HOME RUN

Words / Glen Latham

When Luke Currie struck for home on Away Game in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, she just looked like another above-average filly to follow. But to those around her and the legion of fans she would attract, she would become so much more over the next few COVID riddled seasons.

Agood horse carries more than the jockey along for the ride. While the owners and the trainer publicly celebrate each victory, behind the scenes, quietly although sometimes not, the horse’s deeds are toasted by an array for people that they have touched. This is particularly the case on those rare occasions when along comes a horse whose sheer doggedness to deliver every time the gates crashed back earned the respect and devotion of fans around Australia, and sometimes the globe. Away Game was one such filly who, through her journey from foaling to the Gold Coast January Sale ring and back to the same venue as a National Sale broodmare three years later, touched a host of people and never once disappointed any of them. Foaled in late August 2017 at Mill Park Stud, not far from the Coorong on the southeast coast of South Australia, she was sold out of the Gold Coast ring for $425,000, returned to the adjacent track twelve months later to claim the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, then spent the next two and a half seasons garnering a legion of fans, some of whom were being exposed to our sport for the first time thanks to lockdowns, but all in awe of her sheer stubborn refusal to throw in the towel.

From the time she was loaded up at Mill Park Stud until she finished her two-year-old campaign just up the road at Morphettville, Away Game would face the starter eight times, significantly more than most top grade two-year-olds. But unlike other juveniles Away Game did that in four different states which, in very rough terms, equated to 10,450 kilometres in the back of a float, and that doesn’t include incidental travel like the breakers, trips to the beach etc. Although truncated, her three-year-old career wasn’t a great deal different.

Despite the exertions of travel she unhesitatingly went to battle every time and left nothing in the tank. After a debut fourth in the Merson Cooper at Caulfield, wins in the Listed Calaway Gal at Doomben and then the Classic followed before the travel really kicked in. Just a few weeks after her Gold Coast triumph she took the Gr.3 Widden Stakes at Randwick, then looked a candidate for running last turning for home in the leader biased Blue Diamond Stakes only to show us what she was really made of when finishing a close up fourth. Sent back to Sydney she beat all but Farnan in the Golden Slipper, easily won the Gr.2 Percy Sykes Stakes then finished off with a fifth at weight-for-age in the Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes back over at Morphettville. At three she was third in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and won the Gr.3 Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm. Then as a four-year-old, how good would her CV have looked had her stablemates, Marabi who was low-flying at the time and Snapdancer, not been around. They denied her a deserved Gr.1 in the Oakleigh Plate and the Sangster, respectively.

Many a television in hotels and homes across the country reverberated from the shouts directed at them as her loyal supporters willed Away Game to get there one more time. Such shouts were superfluous, she was giving her all, as always. But while fans and punters alike were never left with a reason to grumble, a small group, the inner circle of ‘Club Away Game’, had just that little more of a reason to marvel at her. We’ll start with her place of birth.

THE BREEDER HOME RUN

Chris Watson, Mill Park Stud

Commercial breeding operations live or die by the ability of the stock they sell. It is difficult to think of a more fickle industry than Thoroughbreds where the saying “nothing sells like success” could be applied. When the Watson family of Mill Park Stud sold a Snitzel filly out of Elusive Wonder for $425,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale they would have been delighted, but more so with her every subsequent start as Away Game continually advertised the quality of horse they could rear on the farm, situated close enough to the Coorong that the salt air drifts over the paddocks. Chris Watson explained how Away Game never disappointed, even from birth. “We were really fortunate that Elusive Wonder was a mare that threw beautiful types all the time. We put her to Snitzel and loved the foal from the first day she arrived. She wasn’t overly big, just had great length and quality to her with plenty of precociousness and she pretty much stayed that way from a foal right through to the sale.”

