‘We went for it, and we’ve never looked back’
Fortunes in racing can change in an instant. And not least in the rollercoaster journey of racehorse ownership, a ride on which you’re only ever one horse away from the glitz and glamour of the big time.
But, for two owners in Darby Racing’s Golden Eagle (1500m) contender Overpass (Vancouver), without some perseverance and a little help from a friend, they may never have been in the running for a share in tomorrow’s $10 million prize fund.
“We’d purchased two horses before, both of which turned out to be no good on the racetrack. They didn’t even race,” Lee Caff, one half of the partnership Jimlee Racing and a third of Steelies Racing, told A Share In Success. “We paid out for about 12 months and got nothing. I didn’t want to know about [racehorse ownership] afterwards.”
For Paramatta-based Lee and her partner, Jim, it was a taint on what ultimately began as a passionate hobby, heading out to the races at Rosehill and being amongst the excitement of raceday.
Then came a colt by Pierro (Lonhro).
“A friend of ours said that Greg Hickman has a horse we should look at. I was reluctant, after our first two attempts, but we went for it and we’ve never looked back,” Caff said.
And why would you? That Pierro colt was Pierata. The winner of the All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and $1 million Redzel Stakes (1300m) who, after nearly $6 million in prize-money, has found a lucrative stud career at Aquis Farm.
Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) came next. Add another nearly $3 million to that haul, after three victories at the lavish Magic Millions raceday. Oh, and shares in eight more horses with Hickman.
On a roll, Jimlee Racing were introduced to Scott Darby and his Darby Racing operation. Before Overpass, there was Listed winner Malkovich (Choisir), but it’s the Bjorn Baker-trained son of Vancouver (Medaglia D’Oro) that will provide two unforgettable days in the two richest races Australia has to offer. .
From winning his maiden at Orange in April last year, $75,000 yearling buy Overpass has defeated Anamoe (Street Boss) in the Expressway (Gr 2, 1200m) and taken his owners to some of the biggest days on the racing calendar, including the $15 million The Everest (1200m) last time out.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” Caff, who along with Jim is a manager at a steel company, said. “We got onto Darby with Malkovich and it’s just snowballed. It’s been a really great hobby for us. We don’t do much else except work, and then we’ve got our horses.
“It’s nervous energy for the whole week [heading into the racday]. You get the barrier draw and more nerves seep in, and then on the day you can’t wait for them to just jump out the barrier. If they come last, who cares. It’s just very exciting. Overpass has surpassed anything we thought he would do.”
With victory in the Golden Eagle, Overpass could add another $5.25 million to his $1.5 million already in the bank, but what of his chances tomorrow?
“We’re going to win, of course. I’ve got all the confidence in the world with him. He’ll try his heart out, put it that way,” Caff said.