Brothers share Redzel glory
WHEN classy sprinter Redzel created history by winning the inaugural $10 million Everest — the richest race on turf in the world — at Randwick last Saturday, two Tasmanians shared in the glory.
Brothers Mark and Michael Waddington were looking to find something they could do together with some of the money they inherited following their mother Vonnie Waddington’s death in late 2013.
They came up with the idea of buying a share of a thoroughbred yearling but never thought for a second that it would amount to much.
The yearling cost the Waddingtons $8995 for a 5 per cent share and, when it came time to registering the ownership papers, Mark’s name went into the system with the understanding that any expenses and returns would always be shared equally between the brothers.
“When my brother and I were kids, we used to play in the stables at our late grandmother’s property at Cressy and it was way back then that we both developed a love of horses,” Mark, of Launceston, said.
“When our Mum passed away, we decided that having a share in a racehorse would be a good idea because it was something we could do together and that it would be a bit of fun.
“When it came time to submit names for the horse, we came up with Redzel, so that makes it even more special.
“Our Dad used to have a bet on the horses and I can re- member sitting with him and my brother on a Saturday afternoon listening to the races on a little radio in the backyard at home and that’s where the interest was sparked.
“When Redzel started racing, we were quite excited because he won at his first start in Sydney but not for a second did we ever think he would do what he has done since.”
Redzel went on to win multiple Group races and in May he ended a solid campaign with victory in the $700,000 Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand in Queensland.
The five-year-old was spelled and returned to racing with a win in a Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick and followed up with a win in a Group 2 race at the same track that netted his owners another $115,000 but that paled into insignificance compared with the Everest win.
The Waddingtons were at Randwick with their immediate families to watch the race on Saturday and Mark says it is a day they will never forget.
“When I heard the race caller say ‘Redzel has booted clear’, I had this weird but amazing feeling run through my body like I’ve never experienced before and what unfolded after he won was unbelievable.
“We always knew that buying into a racehorse was a bit of a raffle because you never really know what you’re going to get but if you accept that you might never get a return from the outset, then anything that comes your way is a bonus.
“It is a ride we never expected and now we are part-owners of the horse that won the richest race on turf in the world. It’s bloody fantastic.”
The $5.8 million first prize from the Everest has taken the gelding’s stake earnings to $7,195,250.