A SALE DAY IN THE LIFE TAMING TEAM MAHER

WRITTEN BY GAB NUTT

Two when I was living in England, one was due to EI and the other one was in 1994.

When I was younger, January on the GC was more of a holiday. The Nutt, Mitchell, Freedman and Orton children would spend hours in the Marriott’s whirlpools and lagoon. Back then, everyone would stay in Surfers however Broadbeach has really upped their game, thankfully.

I have such fond memories of the GC and as the years went by, my days were spent less in ‘holiday-mode’ and more in ‘work-mode’ at the complex helping Dad with his draft. Fair to say, the horseracing bug was caught early.

Just under 18 months ago, I was given the opportunity to be the Client Relations and Sales Manager for Ciaron Maher Racing but as most people know with our organisation, we wear a lot of hats. One day I am running social media and selling down shares in horses and the next I am on horseback at the beach. Variety is the spice of life, correct?

Fortunately, this job brings our team to the Gold Coast every year and it is no secret, we make the most of every little bit of it.

Most mornings start with a short walk down to the beach for a quick dip to refresh oneself after trackwork (wash off the night before). There you will often be greeted by more than one familiar face also trying to avoid being seen and/or swept away by the Broadbeach undercurrent! Our team is quite identifiable; the eyebrows, the long fringe, the hair (those once identifiable locks have disappeared for now – don’t ask why!), so perhaps this year the morning swims may be a little more inconspicuous.

After we’ve picked up a coffee from No Name Lane, and Ciaron his peppermint tea, we cram into a hire car and head to the complex for eight or so hours of inspections in the hot Gold Coast sun.

In my catalogue/head I’ve mapped out our day of inspections, and like many, sustenance is the key to these days, so the day is often scheduled around when Will can eat his 10 packets of chips and guzzle a Powerade, plus Arrowfield’s tent – nearly a daily pit stop - as CMR will never say no to hydration or snacks.

Some days, getting everyone back up and going is like watching the first two-year-old races of the season, it’s a test of both patience and persuasion from all parties, and every so often a set of blinkers is required, but as we all know, sometimes they don’t always work the way you planned – especially in the earlier inspection days!

Usually, we have a racing team conveniently stabled next door to the complex so at around 2pm we take our horses for a swim, pick and walk which breaks the day nicely. After that is done, we head back across to try and squeeze in another hour of inspections. Surprisingly, we don’t hang around at the bar for too long once inspections are done but rather, we head back to one of our apartments for a few hours, crack open some beers and go through the catalogue and shortlist. We do this every evening after inspections and on sale days. I won’t divulge too much of what goes on in those meetings, some things need to remain a secret!

Like most, we try and complete as much homework before the sale as we can and sharpen our notes on pedigrees, stallions and on-farm inspection comments. We know these vendors and their staff have put so much time and effort into these yearlings so we want to be prepared as best we can. We will inspect every horse again, some more than others, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we are on them. When Ciaron likes a yearling, he doesn’t need to look at it 10 times to convince himself and we don’t vet a huge amount. Flashing back to last October when Ciaron and I saw Coolangatta in the paddock he immediately loved her. I think we only looked at her once at the complex, same goes with the Merchant Navy two-yearold we like called Calico Jack so as they say, when you know, you know.

The evenings are often filled with dinners between clients and friends, then as we all know, who knows where the night can take you after that. You will find like-minded industry participants at the following watering holes; Moo Moos, The Loose Moose, Broadbeach Tavern and for the brave, Cavill Ave. Last January there was a spontaneous takeover at the Pink Flamingo with a big crew on the Saturday night after the races and it was something else.

Year after year the sale continues to produce top-class racehorses. Ciaron and David have enjoyed a great association with graduates from the sale and every year they go back searching for the next Away Game or Dubious. Both have their unique eye and know what they want in a racehorse, so together with Will’s experience (and my organisational skills) hopefully we find many diamonds in this year’s catalogue.

The Gold Coast in January is magic. I think that’s also part of the Je Ne Sais Quoi that makes Magic Millions what it is today. The location, the sun, the restaurants/ bars, the bloodstock and the general enthusiasm within the industry to kickstart another year. It is unmissable and unbeatable.

MOST OF ALL, IT IS A SALE CONTAINING SPEED BUT YOU CAN’T FORGET YOUR STAMINA.