And then when the truck pulled up on the Gold Coast, again everything went to plan. Chris told us “Obviously most people at the sale had the same understanding of her as we did. She was a lovely, relaxed filly that was very easy to do anything with. The whole family has always had a great nature and we know that temperament and the ability to relax plays a major part in success on the track. As a quality filly we went up there expecting that she would sell well, but obviously she sold better than we anticipated with a late flurry of bids pushing her price up.”

As the Magic Millions raceday was run in 2020 nobody could have imagined that our industry was about to be battered by the pandemic. Someone like Chris wasn’t to know this would be a rare opportunity to watch the filly race. “I was there the day she won the 2YO Classic and even if you no longer own the horse that competes at the highest level, just the connection of having bred that horse is a big thrill. To see her win so emphatically was such a special moment, it really was. And when you look at how many States she competed in, she certainly travelled more than any normal filly. After a campaign like that it is rare to see them go on as a three-year-old and beyond and compete at the highest level, so for her to turn up for the next three seasons was amazing to see. Sadly, she was a Gr.1 filly that just couldn’t quite nab one. She was a credit to the training team but also to herself - such a hardy filly; it was great to see.”

THE AGENT HOME RUN

Kerri Radcliffe

Respected agent Kerri Radcliffe went to the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale with an order for an American client looking to start racing in Australia. Selective, Radcliffe had a very short list and Lot 547, a sister to the Listed winner Modern Wonder from an old Robert Sangster family that had had success firstly in Australasia then later in Europe, was a prime target.

Kerri explained how she took to the Snitzel filly immediately. “It was only my second time on the Gold Coast and just the second horse I bought in Australia. She was number one on the list and from the minute I saw her I absolutely loved her. I was told that the farm were fantastic breeders which is important to me, and while we bought another filly at the sale by More Than Ready, the Snitzel was the one we wanted.”

It transpired that the filly wouldn’t race for Kerri’s client after all. “As she went through I was on the phone to George Bolton who I’d bought (the unbeaten Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner) Nadal for, and was bidding under his instructions. Hannah Mathieson’s father Mark was a partowner in Nadal. A few weeks later George had a change of mind about having horses in Australia which was good luck for Hannah who did a fantastic job putting together the ladies syndicate so quickly. While it was unfortunate for George, it worked out brilliantly for Hannah and the syndicate who were able to scoop the ladies bonus.”

Did Kerri see something that gave even the subtlest of indications that Away Game might be tougher than your average horse? “I thought she was an early two-year-old, that’s what we were looking for, but Ciaron Maher and David Eustace did such a fantastic job in training her for eight starts in four States at two.”

Like almost everyone else, watching Away Game live meant accessing vision rather than being up close and personal on race day for Kerri. “It’s been an amazing ride but because of COVID I never got to see her race in the flesh. I was at Magic’s the year she won the Classic, but I had to leave early to get to California to see Nadal who was racing at the same time. So I left, then watched Nadal, then went to the Keeneland January Sale from where I watched her win from a hotel room at about 4.30 in the morning. I think I woke up the whole hotel! To be honest I was just surprised because I didn’t think she could win. I had her running in Australia and two top colts in America in Nadal and Volatile and because of COVID I got to see Nadal once and the other two not at all! 2020 was a write off but we got to watch them all on TV and there were lots of celebrations and parties!

THE SYNDICATOR/PART-OWNER HOME RUN

The week Away Game went through the ring Hannah Mathieson, now Jennings, was working for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, a connection she retains today from her home as the stable’s representative in the United States.

As with so many who inspected the filly, Away Game made an instant impression on Hannah when led out of her box. “Away Game was a gorgeous yearling, she was extremely strong and was very forward in her action. I looked at her 3 times, and every time she was professional and focused which I liked. I was trying to buy a filly with some residual as a broodmare, so it helped that she was by Snitzel and had a good pedigree as well.”

