The Duffy dream rolls on

The past few days couldn’t possibly get any better for the Inter Dominion-winning owners Steven and Julie Duffy and there have been no shortage of well-wishers caught up in the jubilation and joining in the party.

After leaving Menangle on Saturday night with the 2021 Inter Dominion winners’ Cup, rug and garland, thanks to their pacer Boncel Benjamin, just a couple of days later the couple, of Congupna near Shepparton, were presented with a new grandson.

Youngest son Ryan and his partner Jemima welcomed Illi into the world, the couple’s second child and a little brother for their five-year-old daughter Elbe.

And with the old saying of good things coming in threes, Julie reckons she’s off to buy a lotto ticket!

“It’s just all unreal- our new little grandson Illi just tops off an absolutely unforgettable week,” Julie said.

“We are both pinching ourselves that it has all actually happened – but I did get a statement from the NSW harness racing authority saying $239,000 had been deposited into our account so I guess it is all real!”

The couple were only too happy to shout the bar during Tuesday night’s meeting at their home track of Shepparton.

Steven put it out there and around 50 family and friends were only too happy to be part of the celebrations, holding the ID21 Cup aloft and even the customary drink from it.

“It was just the best night. Plenty of laughs and lots of fun. We’ve unofficially named it ‘Duffs Bar’ now. But it was humbling to take the cup to a big group of people who have supported us along the way and were just so excited like we were,” Steve said.

“I don’t know what time we finished up. It was a bit after the last race and I know we were the last to leave. It’s been like a dream. You can’t believe it’s true,” Julie said.

“A big thanks goes out to everyone who turned up. I reckon we’ll party until next year.”

Steven said he’d been back to work with his team of horses since arriving home on Sunday afternoon.
He said it was difficult to concentrate, but with runners at Kilmore and Cobram this week, he was doing his best.