The Map: Richard Sadek and Michael Crossin breed Tassie’s Melbourne Cup hopeful
It’s been 52 years since a Tasmanian horse won the Melbourne Cup. Read why two old school friends think they’ve bred a winner.
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As knockabout Glenorchy schoolboys Richard Sadek and Michael Crossin never dreamed that one day they would breed a runner in the Melbourne Cup.
They met when they were just seven years-old and a life-long bond and friendship was forged.
Living not far from Elwick racecourse, the pair loved horses and now The Map, a 6yo mare they bred in Tasmania – and sold for $35,000 three years ago and who has amassed winnings of $865,000 – will start in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
They are hoping the beautiful natured stayer will triumph over the field of international horses worth millions.
Richard is still a part-owner but Michael gave up his share because he had too many other horses.
“We’ve been interested in horse racing since our school days at St Virgil’s College,” Richard says.
“Michael and I have jointly owned 11 horses since purchasing This Moment in January 2012.”
Before moving to Elwick, Michael’s grandfather was a blacksmith/farrier and ran his business from a shop at Glenorchy which Richard’s dad pulled down to build a newsagency.
He remembers being captivated by Richard’s knowledge of Tulloch, a racehorse born in 1954, and motor racing legend Jack Brabham.
“Richard knew so much because he used to sell the Mercury on Saturday nights and would read about them,” Michael said.
“To keep fit Richard and I used to run around the track in our 20s but not in the morning when the horses were training.”
The Map was born on November 1 in 2018 at Armidale Stud at Carrick in northern Tasmania and the sixth daughter bred from Alpine Eagle who cost $5000 and This Moment.
She was sold at the Adelaide Magic Millions in 2021 to her current South Australian trainers Oopy MacGillivray and her partner Dan Clarken.
The couple, who own the horse with many others, named her The Map as a tribute to the state where she was born and Tasmania being left off the map during the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Richard and Michael say it was the “best thing they ever did” keeping her in SA because they believed there were not enough long distance races in Tasmania.
Richard is optimistic about her chances in the Cup and Michael is just proud she is a starter.
“If you’re in the race you can win it,” Michael said.
“Whatever she does it is a good effort to get there.
“I’m not expecting too much because it is a huge test.”
The Map and her mother This Moment were both recognised at the recent Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing awards being named best brood mare and leading Tasmanian mare for 2023-24.
Richard is confident she will do well after just missing out on the Melbourne Cup last year but winning another race on the Cup card by four lengths.
“She’ll do well. She is a beautiful looking racehorse with a characteristic of never giving up in races,” he said.
“The Map has achieved first place in a number of high profile competitive stakes races over the last 12 months.
“She has become much more mature as a world class race horse and will be highly competitive.
“She is a proven long-distance winner.
“Tasmania hasn’t had many horses in the Cup and this is an international race that stops the nation.
“This will give Tasmania international exposure.”
As Michael says: “We hope all Tasmanians will be cheering her on at 3pm on Tuesday.”
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