Dec_112_ROA_Forum REVISED_Owner 20/11/2013 17:37 Page 86
ROA FORUM www.racehorseowners.net
ROA MEMBER IN FOCUS:
MICHELLE FERNANDES
In Brief Members car park label Members will not need to make a formal application for the 2014 ROA/RCA car parking label as the RCA has kindly agreed to allow the labels to be sent out to all members automatically in early December. The car park label will be embedded into a letter and will be posted to members with a clear adhesive label.
Racecourse Badge Scheme
Michelle Fernandes sports her ROA jacket, with, from left, Efisio Princess, assistant trainer Stef Cassidy, jockey Richard Thomas, Entrapping and trainer John Long
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wner Michelle Fernandes has an interesting, unusual first memory of her current trainer’s yard. “My first experience was getting out of my car and being chased by a big pig which had free run of the place!” she conveys. The pig has gone but the yard, that of Caterham trainer John Long, remains, as does the enthusiasm of owner Fernandes, who in October this year experienced her biggest thrill when Entrapping carried her colours to victory at Yarmouth. Of her background in the sport and links with Yarmouth, Fernandes says: “I’ve had ponies since I was a child and my last riding horse was an ex-racehorse, but I wasn’t into racing until a friend, Lisa, bred a racehorse called Harquebusier in the late 90s. “Lisa’s husband wasn’t too interested in racing so the pair of us would travel all over the country to watch her run. By the time the horse was retired in 1999 I was hooked! Yarmouth racecourse was my second home.” As with many, racing clubs was the route into ownership for Fernandes, who owns a ladies boutique in Wymondham, Norfolk called Ward-Robes – “comes in very handy for all those racing outfits required.” Her first horses were Children’s Choice and Blowing Away in the late 90s, followed by Fantasy Crusader and Able Millenium, all trained by Jeff and Lydia Pearce. Then came Karaoke King and a move to Julian Poulton’s yard, then Long. “My best horse is a filly, Efisio Princess, trained by John,” Fernandes says. “She cost 800gns as a yearling, purchased for us by our friend and bloodstock agent Barry Root. She gave us lots of fun, along with six victories and numerous places, helped by our fabulous jockey Richard Thomas. She was retired at the
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end of 2012 and is living a pampered life. “I’ve been an incredibly lucky owner as every horse I’ve been involved with has won. I do not bet on any of them; I’m involved purely for the thrill of seeing the horses run and the social side. In the early 2000s it was a standing joke amongst weighing rooms that I went racing more than jockeys.” Fernandes says that she is impressed by Long, his assistant Stef Cassidy and racing manager Peter Saxon, adding: “The yard’s owners are all a really friendly bunch and we’re all great friends. The horses definitely come first, closely followed by the dogs, cats and guinea pigs, but sadly no more big pigs!” Of her recent exhilarating success, she says: “Despite having several club winners at Yarmouth, my favourite course, my dream had always been to have a winner there in my own colours. It came true when Entrapping won with Jimmy Quinn. It was such a thrill sharing the day with my co-owners and friends, Evelyn, Frank and Val, and of course John and Stef.” Fernandes continues: “A close second-best thing about being an owner to having a winner is all the lovely friends I’ve made – owners, trainers, jockeys and racecourse staff. The worst is not knowing until 48 hours before a race if you’re definitely going to run - all my social engagements are accepted with the proviso ‘as long as the horse isn’t running’, but there is obviously no control over this!” If there was a disheartening aspect of Entrapping’s victory it was that it brutally underlined a lack of financial progress. “My first winner was on January 20, 2000 and I won £1,941; my win in a similar race on October 29 was £1,940,” says Fernandes. “While bookmakers don’t have to pay levy on offshore operations, nothing will change.”
In late December/early January all members activated on to the 2014 scheme will receive a letter of confirmation, and booklet of over 1,300 participating fixtures. ROA members who qualify do not need to apply for this benefit, it is an automated process. If you believe yourself to be eligible for the benefit and do not receive your booklet by January 10, please call the ROA office.
Diary dates and reminders DECEMBER 5
ROA Horseracing Awards The Awards honour the elite performers of the Flat and jump seasons and their owners. The evening, sponsored by Weatherbys Hamilton, has a new venue, the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London.
JANUARY 1
Car park label The new parking label comes into force. Labels will be sent automatically to members during December (see above).
JANUARY 16
Owners’ Seminar The BHA is hosting an owners’ seminar for ROA members at their offices in Holborn, central London. The one-day seminar is designed to enlighten owners on a number of topics, including interference and rules relating to use of the whip. There will also be an update on doping control and inside information.
JANUARY 31
Trainer visit to Donald McCain A tour of Bankhouse Stables in Cheshire for ROA members (see page 82).
MARCH 11-14
Cheltenham Festival Marquee The ROA will have a facility for members in the tented village area. An application form will be mailed out in the new year. Bookings for all ROA events can be made online at racehorseowners.net or by calling the ROA on 020 7152 0200.
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER