MAY NEWSLETTER

Listen in on Mitch Freedman and Racing Manager Alex Ross, followed by a tribute to Dean Holland

Click on the video above for the full review

Lest We Forget

Vale Dean Holland
On behalf of the Mitch Freedman Racing team, we share our deepest condolences to Dean’s family, friends and the wider racing community.
A champion rider and an incredible individual who will be dearly missed.

Vagrant’s Class Prevails

Vagrant ridden by Declan Bates wins the The Big Screen Company BM58 Handicap at Bendigo Racecourse on April 11, 2023

Vagrant had an incredible first campaign, winning on debut as a two-year-old against the older horses at the Swan Hill carnival before going on to be stakes placed in Adelaide and continuing deep into the Spring, beaten only 3lengths in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes.

Freedman felt his talented filly had plenty of improvement to come, opting to give her a break instead of pushing onto the Group 1 Thousand Guineas. He was right, she come back a stronger, more complete horse.

Vagrant was a ‘good thing beaten’ at Geelong on her resumption, drawing a wide gate and forced to go back on a day that was difficult to make ground, yet luck was on her side at Bendigo. Declan Bates who has partnered Vagrant commented post-race “She’s better than this level, and she will be better up in grade and down in the weights.” Freedman now turns his attention to some restricted 3yo metropolitan racing where Vagrant will likely head next. Now full of confidence, let’s hope she can build a really strong campaign.

There are some exciting races coming up for Vagrant over the remainder of the Autumn and into the winter months, with targets such as the Leilani & Silver Bowl series coming up. We will see her at the races again towards the end of the month and are excited to see how she goes back in metropolitan company.

Connections of Vagrant after winning the The Big Screen Company BM58 Handicap on April 11, 2023 Bendigo

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ALEX ROSS | Racing Manager
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Owner Of The Month Wendy McCarthy

Wendy McCarthy pictured with Platinum Secretary (Maggie)

Sprinter or Stayer?
Sprinters, most of ours have run over 1200-1600 metres.

Filly or Colt?
Fillies

Favourite race horse?
Would have to be Winx or Black Caviar, you can’t go past them.

What’s the race you’d love to win, and why?
A Saturday city winner, but any win is great!

Wendy’s Life Mantra
Always try and have a positive outlook on life and it’s challenges

Wendy McCarthy grew up with ponies and is no stranger to our fast four-legged friends, it was destiny when she met her partner Pete a horse racing enthusiast who soon converted her to racing.

Wendy explains, “I use to muck out boxes 40 odd years ago for $40 a week, and that would cover my rent,” oh how times have changed.

“I worked for one of the first video and photographers on the race track, I use to do the race finish as well as the return to scale photos at Tatura, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Swan Hill just to name a few.”

Over the last 40 years or so the couple have shared an excitement in at least 30 different race horses. The couple are not shy of a challenge working as owner – trainers, to now trying their hand at breeding on their 40 acre Tarnook-based property.

“We chose Mitch back in 2014 when he was in Warrnambool to take over the training of two mares we owned Valdori and Edge Of Mandala, they’d just had enough with the previous trainer.”

“Valdori had done a hamstring with the previous trainer, and that kind of gave us the perfect opportunity to look for a sea change as you’d say.” Explains Wendy.

Both Voldori and Edge Of Mandala went on to win two races each after joining the Warrnambool stable under Mitch’s care. During this time Mitch was in the process of becoming a fully licenced trainer. “We wrote a letter of recommendation to the stewards for his application.”

“ With racing the highs are high, and the lows are low.”

“During foaling last season Valdori was tragically lost, we have two of her progeny in training with Mitch at Ballarat at the moment. Platinum Secretary and Platinum Executive, who are half-brother and half-sister to Group 3 winner Platinum Kingdom.

“Valdori gave Mitch his first win in his newly registered colours, over the years he’s trained about nine horses for us and has the two currently in work that we bred.”

“We’re not syndicators, because you need a special license for that. They are leased to myself, I am the manager of the lease and then we add other people in. We bring people in who are family and friends, people who want to get into racing without it costing them a lot of money.”

“To be able to introduce people who may not normally get into racing, who may not normally get that opportunity or experience.”

“For us to be able to take someone on that ride, to experience the thrill of racing. That’s what we do it for.”

Thank you for your time Wendy and Pete, we look forward to getting your horses onto the race track and hope to see them a Saturday city winner in the near future!

Platinum Executive as a foal

Unthinkable too smart at Warracknabeal

Unthinkable ridden by Tahlia Hope wins the Warrack Motel Maiden Plate at Warracknabeal Racecourse on April 08, 2023

Freedman has continued his success with the Churchill progeny, with Unthinkable, a daughter of Churchill winning at her second career start. Unthinkable saluted in the Roll The Dice Racing silks and it is always pleasing to have a winner in their colours as they are great supporters of the stable.

Unthinkable has continued to improve throughout her preparation this time in, taking a big leap forward in every jump out and improved into racing. She made her debut at Swan Hill on March 19 and was very unlucky not to finish closer. A great ride by Tahlia Hope saw Unthinkable settle in the one out one back position and she was able to dominate the race, running away for a 2.5length victory.

Freedman is impressed with the improvement she has made and no doubt there is further improvement to come with race experience. “Unthinkable arrived to us from another stable last prep and we didn’t think she had the strength or maturity to get to the races. She has taken all the right steps during this preparation and it was pleasing to see her get a win on the board.”

Freedman found another Churchill filly he was very impressed with at Melbourne Premier, lot 148 ex So Devine (High Chapparal). Shares are available with her, and we encourage you to join on the Freedman x Churchill bandwagon! Contact Alex to get involved.

Congratulations to connections of Unthinkable!

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Employee of the Month Maddy Rumler

Lisa Matthews with Maddy Rumler (right)

Maddy Rumler is a lady of many talents. She rides track work and exercises the horses, as well as helping on the ground from saddling, washing, feeding or taking care of horse welfare at the end of each morning wrapping a horse or putting on a bandage when it’s needed.

You will often see Maddy at the races or trials strapping for the team, she also worked on the front line during our Open Day parading some of our young stock.

Maddy’s knowledge and horse experience is an integral part to our team. This month we acknowledge her efforts and dedication to the team, she has stepped up to each task and adapted quickly to the fast paced environment we work in.

Thank you for your efforts Maddy, we really appreciate it!

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Staff pick of the month

Pictured with Samurai Star (Impact), one of her favourites in the stable. Franny Chabbeot who is all the way from France shares a passion for horses going back to her childhood from age 9, when she started riding ponies.

Franny and her twin sister visited Australia in 2020 but their trip was cut short due to the bush fires, they loved it so much they decided to come back again. Their intention this time around was to work for one month, and travel for one month so on and so fourth. But they are now thinking of staying as long as one to two years as they are really enjoying life in Australia, lucky for us!

You can clearly see the passion and care Franny has for the horses, and by the looks of it they love her back just as much. We’re lucky to have them in our stable, we hope the twin sister from France never leave!