King Colorado’s Queensland owners dreaming of a big spring

By Jordan Gerrans

They were the ecstatic scenes written into the history books of racing in the Sunshine State forever – King Colorado’s first-time owners celebrating a Group 1 triumph that they never imagined they could win.

The crop of 47 rookie owners – many of which were Queensland locals – filled the mounting yard at Eagle Farm as their boom colt claimed the prized J.J. Atkins crown of 2023.

They are scenes that are unlikely ever to be repeated again in a winter carnival in the state.

A couple of months on from those special celebrations, the team behind King Colorado are planning for a big upcoming spring carnival as well as the longevity of ownership in racing.

King Colorado is raced by the newly launched Stable of Stars concept, which leases gallopers and finds new owners, many of which are getting into a horse for the first time.

Stable of Stars was formed to give everyday people who usually couldn't afford to be an owner, the chance to experience the thrill of being along for the journey.

Stable of Stars has recently appointed a Young Owners Ambassador – which is an honorary position – with an aim of enticing fledgling people into the sport.

Brisbane university student John Steinmetz has taken on the role on top of his project management studies. 

Steinmetz is a part-owner in King Colorado alongside Christian Jantzen, who is also Head of Growth and Acquisition at Stable of Stars.

Jantzen referred to Steinmetz as ‘one of the smartest kids he has ever come across’ and believes he will be an asset to the industry in the long term. 

“John is a young guy who has always been passionate about horse racing but never thought he would be able to get into ownership,” Jantzen said.

“He loved the concept and as a punter got involved with Stable of Stars.

“We identified him as someone who we want involved, the new generation of horse ownership, so John has taken on an ambassador role with us.

“He represents all of our young owners that are getting into ownership for the first time through our stable.

“I am learning from John all the time, he has a bright future in the racing industry. As John will tell you, the experience you can have owning a horse – you can’t buy that. He has had the time of his life.”

Steinmetz's family is steeped in racing history from the Kempsey area in NSW with multiple generations involved in the caper. 

Steinmetz is one of 10 Queensland-based owners in the emerging colt that is their stable star. 

"Our goal really around Queensland is to create a platform for young people," Steinmetz said of the Young Owners Ambassador role within Stable of Stars.

"Racing can be a tough sport to get into if you do not grow up around horses, so it is about having a group of young people to be able to talk about the sport and get involved. 

"I am thrilled to be in this position and get my foot in the door in racing.

"Hopefully this is a gateway to get more young people into racing."

Anthony Steinmetz – John’s father – is also along for the ride with King Colorado.

With the time-honoured J.J. Atkins for two-year-old’s already on their resume, the Stable of Stars and King Colorado team are now planning towards a big spring carnival of 2023 through Sydney and Melbourne.

The now three-year-old son of UK stallion Kingman resumed on Saturday afternoon in the 2023 Winx Stakes following two trials.

Racing outside of his age group for the first time in his short career, King Colorado did not figure in the finish at Randwick but he was far from disgraced on the big stage.

The colt was less than three lengths behind the winner at the post and the enthusiastic Queensland-based owners took a lot from the first-up effort, according to the Sunshine Coast-based Jantzen.

“I thought he went really well actually, running ninth on the surface of it all isn’t the best but it was a big step up in class from his own age group to the big guns,” Jantzen said. 

“Let’s face it, it was a big jump in grade.

“To finish within three lengths of the winner, I think that shows that he belongs in that grade and it gives us something to look forward to through the spring.

“I think he will learn a lot from that, things did not go his way and he found a lot of traffic in the straight. He showed he has come back well.”

Stable of Stars got the ball rolling with King Colorado as their maiden starter as an ownership group and now they have as many as 14 owners on the books.

It is hoped more Queenslanders will get involved with the concept by organisers.

“I love all our owners but especially the ones up here in Queensland, we had the time of our lives with King Colorado,” Jantzen said.

Looking ahead from Saturday’s Winx Stakes, King Colorado is likely to have another trial and then target the 2023 Golden Rose Stakes for three-year-old's in late September at Rosehill.

He then heads south of the border to the Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne.

“We are dreaming big with him, he is nominated for the Cox Plate,” Jantzen said.

“If he is able to win the Caulfield Guineas, then he would probably get into the Cox Plate.

"We are looking forward to the Golden Rose now over 1400 metres and I think he will be suited to that race.

“The Caulfield Guineas is his grand final, there is no doubt about that. That is the one we really want.”