www.m agi cm i l l i ons.com.au • 2019 PERTH YEARLING SALE
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Q&A WITH
Own The Dream Ambassador Galloping for gold BRITTANY TAYLOR How to Fly.
Brad Sheppard with his winning syndicate.
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ince he was a little boy, Brad Sheppard has always been amazed by horses, with his family involved with horse ownership for a number of years.
Most commonly known for his exploits and achievements as a defender for the newly crowned When the opportunity came along for Mr AFL champions, the West Coast WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE Sheppard to followTO in his family’s footsteps THE TEAMS IN OWN THE DREAMBrad Sheppard has another Eagles, and become an owner through a syndication 2019? group about four years ago, he jumped at the string to his bow he is extremely opportunity. Take the opportunity with bothproud hands and of, writes Chris Thurmott.
make most ofhe it.said. It’s not very often “I’ve always wanted to bethe involved,” “I used to go downyou to the track as a young get the chance to get up close with from having two years’ worth of training paid kid and collect thesome form guides at the end of trainers of racings greatest and for. every race and pretend I was studying the breeders to pick their brains! Gather a form because I just loved reading about the “This competition is a great chance for the friends and use races and specificgroup horses,ofso I’ve always hadita as an excuse general public to gain a better understanding strong passion forto it.get together in the New Year. Immerse of the racing industry, especially here in WA, yourself amongst the like-minded people and have some fun at the same time,” he said. “Horses are such majestic creatures; the way also taking part in the series. they present themselves, train and prepare for “To be able to attend the training sessions, competition is so interesting.” WHAT WAS A HIGHLIGHT FROM LAST visit the stud farms and really get to see what goes on behind the scenes is fantastic, and YEAR’S SERIES? Mr Sheppard’s passion has seen him become to do it with your mates really adds that extra part owner of two horses, Merrijig and How little Own the Dreamsomething family and special.” to Fly, and he saidBuilding the mostaexciting aspect the comradery between the group was about being an owner was the opportunity to ALL THE BENEFITS, NO NEGATIVES do so with a close the group of friends. greatest part. The level of genuine Keeping a clear head and acknowledging a enthusiasm and interest from everyone “Being an owner is a great excuse to get out to horse won’t win every time is the mentality Mr came on thefun,” tours was Sheppard takes with him to each race and is the track with yourwho mates andalong have some why he feels he hasn’t faced many challenges fantastic. One example is of a gentleman he said. during his time as an owner. who loved a yearling nicknamed “Whether you own one per cent or 50-100 per ‘Crumpet’ when wewhen went on the In ‘Newbies’ fact, the biggest challenge he said he had cent, you still get that adrenaline rush studand tour heable followed the horse faced also turned into his biggest success your horse is running, to–be to share story.ofShortly that with your bestthroughout mates is something I lovetook note the sale and the after taking a stake in his second horse How to Fly, it was discovered she doing.” trainer she went to, the purchase price had an injury that potentially jeopardised the etc. Crumpet became the Trevor Andrews This is one of the reasons Mr Sheppard has mare’s chances of ever racing. Miss West Coast who placed 2nd been chosen as antrained ambassador for a new “She came from a really good blood line, but competition called Own the Dream, which we were unsure if she would ever get out on gives one lucky team the opportunity to win a the track” Mr Sheppard said. 20 per cent share in a race horse and benefit
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“In the end the trainer worked really well with her and gradually built her up. “She came back as a three-year-old and started to show really good promise and won a couple of Saturday races before coming second in the Magic Millions three-year-old race. “Coming off the back of thinking she would never be able to race, to still be racing and showing excellent promise is something I will always be proud of.” Another proud moment for Mr Sheppard was first horse Merrijig’s maiden victory under his ownership. “That moment when she crossed the line was unbelievable, it really lit the fire inside me to get more involved with the racing industry,” he said. “The thrill I got was incredible and the satisfaction to be able to share that will my mates is something I will look back on with great joy.” Although he would love to be at every race meet and attend the training sessions, due to