There is a well-used promotional photo of a delighted Hannah and members of the ownership group leading Away Game back to the enclosure after the Classic, a win that came as a bit of a surprise. “That was the first time I saw her race as I had worked for Ciaron and Dave that year, but came back to the states in September before she had debuted. We really didn’t have high expectations going into the 2YO Classic since she was such a long shot, so we were just happy to be able to watch her race in person and have some friends and family join us. Ciaron had told us she was training very well, but he had another good 2YO in the race and there was plenty of outside competition, so it was such a thrill, and so unexpected when she won. Magic’s gave us a $3,000 voucher for the bar at the casino after, so you could imagine we had a bit of fun at the after party!”

One of the great success stories of that year was how Hannah put together the syndicate of lady owners then they scooped the bonus when Away Game won. “I loved the idea of a ladies syndicate when I first heard about it, it is so forward thinking and a great way to get people more involved in the industry. I think what makes the bonus so attractive is that you don’t even have to win the race, you just have to beat the other ladies horses so you feel like you have a real shot of taking the bonus home. A lot of the women involved in Away Game are still racing horses with me in the US and Australia, and are far more interested in following racing and getting involved at a deeper level now.”

Most two-year-olds don’t have the constitution to carry on past three or four runs but Away Game was in work pretty much from September through to the following May. “To do what Away Game was able to do was so impressive, I’ve never had another horse with her constitution and toughness,” Hannah told us. “They gave her the nickname “the iron filly” and I think that suited her perfectly. She genuinely loved to train and compete. They would try to turn her out for a week after she raced, and usually had to bring her back into work early because she was running around the paddocks too much, so that shows she was a horse that loved her job.”

Watching your horse race during the pandemic had its restrictions for local owners, but it became a logistical nightmare for those based overseas. “Unfortunately, I didn’t clock up as many air miles as I wanted. I had plans to come down for the Slipper and a couple of her other races, but COVID got in the way of that. I’m very grateful we were able to be there for the 2YO Classic and Blue Diamond though, those were some great memories.” So what was the trade off to watch her run? “Lots of late nights! She usually ran between midnight and 3 am which wasn’t ideal, but Group 1 runners are few and far between, so I was happy to get up at any time to watch her.”

Cashing in on a horse that has given its all for you can wrench the emotions, but the commercial realities were Away Game was a syndicated horse and the market was prowling around her. Before she went through the ring at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale of June 2022 all manner of numbers were bandied around which could only have made the experience all the more nerve-racking. “It was very bittersweet to watch her sell, she was such an incredible filly to be a part of so it was sad to see that journey come to an end, but I was so happy she ended up at a great home where she’ll have a huge chance of making it as a successful broodmare. $4 million was beyond what we could’ve imagined her making, so I was so thrilled and grateful for that. I can’t wait to see her babies run in the future and hopefully carry on her legacy.”

THE TRACK RIDER/STRAPPER HOME RUN

Christine Duffy & Hannah Jennings

With the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace yard being a multi-State operation, Away Game had several ground staff taking care of her throughout her career. However, it was the stable’s Travelling Foreperson Christine Duffy, who was based in Sydney, who formed a bond with the filly when she took her to the Gold Coast for that fateful first trip.

Christine first sat upon the, at that stage, once raced Away Game her first morning in Sydney when she walked the filly from the stables to the polo fields training area on the northern side of the track. “My first impressions were she was a really nice filly with plenty of sass and attitude about her, but a really nice type.”

There followed a ten week trip to the Gold Coast with blacktype and the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes the first target. “She had been a little bit on and off shin-sore going into the Calaway Gal, but after her win she came out of the race even bigger and stronger and I said to Ciaron ‘there’s no need to stop with her.’ She flourished, had that bit of confidence in her and from there she was just away.”

By the time the pair got to the Gold Coast Christine was enamoured with Away Game, however, professionalism took over and she didn’t get to strap her on the big day. “Rathlin, the colt that we had in the race, was being naughty so I strapped him while Holly Penfold, who lived locally, strapped Away Game. However, after the race Holly kindly said I’d worked so hard to get her there she offered me her bib so I could walk her back in.” And once the horses were rugged for the night the obligatory celebrations started. “The party went on until about 3am and then the girls and I had about two hours sleep before we had to be back up again. It was a very “dusty” morning when we took the horses down to the beach.”

