Who needs a billboard?
Winning four of the first five races on J&B Met day has cast the spotlight yet again on South African horseracing’s meanest marketing machine. Despite the disappointment of not winning a Group feature on the day, the Snaith Racing team hogged the limelight with their deft polished touches.
The refreshing image of the dashingly elegant grooms, horse blankets that talk of Facebook and Twitter, and a general enthusiasm and smile, put the Snaiths first on the youthful ‘very with it’ energy list. And they have the winning record to match.
The highlight of the Snaith afternoon was undoubtedly the smooth win by the Klawervlei Stud-bred Only Emily, who gave her rivals a galloping lesson in the R125 000 Listed Grandwest Casino & Entertainment World Summer Juvenile Stakes.
The international owners of the Captain Al filly were over the moon, and the story as to how they acquired her and how she landed up at the Snaiths, spoke once again of the basics of good old fashioned relationship building and networking.
Only Emily lead in at the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes
Impressed
The group came out on invitation to the 2012 Cape Premier Yearling Sale with Bloodstock Consultant Peter Doyle, a man well known in local racing circles. Nicky Stafford takes up the story:
“We were impressed by the hospitality and professionalism on our visit to the big Cape Sale last year and it was not long before James (Stafford) and Peter (Doyle) had fallen in love with a certain beautiful filly called, Only Emily.We had diversified to racing in France, and South Africa had always seemed another good option.”
Appeal
Nicky went on to explain that when the choice of a trainer was discussed, they had taken advice as they had been given a list of a good few with top credentials.They support twenty different yards in the UK.
“There are some serious trainers in the Cape. But after talking to friends, including Gaynor Rupert, the Snaiths appealed to us. They reminded us of the Hannon team in England. A nice close family operation, with plenty of youthful enthusiasm and the successful results to go with it,” she said.
“Their communication is world-class and the results are there.That Listed feature win put the cherry on the top of a delightful day of racing for us, and we return home this week having had a thoroughly memorable time. We can’t wait to come back!” she said.
Since its establishment in 1995, Thurloe Thoroughbreds has gained a well-founded reputation for managing successful and enjoyable racing syndicates.
Royal Ascot
Thurloe partnerships, embracing both the Flat and National Hunt, have had victories at many of the sport’s leading meetings with triumphs at Royal Ascot, Goodwood, the Epsom Derby meeting, York’s Ebor fixture, Newmarket and Cheltenham.
Its stars have included the 2002 Champion Sprinter Kyllachy, dual Tote-Gold Trophy winner and top-class hurdler Geos and the fine sprinter Baltic King, now at stud in Ireland.
Their impressive website says that Thurloe Thoroughbreds provides the excitement and fun of racehorse ownership at an affordable price, with the risk spread over several horses. Thurloe seeks to give their members success on the racecourse as well as giving them entertainment off it.
The syndicates comprise small groups of individuals who retain all the rights and benefits of sole ownership at a fraction of the cost, but without the administration.
Thurloe was established by James Stafford, a former racing journalist who now has more than 30 years experience in the industry. James’s racing knowledge and syndicate management excellence is complemented by the support of his wife, Nicky, and Oliver Pawle, a respected City Figure.
Bloodstock
Compton Hellyer, the founder of Sporting Index, is Thurloe’s Chairman. Compton is a member of the Jockey Club and is a Director of Epsom Racecourse, the home of the Derby. James buys the horses with the help of a small and trusted team of top bloodstock agents, including the well known Peter Doyle, and uses some of the very best trainers in European racing. The results speak for themselves.
More than 70% of Thurloe’s horses have won and over £4 million has been generated through the sales of their high-class bloodstock. Last year Thurloe had a 20% strike rate with 60% of runners placed.
