FEBRUARY 2020 NEWSLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Welcome back to another year of membership, providing advocacy, information, member benefits and social events. What an exciting time in racing we are heading into. The Sydney Autumn Carnival kicks off on 14 March and is an explosion of top class racing, attracting horses from all over Australia and beyond to partake in the huge prizemoney. The NSWROA has new initiatives planned for this year to not only grow our membership, and therefore our voice in the industry, but also to enhance the membership experience. A day at the Scone Races, followed by a visit to Vinery Stud was held for members late January. This was a very enjoyable day for our guests and a change of pace from our usual city-based events. We also presented a trophy for their 2yo race of the day. We are holding our popular ‘Apollo Stakes Day’ event on 15 February and arrangements for our flagship event, Racing’s Night of Champions (13 August) have already begun. Unfortunately, our very worthy charity Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is not in a position to fulfil their role as our fundraising body this year, but we hope to have them back in years to come. Another worthy beneficiary will be announced shortly. Tabcorp is a world-class diversified gambling entertainment group and top 50 ASX company with more than 5,000 employees. In December 2017 Tabcorp combined with Tatts Group. Tabcorp now operates the iconic brands TAB, Sky Racing, Sky Sports Radio, Tatts, NSW Lotteries, Golden Casket, SA Lotteries and Keno – familiar names which ignite excitement in millions of Australians. Tabcorp also delivers leading gaming services and products through Tabcorp Gaming Solutions, MAX and Ebet. Tabcorp’s operations deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in returns to the community each year and is the biggest financial contributor to Australian racing. Last year Tabcorp returned over $900 million to Australian racing and proudly backs the industry and its people. UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS Chinese Festival of Racing Cocktail Function Join us at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 15 February 2020 for a day of fantastic racing, great food and beverages and a fun atmosphere. With the running of the Gr 2 Apollo Stakes. Gr 2 Light Fingers Stakes, Gr 3 Southern Cross Stakes and Gr 3 Triscay Stakes, the Chinese Festival of Racing always delivers a fabulous day of competition and entertainment. The NSW Racehorse Owners Association is again holding a cocktail-style function in Section A of the Ballroom in the Queen Elizabeth II Stand, with sweeping views of the track and all the action. The ticket price includes an impressive all-day canape menu and quality beverages. $185 per person VALE BOB WHYBURN Racing NSW has been advised Bob Whyburn, former Executive Officer of the NSW Jockeys Association, Australian Jockeys Association Director and Trustee of the National Jockeys Trust passed away on Tuesday 14 January. Mr Whyburn grew up in Maitland and moved to Sydney in 1969. He made a great contribution to the many areas he was involved in, not only racing, whether it be in law or representing some key unions such as the nurses over many, many years. He was an ardent lover of racing and it was his involvement over a long period of time that led to better conditions and respect for jockeys in many areas both in New South Wales, where he was based, and nationally. Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V'landys AM said Mr Whyburn's contribution to racing can't be understated. "Bob Whyburn was a true gentleman and a pleasure to deal with, he possessed a great wit and understanding of the machinations of the industry,'' Mr V'Landys said. "A passionate supporter, he was a respected professional who always had the jockeys best interests in mind when representing them. "He will be sorely missed.'' Tony Crisafi, CEO of the NSW Jockeys Association, said Mr Whyburn was an integral part of the State and National Jockeys Association’s for over 20 years. “Bob worked tirelessly for the betterment of jockeys and was instrumental is securing improved conditions for jockeys, particularly in NSW,” Mr Crisafi said. “When Bob ended his legal career, he transferred his skills to become the Manager of the National Jockeys Trust, helping jockeys who were in financial hardship caused by a serious injury on a racetrack. “Our condolences go to Bob’s partner Tessa, his children and grandchildren.” Media Release Racing NSW HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Just How Old is Memorabilia? By Graham Caves (NSWROA member and volunteer at the ATC Heritage Centre) Pause for a moment and give it