07/11/2024
When Knight's Choice surprised practically everybody by winning The Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, it wasn’t just a victory for the connections, but a victory for every small racehorse owner in Australia.
Apart from it being one of the most heartwarming and inspiring tales in recent memory, the remarkable win serves as a powerful reminder that you don’t have to spend millions of dollars importing European stayers to win Australia’s greatest race. The bolters’ win gives hope to us all that success can be found in any corner of the racing industry.
Knight's Choice didn’t come from a prestigious European bloodline with a seven-figure price tag attached. Instead, he was a somewhat modest $85,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase. As a small horse (he stands just 15.1hh) he has 5 dams on the page and there’s not 1 Stakes Winner to be found there. Consequently, he was a Book 2 yearling, which means that he didn’t even make the main (Book 1) sale! Despite his modest pedigree and beginnings though, he was bred and trained locally and cared for by a team who believed in his ability. This underdog story is proof that with the right horse and the right spirit, every owner, every syndicate member, and every trainer can still dream of Melbourne Cup glory.
Knight’s Choice’s path to victory mirrors the hopes and dreams of the many small share owners that make up the entirety of our client base with both Belhus Racing Stables and Grand Syndicates. People just like you who pour their hearts into their horses, supporting and believing in them every step of the way. It’s a victory that shows that no matter the odds, success is possible. And while not every horse will stand in the winner’s circle at Flemington, being part of a journey that could lead there is something truly special. Because owning a share in a racehorse isn’t just about the result. It’s about the journey. It’s about the hope, it’s about the anticipation, it’s about making new friends from the likeminded people that you meet along the way, it’s about riding the ups and downs, it’s about making and enjoying fabulous memories, and it’s about respecting and loving your horse.
Racing is a sport of dreams, and as Knight's Choice demonstrated on Tuesday, those dreams are not just for the wealthy elite. They belong to all of us. Where else can you compete as an owner and attain such glory? You can’t own a Formula 1 team. You can’t own an America’s Cup yacht, and almost certainly you can’t own Manchester United or Chelsea. But you can own a very good racehorse.
To every owner who has believed in their horse and stayed the course, to every syndicate member who supports the dream of racing glory, we thank you. Knight’s Choice is your story too, so, as we look forward to future races, let’s hold on to this inspiration. Each race is an opportunity, each horse a potential champion, and each of you are a crucial part of the great journey that is horse racing. At Belhus Racing Stables and Grand Syndicates, we know that a love for the sport, commitment, and the courage to dream are the essential ingredients that make every race meaningful.
Here’s to your next big win—and may we all keep believing in the possibilities each new race brings.
See you in the Winners Circle!
Peter Morley
www.belhusracing.com.au
www.grandsyndicates.com.au
