AUGUST NEWSLETTER

Promising two-year-old filly Vagrant ran a bold third in the listed Oaklands Plate on Saturday July 16 at Morphettville. Vagrant has made an impressive start to her career, beating the older horses on debut at Swan Hill, making the step to Flemington in the 2yo sprint final, beaten a length and now adding black type to her pedigree at only her third career start.

After settling back in the field, Vagrant was the eye-catching runner with a big run against the track pattern, taking considerable ground of the two tearaway leaders. There is no doubt this filly will be in for a big three-year-old season, we hope she can improve her stakes placing to a stakes victory!
Freedman purchased the filly at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale and has been a fantastic addition to the stable.

Born and raised at Twin Hills stud, principal Olly Tait “always had a high opinion of her.” Vagrant is out of My Obsession (Lonrho), who was a consistent city performer and a horse Freedman worked with as foreman with Darren Weir. Freedman loved the filly from the first time he laid eyes on her, her professionalism and kind nature has translated into a bold start to her racing career.

We caught up with 18-year-old Maddy Gass and ex-racehorse Noble Vision, who was lightly raced having only one start following a tendon issue. He has settled into his new career seamlessly, with Maddy setting goals for low level eventing or dressage.

Affectionally known around the stables at ‘Lance’, the big white face was hard to miss. Lance has been with Maddy now for four months, we can’t help but notice the thoroughbreds versatilely and willingness to please. Maddy is doing a fantastic job with him, we can’t wait to see the pair kicking goals together.

From only six starts, Southern Moon captured the hearts of racing followers throughout his 2019
spring campaign. He was marginally beaten in the Derby trial, perhaps the shortest price winner
ever at Donald with Ric Melntesh’s famous “good luck in the derby son” call which is etched in racing folklore.

Southern Moon who was adored by many has unfortunately succumbed to injury, a sad time for the
team as we officially retire one of our stable favourites. The big speckled grey who was fondly known around the traps as ‘Goggles’, was a gallant second in the 2019 Victoria Derby ever so close to bringing Freedman his elusive group 1.

We will miss him not only on the racecourse but his presences around the stables will also be felt, but an amazing retirement awaits him as clerk of the course with Kate Newton.

“He might not be a champion in everyone’s eyes, but he is in ours”.

Owner of the month Graeme Colbert

Graeme can clearly remember the day, “this magnificent, big red stallion walked into the mounting yard. That was the day that really hooked me on racing, I’d never seen anything as beautiful or as imposing as this horse. He was a wonderful looking animal”.

“I talk to my kids about the day, I can still picture it clearly now. The sun was out, beaming down on the purple silks with white spots on this beautiful chestnut. It was wonderful”.

Graeme explains, “he won every weight for age race from 6 furlongs to a mile and a half, he won heaps of handicaps and was nearly unbeatable over a two seasons from memory”.

Graeme has three horses with Mitch Freedman Racing, in Vagrant, Birthday Suit and Tizso Fab. When looking to join a racing stable, Graeme wanted a more direct line of contact with a trainer and felt going through a syndicator that may be lost. Graeme feels the communication at Freedman Racing is really great, “they keep you really up to date with the horses. It’s been a difficult time with covid to visit, but I’ve been kept up to date and I feel like I’m welcome to arrange a time to visit the stable anytime”.

Graeme offered, “being involved with racing has been a great way to meet new people who have a similar interest. Again it’s been a bit hard with covid the last few years, but I’ve made some great friends along the way. We had a great day out in Adelaide with Vagrant, enjoyed a few drinks and had a really nice day and a great weekend”.

Thanks for your time Graeme we really appreciate it, and best of luck for the new season!

Tizso Fab (pictured left side)

This month we caught up with Maddy Gallagher who has recently come on board at Mitch Freedman Racing. We asked her about her favourite horse in the stable and why, Maddy reported he striking son of Maurice was a stand out to her. “I felt instantly connected to him, I couldn’t tell you why. Perhaps because he’s got a real character”. He is small in statuette, but he is a natural athlete who finds things easy. The black gelding goes by stable named ‘Beast’, which is rather fitting. He likes to be kept busy on the ground, and with a rider on his back.