The fairy tale behind Bathurst’s Gold Chalice winner

The results and fairy tale behind the winner and second placegetter of Bathurst’s Gold Chalice final epitomises what it means to be involved in the harness racing industry.

It is about the people, the relationships, the hard work, the lengthy process involved in breeding and then racing a horse and fortunately for Llowalong Farms this race on March 25, 2022, captured every aspect of this journey. 

Musical Delight (bred, raced and owned by Lauriston Bloodstock) is the dam of Ripp (and also of Young Rooster and Beach Music) and on September 19, 2017, this Bettors Delight mare was bred to frozen semen sire sensation – Somebeachsomewhere – at Llowalong Farms/Northern Rivers Equine Vet Clinic.

Just one day over 12 months later Ripp was born on September 20, 201, I Dr. Kath McIntosh, still remember the night we assisted a massive foal (later to be called Ripp) into the world.

He was weaned (almost as big as his mum at that stage) and handled at Llowalong Farms, then prepped for the sales by Llowalong Farms and sold to Wayne and Julie Loader in 2020 on behalf of Lauriston Bloodstock.

Ripp showed extremely promising form as a two-year-old winning his first start against older pacers in impressive fashion.

He then had a severe paddock accident that sidelined him for the rest of the two-year-old season, much to the disappointment of the Loader’s and trainer Bernie Hewitt.

They persevered with his lengthy recovery and he returned as a three-year-old, winning his first start back. This was then followed by a third and then a first in the Heat of the Llowalong Farms Gold Chalice.

This culminated in winning the final of the Llowalong Farms Gold Chalice in dominating style. What an amazing achievement for Bathurst locals and the extremely popular owners Wayne and Julie Loader, Bernie Hewitt the trainer and Doug Hewitt the driver. 

And what a thrill for Llowalong Farms! To be involved in this horse’s journey right from conception to winning the final of the race sponsored by Llowalong Farms was just a fairy tale come true.

This story illustrates the astute breeding by Bill and Anne Anderson of Lauriston Bloodstock, the management of the horse by the Llowalong Farms team to offer a well-grown out and mature athlete at the yearling sales, the keen eye of Wayne Loader and Bernie Hewitt to purchase the colt at the sales and their care and dedication to him through injury to have him return in such incredible form.

Wayne and Julie Loader have teamed up again with Bernie Hewitt and breeders Lauriston Bloodstock and Llowalong Farms to purchase Ripp’s half brother (Art Major colt) at the 2022 Nutrien Sydney sales.

Can we have a repeat performance of this relationship in the future? Congratulations to everyone involved and an extremely proud moment for the Llowalong Farms team!

As a vet clinic/stud farm Northern Rivers Equine Vet Clinic and Llowalong Farms also contributed to the second placegetter’s journey through life, Commander Buzz.

By Betting Line, is bred and owned by Hugh and Lorraine Cathels.

Star Chaser, his dam, has been an incredible mare giving birth to 14 foals during her lifetime. She was born in 1993 and Commander Buzz was bred by embryo transfer with Northern Rivers Equine Vet Clinic/Llowalong Farms in 2017.

She was 24 years old at this time and Commander Buzz was to be her last foal.

What an incredible dam she has been and an incredible team effort to obtain an embryo at this stage of her life.

Owned and bred by the long-time and successful breeder Helen Head, Star Chaser’s two daughters Our Star Dust and Stratospheric had their first foals prepped by Llowalong Farms this year. The Bettors Delight x Our Star Dust filly topped the Melbourne APG sale this year at $100k!! Watch the legacy of this great mare continue through her well-bred daughters!

Llowalong Farms would like to wish all connections of these horses a big congratulations on their success. The Llowalong Farms team is so proud and thrilled to have been a part of the journey with these horses and the people they represent. This is exactly why we do what we do at Llowalong Farms where high quality service is our priority for both the people and the horses. We take great delight in supporting the industry that supports us in sponsorship and results like this are a dream come true!

Don’t forget to drop down to see us at the 2022 Nutrien Melbourne Sale on April 3 and buy yourself a champion for the future.

By Dr. Kath McIntosh