HomeStellar rise of learner racehorse owners to Valedictorian graduates
Stellar rise of learner racehorse owners to Valedictorian graduates
February 21, 2022
Harness, Owners
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Harness, Owners
Since the start of February, Kristen and Tony Barnard have leaped from being harness racing rookies to winning owners and by the end of the month they could be Group One victors.
The husband-and-wife team joined the inaugural Harness the Dream competition with the idea of learning about the trots and were thrilled to win first prize of a 10 per cent share in a two-year-old standardbred called Valedictorian on February 4.
Just 11 days later Valedictorian ran his first race and won, claiming a place in the Group 1 $100,000 two-year-old APG Sales Classic on February 25.
“We couldn’t believe it when we won shares in a racehorse and we were completely speechless when he won his first race,” Kristen said.
“We suddenly have a horse in a Group 1 final. It’s an exciting introduction to harness racing.”
Kristen has a background in show horses and Tony was once a professional polo player but they no longer have horses at home, having decided to downsize from a property in Oakford to a house block in Byford with their three young sons.
“We don’t ever want to lose touch with the horse world and we’re realising we can love and enjoy horses in a different way, which is better suited to our lifestyle with kids,” Kristen said.
“Tony surprised me with a share in a thoroughbred racehorse called Cosmopolitan Girl last year so we’ve been going to the races and socialising and doing new things.
“We decided we loved racing and wanted to learn about harness racing as well. Now we’re hooked on both.
“We didn’t know anything about the trots. The Harness the Dream events were great because we could talk to racing experts and they were happy to answer all our questions.”
Head of Racing Operations David Hunter said Harness the Dream was created to introduce new owners to harness racing through two events offering an insight into the trots: A stable tour followed by the finale at Gloucester Park during the WA Pacing Cup on February 4.
“Kristen and Tony have had a rapid education from novice owners to graduates with the aptly named Group 1 contender Valedictorian,” David said.
“We’re delighted with the success of our first Harness the Dream competition, which attracted 11 teams in the draw to win first prize of a 10 per cent share in a standardbred.
“They are now members of a TrotSynd syndicate, which is an affordable way to get involved and share both the cost and excitement of racing with a group of owners.”