The challenge for a trainer is to get their charge to peak again for the Golden Slipper after the exertions of winning the Classic, but as Christine explains, it seems Away Game was telling the stable she was up for the test. “Ciaron is big on giving his two-year-olds a couple of days in the paddock after a race but after a few days he said the run hadn’t hurt her and she was flying around the paddock. So she came back into work in Sydney and won the Widden Stakes before she headed to Melbourne for the Blue Diamond where I strapped her as well. Normally we would leave the Melbourne team to look after her but I think Ciaron recognised we had a special connection so I was able to fly down and strap her. Then in the Golden Slipper she put in another huge run when second to Farnan before running in the Percy Sykes where she saw a Heavy track for the first time and put them away without any real concerns.”

To go so close in the Slipper must have been disappointing for those concerned, but not Christine. “She was never a horse that disappointed you because she always tried so hard. There’s an old quote that a loyal mare will always have your back and fight to the end of the earth for you, and that was her to a tee. It wouldn’t matter where you took her or what you did she just put everything in. We were in Queensland just with her and Rathlin for ten weeks, and the ten or so times they galloped together she would never, ever let him get his head in front! Even if we planned it to let him win a gallop – no, no, it wasn’t happening on her watch!” But there was a softer side to her, “She was super-affectionate, really sweet but as she got a bit older she got sassier. She was always a quiet mare that anyone could do anything with. She was just so on the ball about doing the job of being a racehorse. ”

Anna, Away Game’s stable name, had to be passed back to the Melbourne stable when the pandemic took hold. “There was a period at the height of COVID where Away Game was racing in Melbourne and I couldn’t travel to be with her, but we are pretty lucky at Ciaron’s with such a good team the girls would constantly be sending photos and videos of her or we could see her live via WhatsApp.”

And having been there from almost the very start it was Christine who led Away Game around at the National Broodmare Sale. “I took her through the ring and while we were up there I just kept thinking that if her offspring have half as much heart as you, then they will be alright.” And of the $4 million, Christine says “She’s worth every cent!”

THE BROODMARE OWNER HOME RUN

Away Game sold for $4m at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

In a stellar National Broodmare catalogue Away Game always promised to shine brightest, bidding finally stopping at $4 million. The official record shows the buyer as the Written Tycoon Syndicate, but this was just a message to the market that Mr Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong had bought her, and who would be her mate for the 2022 season. Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray told us “Of course, being an exceptional racemare Mr Zhang always followed her career closely and had admiration for her, just how tough and tenacious she was. So when she came up for auction Mr Zhang had a passion for her that way, but importantly we had identified her as perfectly matched for Written Tycoon both physically and on pedigree.”

From Ciaron Maher to Yulong Stud

So was it just a given that she would be a Yulong mare? “When you are spending that amount of money you have to do your homework and make sure every box is ticked. She’s not big, but that is the Snitzel about her, she’s a lovely shape, a very attractive looking horse and one that a lot of people would have loved to have in their broodmare band. We were lucky to be the successful bidder on her. Since we’ve gotten her back to the farm she’s shown she has such a beautiful temperament which was the same when we were inspecting her, so very laid back. She was still in full work at the time but every day she would come across to the sale complex and every time she came out of her box she wouldn’t turn a hair, such was her good temperament and great attitude. Temperament on those big race days is such a major thing and it was easy to see that she had what was required to handle those occasions, she is such a sweet mare.”

So the first chapter of the Away Game story is over. Chapter Two has started with a cover by Written Tycoon and if she puts half as much into being a mum as she did when a racehorse, her progeny will carry a most uncommon advantage over their rivals when they line up. It would be nice to think this story will need an addenda in a few years, regaling the deeds of the progeny of Away Game, the Champion Broodmare.