thought. Memorabilia need not be old! It is surprising how soon an item can become memorabilia. Back in just 2013 a racehorse named Black Caviar made her final appearance on a racecourse and she did that at Randwick in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes. She was the idol of racegoers at the time because she was unbeaten and lining up for her 25th race start. Yes, unbeaten in 24 starts to date and of those 14 were Group 1 races. The scene was one of expectation but with quite a few “butterflies in the tummy” among the crowd. The ATC was smartly on the job and produced some huge satin flags to fly on masts at various locations on the course. They were made in the racing colours of Black Caviar – Salmon and Black Spots, Salmon and Black Spots Cap. Photographs of two of these flags are shown here. In a masterstroke, the ATC took one of those oversized flags and had a group of employees carry it around the course and invite racegoers to sign it and offer good wishes using a black permanent marker. That flag, adorned with hundreds of comments, signatures and those good wishes is now a treasured item in the ATC Heritage Collection and is pictured here. Black Caviar in recognition of the faith and hopes of the crowd, strode to an easy victory. EARLY BIRD COMPETITION RESULTS The prize winners of the NSWROA Membership Early Bird Competition are: 1st Prize (2 tickets to Racing’s Night of Champions) MEGAN WALLER 2nd Prize (2 tickets to Chinese Festival of Racing Cocktail Party) BERNARD McMAHON 3rd Prize (Free 2021 NSWROA Membership) PAUL GALVIN BOBS REPORT Sizzling Debut Win by Slipper Prospect Words: Mark Brassel Picture: Steve Hart Philizzy (Christian Reith; yellow, red cap) drives at Osamu (James McDonald) to score a narrow win at Randwick The future looks bright for Snitzel filly Philizzy after she landed a $22,5000 BOBS bonus on Royal Randwick’s Kensington Track at her debut on 4 January. Trained by Anthony Cummings, Philizzy (Christian Reith, $6) launched a withering burst to run down the better fancied Osamu (James McDonald, $4.80) to score by a short head. “She still has plenty to learn; she doesn’t quite know what to do but there’s a lot of talent and she’ll give us some fun for a couple of years to come,” said Cummings. Cummings bypassed the Magic Millions in mid-January and is now looking to the $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on 21 March. The filly was a $340,000 purchase from the Magic Millions sale. Two races later Discharged (James McDonald, $3.90 favourite) scored a thrilling win and also snared a $22,500 BOBS bonus for connections. Discharged – also by top stallion Snitzel – was headed by Geo (Nash Rawiller, $5.50) but rallied hard to win by the barest of margins. BOBS BONUS LEADER BOARD HORSE STALLION BOBS BONUS WINS Aquitaine Exceed And Excel $45,000 3 Standout Exceed And Excel $39,375 3 Aim Star Witness $33,750 2 Discharged Snitzel $33,750 2 Just Thinkin' So You Think (NZ) $33,750 2 Yao Dash Smart Missile $33,750 2 Akari Snitzel $28,125 2 Edison Fastnet Rock $28,125 2 Fituese Deep Field $28,125 3 Bigboyroy Dissident $22,500 2 Blazing Miss Sizzling $22,500 2 Captain Stardust Star Witness $22,500 2 Dawn Passage Dawn Approach (Ire) $22,500 1 Destination Exceed And Excel $22,500 1 Diamond Thunder Dawn Approach (Ire) $22,500 1 Guise So You Think (NZ) $22,500 1 Heart Of The Oak Sebring $22,500 3 MEMBER BENEFITS We are very pleased to introduce the support of the following businesses for financial members: TowncarsNOW provides a luxury on-demand chauffeured service for all corporate and private customers, available in Sydney and Melbourne. NSW Racehorse Owners members get $15 off the first TowncarsNOW trip or 15% off all trips until 30 June 2020, after which time the offer may be extended. Members only need to download the app, navigate to OFFERS on the side menu and add the promo code 15NSWROA. Once this is done they can apply the discount before every TowncarsNOW trip. When Only The Best Will Do Satin and Silks is a Sydney based company owned by Annette and Jack Vize. They have been making quality colours & blinkers for owners since 1979. All garments are hand made by Annette, using strong and vibrant fabrics. To obtain a 10% discount from your order, send them a photo of your current membership card. Website: www.satinandsilks.com.au For personal attention please call Annette on 02 99975380. Bradley Photographers provide high quality photographic services to the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry. They are the only photographers to cover all Metropolitan and Provincial race meetings and have a comprehensive archive of NSW Racing. Bradley’s offer a 10% discount to NSWROA Members on the listed price of their products.