ABs legend taking names
Donald part-owner of filly with name to be decided by the public
Her ownership ranks might include All Blacks legend Stephen Donald, but the naming of social racing’s latest filly will not be left to Beaver. Stephen Donald, best known by his nickname Beaver, has joined the ownership of a 2-year-old Darci Brahma filly out of Evana, raced on a shared lease between her breeder The Oaks Stud and the Social Racing No 3 Syndicate.
The filly will be trained Cambridge by Brendon Hawtin.
“I’m very excited about it and I can’t wait for it all to happen. It’s still early days, but it’s exciting times,” at Donald said. “She’s a beautiful horse — she’s got champion written all over her. I was a little bit nervous when I had to lead the filly around the stable though.”
Handpicked by The Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams from six 2-year-olds the stud had retained to race after jockey Craig Grylls had ridden all six and given his opinion, the filly will get her name from public entries.
The person who submits the successful name wins a share in the syndicate ownership of the filly for her racing career.
“It’s a bit of humour but obviously with my nickname and the connotations from it, we’ve got to be a bit careful as far as getting it past the racing authorities,” Donald said.
Donald, whose successful penalty kick won the All Blacks the 2011 Rugby World Cup and secured him a place in New Zealand sporting folklore, will make a shortlist of 10 names from the public submissions, with the final decision on naming lying with Williams and dependent on New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing approval.
The Social Racing No 3 Syndicate, managed by Brent Cooper, already races successful gallopers Aotearower and Celtic Cross.
The syndicate is restricted to 100 members and Cooper expects the remaining shares to be quickly snared with Donald’s involvement.
“We’re thrilled to have Beaver involved and it’s already generated a lot of interest and will only continue to do so, especially when it comes time for the filly to race,” Cooper said.
“He’s a real sporting icon in New Zealand, thanks chiefly to one kick. But as well as that, he’s just a really genuine guy, really easy to get along with, and he’s instantly clicked with the horse.
‘‘He’s always wanted to own a racehorses and he was totally relaxed around her — he’s a natural.”
Cooper said Hawtin already had a good opinion of the filly.
“She’s a good-sized filly, really mature and a great relaxed attitude. Brendon really likes her,” he said.
Cooper has loved running the social racing syndicates, especially because the small-time owners never had any inflated expectations and had cherished wins. ICE HOCKEY