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Golden Slipper: Yankee Rose owners come from all walks of life

IT might sound like the start to a joke but it’s the diverse group of owners of the Golden Slipper’s cheapest racehorse that’ll be laughing all the way to the bank if Yankee Rose gets up.

Horse Racing: Trainer Gai Waterhouse and owner John Singleton have set their sights on another Golden Slipper after Kiss And Make Up upstaged hot favourite Capitalist to win the $300,000 Todman Stakes at Randwick.

WHAT do a nurse, a farmer, an accountant, a miner, a retiree and a scaffolder all have in common?

They all own a stake in the cheapest horse taking on the Golden Slipper for a $2 million payday.

The unbeaten Yankee Rose was sold for just $10,000, making her the “cheapest” horse in the world’s richest juvenile race.

Yankee Rose in action with jockey Jason Collett.
Yankee Rose in action with jockey Jason Collett.

And these are the people who snapped her up.

Mark Royal, works in a WA gold mine

“I have had a few horses in the past and was looking at getting into racing again,’’ Royal said. “I came across Darby Racing, thought I’d take a look as a fellow worker’s nickname is Darby, and picked Yankee Rose as the syndication for me.’’

Sheila Weigall, retiree, Perth

“In early 2015 I saw a photo of Yankee Rose and liked the look of her. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that not only had I picked a winner but also a filly who became eligible for entry into the Golden Slipper Stakes.’’

Mark Slack-Smith.
Mark Slack-Smith.
Sheila Weigall.
Sheila Weigall.

Phill Davis, scaffolder, Melbourne

“I’ve raced about eight horses and been in the industry for 10 years and love it. This is my first horse with Darby Racing and is the best feeling ever to have a horse racing in a Group 1 – I’ve been waiting for this for ages. It’s a dream come true to have a horse running in the Golden Slipper.’’

Mark Slack-Smith, accountant

“I’ve been involved in three horses before Yankee Rose. I noticed this filly’s dam was a half-sister to a NZ Derby winner so I thought she would be set for an Oaks next season. This is an amazing thrill that your family and friends get to enjoy as well.’’

Golden Slipper hopeful Yankee Rose with trainer David Vandyke and owner Scott Darby at Warwick Farm. Picture: Brett Costello
Golden Slipper hopeful Yankee Rose with trainer David Vandyke and owner Scott Darby at Warwick Farm. Picture: Brett Costello

John Martin, runs a cattle station in WA

“When I first saw a photo of Yankee Rose as a yearling in a Darby Racing promotional video, I immediately appreciated her beautiful confirmation and her spirit. Her breeding was very good as well, so I decided to invest. The syndication method makes it quite affordable for people from all walks of life to participate and enjoy the ‘Sport of Kings’.’’

Brian & Christine McGee, Launceston, Tasmania

“I am a registered nurse at The Eye Hospital and Brian is the owner (and hard worker) of a paint shop called ‘Colorworld’. We have had an interest in quite a few raceshorses in ‘Tassie’ without much success. We haven’t had much success so far and quite a few only made one preparation or didn’t get to race at all! Yankee Rose has been our first ‘big city’ runner and how wonderful it’s been . We might only own 5% but the excitement of a fast finishing winner at city level is still 100% the thrill.’’

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/melbourne-cup-2013/golden-slipper-yankee-rose-owners-come-from-all-walks-of-life/news-story/18c3d2b728f54b15b464b584a1c998e3