a compact, well put together filly with plenty of strength. She s been broken in and looks the ideal type to really hit the ground running. A 5% share is $5,613.00. For more information please contact Harry Bailey bloodstock@darrenweirracing.com.au / 0420 997 417 AFS License Number: 321363
MARCH WINNERS Scoliaro Ancient Echoes Peruggia Krone Zartini Your Option Sopressa Mujaadil Black Mosheen Double The Magic Kings Will Dream (2) Divine Sanction Iconoclasm Keyser Soze Gallic Chieftain Amerock Belle Xaar Savaheat Holy Blade Leicester Divine Command (2) Whispering Brook Cliff s Edge Quilista (2) Ancient Echoes Humdior Hawkshot Reilmartini Lipstick Lover Rayaheen Miss Belisa Hale Soriano Allspice Hellbent Think Bleue Gailo Chop Master Of Arts Stellar Collision Souffrant Merrimen Danesai Fifty Stars More Bricks Contact us Phone: (03) 5334 9888 Fax: (03) 5334 6408 Postal Address: PO Box 3, Miners Rest, Vic 3352 Address: 366 Kennedys Road, Miners Rest, Vic 3352 Racing Manager simon@darrenweirracing.com.au APRIL WINNERS Gimme Strength Furrion (2) Hectopascal Maheera Chevaux Double The Magic Lipstick Lover Holy Blade Rising Hope Land Of Plenty Sarkozy (2) So You Leica Golden Script Chequrered Flag (2) Reilmartini Quilista Lucky For All Platinum Angel Duke Of Boneo Sopressa Whispering Brook Thunder Cloud Lasayette Silentz Divine Sanction Miss Belisa Blackjack Lass Iconoclasm Think Bleue Gallic Chieftain Zartini Your Option Amerissa Rebel Rose Grey Shadow Peaceful State Leicester Souffrant Captain Harry Life After Racing- Jump Off TV Show Assistant Racing Manager sam@darrenweirracing.com.au Finance mick@darrenweirracing.com.au Accounts luke@darrenweirracing.com.au Accounts Payable sue@darrenweirracing.com.au Administration/Receivable gabby@darrenweirracing.com.au Owners Services dwinter@darrenweirracing.com.au steph@darrenweirracing.com.au oprah@darrenweirracing.com.au sarahw@darrenweirracing.com.au mitch@darrenweirracing.com.au Racing Victoria, via its Off the Track program, will be a major supporter of Jump Off, which will document the journey of retired thoroughbred racehorses as they are re-educated for second careers in the equestrian industry. The series will feature leading Victorian racehorse trainers David Hayes, Darren Weir and Mick Price, alongside the brother-sister duo of Patrick and Michelle Payne, as well as Godolphin Australia's head trainer James Cummings. Keep an eye on Channel 7 for release date! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and for our latest news and updates