Henderson tribute to champion Sebring

GOLD Coast part-owner of Group 1 winner Sebring, Luke Henderson, has paid tribute to the horse who changed his life.

Henderson and brother David had shares in the 2008 Golden Slipper Stakes winner that went on to also be a champion stallion after just six months of racing.

“He changed my life,” Henderson (pictured) said of Sebring who died from a heart attack at Widden Stud on Saturday at the age of 13.

“He was my first Group 1 winner, and it was a big one with the Slipper.

“It made me realise I can win any race and from that point on things started to go onwards and upwards.

“It opened the door to the breeding world for me and the contacts there.

“It gave me a lot of great memories and was a great thrill for everyone to win a big race like that.”

The Henderson brothers paid $19,750 for their share in the horse, bought for $130,000, and picked up $3 million when Sebring was sold to stud for around $30 million.

They bought back into the horse as a stallion.

Henderson said they visited Sebring numerous times at Widden Stud with his family.

“The deal with Widden wasn’t the highest but it seemed to be the best spot for him,” Henderson said.

“Widden Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. Nearly every year we would go down and see him during the stallion parades or other times we were in the vicinity.

“We would pop down with the kids and give him a pat.”

Sebring was the sire of 51 stakes winners, including five Group 1 horses, and was seventh on the Australian general sires’ table by earnings. His 95 winners have amassed $5,995,980 in prizemoney.