Lorilie Cunningham eyes another big-race win in The Everest with Storm Boy and Stefi Magnetica
Queensland owner Lorilie Cunningham will have the last laugh if Storm Boy can win The Everest after suggestions the colt hasn’t lived up to the hype.
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Queenslander Lorilie Cunningham couldn’t help but feel offended when her colt Storm Boy was being labelled a high-profile flop earlier this year, which will matter for little if her family can cap off an incredible year in The Everest on Saturday.
Cunningham, along with her family, have won Queensland’s two most coveted races in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap this year and now have their sights set on Sydney riches with Storm Boy and Stefi Magnetica.
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Storm Boy has bounced back after failing to live up to his huge price tag when breeding giants Coolmore purchased an interest in him before the autumn, but it is nowhere near the comeback in life from Cunningham, who is now in remission from breast cancer herself.
While Storm Boy now races in the royal Coolmore blue colours, Cunningham said he is still very much a family favourite.
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“I felt a bit like a proud mum and I was very offended for him when everyone was saying all those things about him being the worst stallion deal ever,” Cunningham laughed.
“I felt so offended for him and then he came back and won like he did (in the San Domenico).”
Cunningham shares a close relationship with Storm Boy’s trainerGai Waterhouse and said she was a key player behind the scenes in securing a slot in the race for him, after it was revealed Coolmore was considering running Chris Waller’s Switzerland instead.
“She called me last week and she does make me laugh,” Cunningham said.
“She knows what she wants and she got it in the end, I love that about her.
“Adrian did the final sort of negotiations with Tom Magnier, but I am sure Gai was in his ear.
“I understand why they were holding back, Tom had to make the decision he did and I think in the end everyone was happy with the decision.”
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Stefi Magnetica is named after Cunningham’s daughter-in-law and son Mitchell’s wife Stephanie, with Lorilie saying racing brings her family together.
“This year has been incredible,” she said.
“It was really special to have all the family there when we won the two big races, so now we will see what Saturday brings.
“It is very cute (Storm Boy and Stefi Magnetica) are running from barriers right next door to each other.
“These are my favourite days, it is so special to have a business and in interest we feel so passionately about, it brings us all together.”
Originally published as Lorilie Cunningham eyes another big-race win in The Everest with Storm Boy and Stefi Magnetica
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